Blur Set For BRITs Outstanding Contribution To Music Award

Blur are set to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at next year’s BRITs.

The prize wasn’t awarded at last year’s 2011 ceremony, but is being brought back for the 2012 event taking place at London’s O2 Arena.

Speaking to Music Week, Brit’s chairman David Doseph explained: ‘With Blur we have a band I’ve personally felt have deserved the award for many years - they are the perfect act to bring this award back for.

‘Blur are as popular today as they have always been. They’ve always felt like the new guard, constantly pushing the boundaries, but incredibly it is 20 years since the release of Leisure, their first album. I’ve long felt they would be worthy winners - their contribution to British music is immense.’

Damon Albarn commented: ‘It’s great to have recognition for all the work and all the heartache and all the joy that’s gone in to this band.’

‘Being in a band this long is like a kind of time travel,’ guitarist Graham Coxon added. ‘We’re the same gang we ever were, we’ve just landed in a different era. Or possibly we’re a totally different Blur still playing the old tunes in 1991 forever. I haven’t decided. But it’s always nice to get a BRIT Award.’

Other previous winners of the award include Paul McCartney, U2, Oasis and The Who. The BRIT Awards 2012 take place on February 21st next year.