- 18 Nov 2007, 01:42
#956370
Pop Queen Kylie Minogue has been honoured by the record industry at a gala ceremony in London.
The star received the Music Industry Trust's Award in recognition of her 20-year-career. She was hailed as "an icon of pop and style" who has continued to "reinvent, experiment and inspire".
The 39-year-old singer has overcome breast cancer and is about to celebrate her comeback with a new album.
The ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel featured video messages from celebrities paying tribute to Miss Minogue.
Sting told her: "I have a great deal of respect for you as an artist - and, like most men on the planet, I'm certainly not immune to your iconic beauty - but more than this, you have become a symbol of courage and of grace under pressure."
And Minogue's sister, X-Factor judge Dannii, said: "I am so proud of you. It's been an amazing journey and there's still so much more to come. It's been great to be there from the beginning."
Minogue's fellow Australian Barry Humphries, better known as Dame Edna Everage, said in his message: "Kylie, you are a triumphant artist. You've managed to have this tremendous career which goes on and on, and which began with Neighbours - my friend Dame Edna always wanted to be in that show."
Minogue is the first woman in the event's 16-year history to receive the award. Previous holders include Sir George Martin and Sir Elton John. She is also the youngest.
"It is an incredible honour to be the recipient of this year's Music Industry Trust's Award and I am truly thrilled to be recognised in this way," she said.
"I'm just trying to take in this moment. It's absolutely surreal. To be recognised in this way and to be the first woman to receive this honour makes me immensely proud."
She first topped the UK chart in January 1988 with debut hit I Should Be So Lucky, and since then has sold 40 million albums worldwide. She also holds the record for the most-played female artist on UK radio.
David Munns, Chairman of the Award committee, said: "There is no doubt that of our 15 Award recipients to date, Kylie is by far the most glamorous.
"She deserves this award for her success over 20 years, staying at the top in one of the toughest professions and inspiring millions with her grace, dignity and humanity."
The ceremony in front of 1,200 guests raised money for the Brit School and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Now in its 16th year, the event has raised more than £2.7 million for the two charities.
Minogue closed the ceremony with a special performance of I Should Be So Lucky, accompanied on piano by jazz star Jamie Cullum. And she also gave her first live performance of new single 2 Hearts in a duet with Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters.
Other stars paying tribute to Minogue with video messages included U2, designers Dolce & Gabbana, film director Baz Luhrmann, Nick Cave, Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Stock, Aitken and Waterman, the producers who guided her early pop career. Last night's event raised nearly £500,000 for charity.
2 HEARTS
Novi singl "2 HEARTS" debitovao na mestu br. 1 Australijske top liste singlova.
