Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today named music legend Paul McCartney as the recipient of the third Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. An all-star tribute concert is planned for spring 2010.
"As a great admirer of the Gershwins’ songs, I am highly honored to be given the Gershwin Prize by such a great institution as the Library of Congress," McCartney said.
The prize commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, the legendary American songwriting team whose extensive manuscript collections reside in the Library of Congress. The prize is awarded to musicians whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins. The Gershwin Prize is also meant to draw attention to the musical collections in the Library of Congress, especially the vast popular-music collection, and to encourage students, teachers, scholars and researchers to use this free public resource in their scholarly investigations.
The first Gershwin Prize was awarded in May 2007 to Paul Simon, and the second to Stevie Wonder in February 2009. The two concerts were broadcast nationally on PBS and featured musical performances by Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Marc Anthony, Martina McBride, Diana Krall, Will.i.am, and Art Garfunkel among others. Stevie Wonder’s prize festivities also included the performance of a special commission, "Sketches of a Life," in the Library’s Coolidge Auditorium.
"It is hard to think of another performer and composer who has had a more indelible and transformative effect on popular song and music of several different genres than Paul McCartney," said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, who made the selection. Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool, England, on June 18, 1942. He was raised in the city and educated at the Liverpool Institute.
Since writing his first song at the age of 14, Paul McCartney has dreamed and dared to be different. In the ’60s, as the writer and co-author of The Beatles’ greatest songs, he changed the world of music. Legendary albums include: "Please Please Me," "Revolver," "Help!," "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "The White Album." Paul has continued to push boundaries over the last 30 years, first as a solo artist, then with Wings (with albums that included "Band On The Run" and "Wings at The Speed Of Sound") and following that as a solo artist again, with recent highlights including 2007’s "Memory Almost Full." Most recently he received critical acclaim as "The Fireman" (a collaborative project between Paul and revered producer Youth) with their 2008 "Electric Arguments" album.
Paul McCartney is also an accomplished, award-winning classical composer. His most recent classical album "Ecce Cor Meum" ("Behold My Heart") was released in September 2006 and won the 2007 Best Album Award at the Classical Brit Awards.
Paul was awarded a special Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2008 BRIT Awards at Earls Court in London. He was given a standing ovation by the UK music industry as he received his award and closed the prestigious ceremony with an incredible performance. Months later, Yale University presented Paul with an honorary doctorate of music. As he received his diploma, President Richard C. Levin told him, "Your songs awakened a generation, giving a fresh sound to rock ‘n’ roll, and rhythm and blues. We admire your musical genius and your generous support of worthy causes." Equally renowned as a live performer as he is a songwriter, Paul McCartney has spent much of the last five years performing sold-out concerts to millions of people all over the world including places he had never previously visited, winning rave reviews along the way. Standout moments have included 2003’s performance to more than 500,000 people outside the Coliseum in Rome and Paul’s first show in Red Square in Moscow. In 2004 he gave the Glastonbury Festival its most legendary moment to date. In 2005, he made history again as he performed live to the International Space Station to wake up NASA astronauts. Paul performed a string of secret and surprise gigs in intimate venues in London, New York, Los Angeles and Paris throughout 2007.
