A host of stars came together to celebrate some of music's biggest artists at the annual O2 Silver Clef Awards, in support of music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins.
More than 1,000 guests attended the charity’s annual fundraiser at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Friday to honour winners Dame Shirley Bassey, Phil Collins, Blondie, Nile Rodgers, Emeli Sande, Mumford & Sons, Pete Tong, Alexander Armstrong, Anne-Marie and Little Mix. The total amount generated for Nordoff Robbins on the day was £663,000.
“Music I have always believed is magic," said Dame Shirley. "This week I was invited by Nordoff Robbins to sit in on one of their therapy sessions, and to see how each person reacted to the sound of music was truly magical. It has been magical for me because it has helped me through many a tragic moment in my life. So thank you Nordoff Robbins, for all that you do, and thank you Silver Clef Awards for this afternoon, for today. Here is to the magic of music.”
Other guests and awards presenters in attendance included Melanie C, Naughty Boy, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton, Alfie Boe, Michael Ball, Robert Plant, Jamie Theakston, Martine McCutcheon and Barry Gibb, plus Nordoff Robbins supporter Peter Andre.
During the ceremony, attendees heard how the funds being raised through the O2 Silver Clef Awards helps support vulnerable people through music therapy through Nordoff Robbins charity.
The event featured the AEG Presents Auction with music memorabilia and packages including a Phil Collins signed drum skin, a Nile Rodgers signed Fender guitar and an original James Bond Goldfinger poster signed by Dame Shirley Bassey, who won the O2 Silver Clef Award.
Since 1976, the O2 Silver Clef Awards has raised nearly £9 million for Nordoff Robbins and has been sponsored by O2 for the past 10 years. The 2017 Awards are also supported by sponsors including Ticketmaster, Royal Albert Hall, Raymond Weil, American Express, Jack Daniels, Amazon and PPL and Bose.
The full list of winners and presenters at the 2017 O2 Silver Clef Awards were:
Dame Shirley Bassey - O2 Silver Clef Award, presented by Alfie Boe & Michael Ball
Phil Collins - American Express Icon Award, presented by Eric Clapton
Blondie - Amazon Outstanding Achievement Award, presented by Johnny Marr
Nile Rodgers - Raymond Weil International Award, presented by Alice Cooper
Mumford & Sons - Royal Albert Hall Best Group Award, presented by Robert Plant
Emeli Sande - Best Female Award, accepted by Naughty Boy on behalf of Emeli Sande
Pete Tong - Bose Innovation Award, presented by Becky Tong
Anne-Marie - Jack Daniel's Best Newcomer Award, presented by Melanie C
Alexander Armstrong - PPL Classical Award, presented by Jamie Theakston
Little Mix - Ticketmaster Best Live Act Award, presented by Peter Andre
