Iron Maiden and Il Divo crowned Silver Clef winners

Nordoff Robbins hosted a private party this evening (23 March) to exclusively announce the first two O2 Silver Clef 2015 Award winners of 2015 – legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden and operatic pop vocal group Il Divo – and to celebrate its 40th Anniversary.

More than 100 guests, including stars of music and literature attended the party held at The Club at Café Royal, London to celebrate an iconic 40 year milestone in Nordoff Robbins' charitable history.

Iron Maiden are recipients of the prestigious O2 Silver Clef Award for outstanding contribution to UK music, in recognition of them being one of the most globally successful and influential rock bands of all time, having sold over 90 million albums worldwide and played over 2,000 concerts in 59 countries to date.

On being crowned O2 Silver Clef Award winners Iron Maiden comments, "Nordoff Robbins is an exceptional charity and their dedication to changing people's lives through music therapy is something we all very much support. We're extremely proud to receive the O2 Silver Clef Award and be part of the 40th anniversary event celebrating this wonderful achievement."

The world's first and most successful classical cross over group, Il Divo will be awarded the coveted PPL Classical Award. The multinational Opera-pop group have sold over 30 million albums worldwide, achieved 50 number one records and received 160 gold and platinum awards in over 33 countries. On their win Il Divo says, "We are honoured to be receiving the PPL Classical Award at the 40th Anniversary of the O2 Silver Clef Lunch. We are really looking forward to the event on 3rd July.

"We have seen in our own lives just how powerful music can be and it's even more incredible to see how Nordoff Robbins use music therapy to change and improve the lives of so many people."

The annual star-studded O2 Silver Clef Lunch will be held on 3 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, and since launching in 1976 the Awards have raised more than £8.5 million to fund Nordoff Robbins' music therapy work.

In the 40 year history of the O2 Silver Clef Lunch, there have been a total of 163 award winners. Some of the biggest names in the music industry have been honoured including David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, The Bee Gees, Michael Buble, Kylie Minogue, Pharrell Williams and many many more…

The very first Silver Clef Award was presented to The Who, by Twiggy, on 29 June 1976. Paul Nordoff himself came to the event to speak about his music therapy work and £12,000 was raised.

Nordoff Robbins CEO Julie Whelan says, "It is because of events like the O2 Silver Clef Awards that Nordoff Robbins is able to continue to deliver essential music therapy services to vulnerable and isolated people across the UK. Since 1976, the event has brought together artists from all areas of the music industry, raising an incredible £8.5 million in the process.

"Congratulations to our first two winners – Iron Maiden, recipients of the O2 Silver Clef Award and Il Divo who are winning the PPL Classical Award. We are honoured they will be joining us and we look forward to welcoming both artists to the lunch in July."

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