Rita Ora, Mark Ronson & Primal Scream all Silver Clef winners

Nordoff Robbins is delighted to today announce three new winners of its O2 Silver Clef Awards – Rita Ora, Mark Ronson and Primal Scream.

All artists will collect their awards at the annual star-studded O2 Silver Clef Lunch, to be held on 3 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane.

She has a number-one debut album, four number-one singles, is a coach on The Voice UK and now, in celebration of her growing list of accolades, Nordoff Robbins has crowned Rita Ora Best Female. On being awarded the highly coveted Best Female Award at the O2 Silver Clefs, Rita says,"I feel honoured to be receiving the Best Female Award at the O2 Silver Clef Lunch. It's great to be recognised by Nordoff Robbins, a charity which uses music to transform the lives of so many people."

Multi-talented international DJ, producer and artist, Mark Ronson will be awarded the American Express Innovation Award. Having produced Grammy-winning albums for artists such as Amy Winehouse and Adele, he has taken 2015 by storm by achieving his first UK and US number one single with Uptown Funk featuring Bruno Mars. On his win Ronson says,"I feel proud to be awarded the American Express Innovation Award. The O2 Silver Clef Awards is an event I've long admired, raising funds for Nordoff Robbins music therapy, a cause which I feel passionate about."

Primal Scream are recipients of the prestigious Investec Icon Award for their unforgettable contribution to shaping the 1990s indie pop scene. Taking influences from psychedelic, garage rock and dance music, the band broke into the mainstream with their 1991 generation defining album Screamadelica. On being crowned Investec Icon Award winners Primal Scream says, "It's a real honour to be awarded the Investec Icon Award at the 40th anniversary of the O2 Silver Clef Awards. We are looking forward to the event on 3rd July."

Nordoff Robbins has already announced legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden as winners of the highly coveted O2 Silver Clef Award and operatic pop vocal group Il Divo winners of the PPL Classical Award.

Since launching in 1976 the O2 Silver Clef 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 O2 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.

O2 have been proud sponsors of the O2 Silver Clef Awards for 12 consecutive years and O2's Nuala Donnelly says, "O2 is incredibly proud to be associated with Nordoff Robbins and to be working with them on their 40th Anniversary. After 12 years of working together on the O2 Silver Clef Awards our admiration for their work continues to grow and we look forward to helping them raise more much needed funds."

Icon Award sponsors Investec comment, "We are very proud to continue our longstanding support of Nordoff Robbins for the ninth consecutive year. Nordoff Robbins continues to change lives through music as the leading UK music therapy charity. The O2 Silver Clef Awards recognise the fantastic work and talent within the industry."

Lisa Gregg, Head of International Card Products and Experiences at American Express,
sponsors of the Innovation Award, said: "We're delighted to help celebrate 40 years of Nordoff Robbins, a truly inspiring organisation that has transformed the lives of thousands of vulnerable children and adults through music. As a supporter of the 2015 Silver Clefs, we would like to congratulate Mark Ronson on winning the Innovation Award; he is an incredible talent and a very worthy recipient."

#O2SilverClefs40
#MusicIsMedicine
www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk