Paul McCartney Awarded Gershwin Prize

Paul McCartney is among the greats when it comes to rock and roll and songwriting. After decades and decades with The Beatles and his own solo career, he is still on top of the game. That’s precisely why the US Library of Congress has chosen McCartney as  the recipient of  the Third Library of Congress Gershwin Award for Popular Song.

Recipients in the past have been Paul Simon in May 2007 and Stevie Wonder in February 2009.  Just as they have done for the last two recipients, an all-star tribute concert will be put together to honor Paul McCartney in Spring 2010.

According to Absolute Arts, the Gershwin 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.”

Any scholar activity having to do with one of the Beatles seems all right by us, and the Beatles member doesn’t seem to mind his part in this celebration either. He managed to properly express his gratitude by stating,

“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.”

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington explains in further detail why McCartney was a perfect candidate:

“It’s hard to think of another performer and composer who has had more indelible and transformative effect on popular song and music of several different genres than Paul McCartney.”

We also agree with him there. Congrats to the Beatle!