Why the Brits should stick to honouring British artists

Extending the Outstanding Contribution in Music award to overseas artists implies the best musical talent can only be found outside the UK. Are not Pink Floyd and Radiohead worthy recipients? David Lister argues

Pink, a fabulous and fascinating artist, will win the accolade this year... but more influential than Joni Mitchell? (Getty)

At this year’s Brits, rock and pop music’s biggest night of the year had its climax with the presentation of the Outstanding Achievement in Music award, and a performance by the winner. For the first time in the history of the Brit Awards, the rules were changed to enable it to go to someone from outside Britain. The recipient was Pink, the American singer-songwriter with a dazzling live act.

No disrespect to Pink, well maybe a little, but are the Brit organisers really claiming that her contribution to music is greater than that of fellow Americans Joni Mitchell or Bob Dylan, or Neil Young, or Paul Simon?

Let’s be clear, Pink is a fabulous and fascinating artist with 90 million record sales and a stunningly athletic and acrobatic stage act. As Brits chairman, as well as chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK and Ireland, Jason Iley says: “Pink is a trailblazer, a phenomenally talented singer and songwriter, and truly one of the greatest artists of our time. With her remarkable career spanning nearly 20 years, Pink is one of the most successful artists in the world, consistently releasing multi-million-selling albums and selling out tours all over the globe.”