Record mogul tastes award glory

Ian Youngs
Music reporter, BBC News

Mr Grainge has contributed to Universal's musical success

Pop stars including U2 and Take That have given their boss - music executive Lucian Grainge - a taste of rock glory by honouring him with a top award.

Mr Grainge, head of Universal Music Group International, was praised by his artists as he collected the Music Industry Trust Award in London.

U2 presented the accolade, while Take That, Mika, Razorlight, Jamie Cullum ad Sugababes performed in his honour.

U2's lead singer Bono described Mr Grainge as a "great" label boss.

"He's great because he's ready to take on the world for British music, and Irish music for that matter," Bono said.

'Tender soul'

"He's a tough guy when it comes to deals but he's a very tender soul to deal with if you're U2."

Mr Grainge let the band "be ourselves", and would "never try to interfere with us, never try to step on our toes", Bono added.

I'm pleased that tonight I can be the front for the industry and our company and our artists as well Lucian Grainge

Mr Grainge, whose roster also includes Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Sir Elton John, has helped make Universal the UK's most successful record company.

"It's inevitably very flattering and I'm pleased that tonight I can be the front for the industry and our company and our artists as well," he said.

Abba's Benny Andersoon and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Girls Aloud and Snow Patrol were also at the ceremony, while Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and The Pussycat Dolls sent video messages.

As well as honouring Mr Grainge, the night raised more than £568,000 money for two charities, the Brit performing arts school and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.

Part of that came from an auction, which saw some of the biggest names entering into bidding wars.

Girls Aloud attended the ceremony

Abba's Benny and Bjorn took on Snow Patrol in a battle to buy a signed lithograph of the cover of U2's Boy album.

The Swedish pop stars came out on top, forking out £40,000 for the poster.

Bono paid £21,000 for a box at Arsenal Football Club's Emirates Stadium, while bandmate The Edge stumped up £15,000 for singer Jarvis Cocker's puppet from TV satire Spitting Image.

A Gretsch guitar made for and signed by Bono was sold for £150,000 to businessman Sir Philip Green, who also paid £6,000 for the chance to meet Lionel Richie and have a private rendition of his hit Hello.

The Music Industry Trust Award went to Kylie Minogue last year, and previous recipients have included Beatles producer Sir George Martin, promoter Harvey Goldsmith and Sir Elton John.