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British Pop's Big Party

The Brits have come a long way since their origins in 1977's Britannia Awards, which celebrated 100 years of recorded sound. The winners included Queen, Cliff Richard, George Martin and Procul Harum. By 1982 the first annual British Record Industry Awards were instituted, and they were renamed the Brit Awards in 1989.

Now the awards are one of the world's biggest musical events, partly thanks to the individuals who have become famous - or infamous - for their contribution to the awards' history.

Back row: Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba, Mick Fleetwood, Jimmy Cauty of the KLF.
Middle row: Annie Lennox, Samantha Fox, Freddie Mercury, Jarvis Cocker
Front row: Jonathan King, Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard.