Annie Lennox Enchants the World with Her Song – She Makes a Surprise Appearance for Sting at the Polar Music Prize
The journey began when Abba secured victory in the 1974 Eurovision Contest. Stig “Stikkan” Anderson acted as Abba’s manager and lyricist. In 1989, Anderson sold his production and music management businesses to Polygram, while continuing as Chairman of the Board for Sweden Music AB and Polar Music International. Using the funds from the Polygram transaction, Anderson allocated MSEK 42 to establish one of the world’s largest music honors, The Polar Music Prize. (MSEK stands for millions of Swedish krona).
The Polar Prize’s independent board comprises members of Anderson’s family and distinguished figures globally. (Anderson passed away on September 12, 1997). The roster of honorees who have been awarded the certificate by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is both diverse and remarkable, including Ligeti, Arvo Pärt, Metallica, Peter Gabriel, and Angélique Kidjo. In 2017, Sting was one of the two recipients. During the celebratory dinner and presentations, the organizers surprised the English musician in Stockholm.
YouTube comments reflect the emotional impact of Annie Lennox’s rendition of Sting’s “Fragile,” a song from his second solo studio album, Nothing Like the Sun (1987). The track was inspired by the death of Ben Linder, an American civil engineer killed by Contra “rebels” while working on a hydroelectric project in Nicaragua in 1987. Ivan DeSantis comments, “The talent of Annie Lennox is only eclipsed by how graciously she has always carried herself. Great tribute for Sting.”
K M Carter remarks, “Sting’s version is bittersweet, Annie’s is bone-chilling and post-apocalyptic. Shattering. Beautiful.” Dattrax adds, “Sensational. Her voice. Her presence. That performance. Their mutual respect. His appreciation. This video is a masterpiece of beauty. Art that moves us. I cry every time I watch this. Thank you for posting this gem.” When The Polar Music Prize awarded Sting, they released a video showcasing his commendable accomplishments. Let’s take a look:
Congratulations to Sting. The Polar Awards statement concludes by listing Sting’s numerous musical achievements and stating, “Sting is a true citizen of the world, who has also been indefatigable in using his position as an arena-filling artist to promote human rights”.
Generally, two Polar prizes are awarded annually, though sometimes three are given. In 2011, the recipients were the Kronos Quartet and Patti Smith. In 2022, the Paris-based Ensemble Intercontemporain (“the Stradivarius of modern music”) and Iggy Pop were honored. The prize is dedicated to recognizing musical diversity and range. In 2017, alongside Sting, Wayne Shorter received the Polar Music Award. The Polar Award webpage highlights Shorter’s accomplishments “in epoch-making groups such as Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis’s second great Quintet and Weather Report,” as well as his contributions to key Joni Mitchell albums. Over his six-decade career, Wayne Shorter composed “a number of the most enduring pieces in jazz history. Without Wayne Shorter’s musical explorations, modern music would not have delved so deeply”.
Embodying the essence of the Polar Music Prize and acknowledging Wayne Shorter’s stature alongside jazz legends like Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Ornette Coleman, let us conclude with the Polar Music Award’s profile on Wayne Shorter. Enjoy.
