Kylie Gets Her Mits On Award

Aussie pop diva Kylie Minogue has become the first woman to win a Music Industry Trust Award in the annual honor’s 16-year history.

The fundraising award, which has contributed more than £2.7 million (US$5.4 million) for Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and the BRIT Trust, is given to an individual who has made a distinctive and lasting contribution to the British music industry.

Minogue, described by committee chairman David Munns as "by far the most glamorous" recipient in the event’s history, will receive her award in a presentation at London’s Grosvenor House on October 29th.

The citation applauds Minogue’s "universally acclaimed status as an icon of pop and style achieved over a 20-year career which has seen her reinvent, experiment and inspire.

"Kylie has established one of the longest and most successful careers as a performer in contemporary popular music and her tenacity and determination to succeed, on and off the stage, have been an inspiration to so many."

Promoter and entrepreneur Harvey Goldsmith won last year’s MITS award, as it is called.

Previous winners include Peter Gabriel, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, John Barry, George Martin, former BPI director general John Deacon, Ahmet Ertegun and DJ Alan Freeman.