Sir Paul McCartney Given Gershwin Prize

Hugely successful British songwriter Sir Paul McCartney is to be given the Gershwin Prize For Popular Music next year.

Before The Beatles, British pop music was a drab affair dominated by Tin Pan Alley and water down rockers who aped their American cousins. However the Fab Four proved that a group could write their own music, raising the bar first for British pop and then the world at large.

As one of the band's principle songwriters, Sir Paul McCartney has a large share in The Beatles' legacy. Turning solo, the Liverpool musician then formed Wings who scored several enormously successful albums.

Recently taking a daring step into the left field with The Fireman project, Sir Paul McCartney has proved that he can still challenge expectations.

Now the singer is due to be given one of America's most prestigious honours. The Gershwin Prize For Popular Music has only been awarded to three musicians, chosen by the United States Library Of Congress.

Previous winners include Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder, who had the award presented to him by President Barack Obama in February 2009.

Speaking to the New York Times, James H Billington of the Library Of Congress claimed that Sir Paul McCartney's music has had a lasting affect on pop culture and the world at large.

"It is hard to think of another performer and composer who has had a more indelible and transformative effect on popular song and music of several different genres," he said.

The award is expected to be followed with an all star concert, with a performance from Sir Paul McCartney set to take pride of place.