U2 will make history as the first Irish songwriters to be awarded an Ivors Academy Fellowship in the UK, the highest honour the songwriting organisation bestows.
The quartet of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr follow in the footsteps of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and Kate Bush, who have all been made fellows of the academy.
Reacting to the honour, Bono said: "We were a band before we could play, let alone write songs… In fact, it was our inability to play other people's songs that kicked off our own songwriting.
"Early musical heroes like The Ramones, Patti Smith, The Clash were our inspiration. There's alchemy at play, turning base metals into gold... your s**** into gold would be another way of putting it."
The Edge said: "Songs are kind of magic. The best ones feel like gifts from some other dimension, but to catch them you have to make yourself available.
"I'm not sure songs can change the world, but they sure have changed mine."
Adam Clayton said: "To be recognised in this way by The Ivors Academy feels very special indeed. The appreciation of one's peers is a humbling honour and we are immensely grateful.
"We've been playing our songs in this country for over 45 years, thank you to all those who have not just supported us, but carried us... producers, engineers, crew, fans, management, label."
Larry Mullen Jr added: "Making music collectively, as we've done for close to 50 years, has been an incredible experience and privilege for the four of us, and I believe it's a testament to a band that values individual creativity and independence of mind.
"We are grateful to each other and very grateful to The Ivors Academy for recognising us with this award."
Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said: "With fearless poetic lyricism always centre-stage in panoramic musical vistas, the sound of U2 has redefined the fabric of popular music.
"Their songs are sweeping catalysts: hymnals and rallying cries. U2's induction into Fellowship honours their seminal contributions to music through exceptional songwriting craft."
U2 were ushered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 20 years ago and have accumulated a total of 22 Grammys.
Earlier in the year, then-US president Joe Biden presented the highest American civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Bono, who is known for campaigning against poverty and supporting those with HIV/AIDS.
The Ivor Novello Awards, known as The Ivors, will take place at Grosvenor House in London on Thursday 22 May.
Source: Press Association
