“I am really pleased that the role of the recording industry and its contribution to our culture and economy has been recognized and honored in this way,” she comments in a statement.
Moyet, the former Yazoo singer, leads a string of recording artists feted in the 2021 honors list. The English singer is awarded an MBE for services to music, having already scooped two U.K. No. 1 albums and a brace of Brit Awards for best female artist across a stellar career.
Veteran crooner Engelbert Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey) is also awarded an MBE for services to music, while veteran Scottish singer and entertainer Lulu is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), for services to music, entertainment and charity.
Also recognized is Skin (real name Deborah Ann Dyer), frontwoman of the Britpop era rock band Skunk Anansie, who is made an OBE for services to music. “Not bad for a skinny black girl from Brixton who fell in love with Rock & Roll!!,” she writes on social media. “But seriously, this is a lovely thing to happen to me and I’m quite chuffed, gonna take a step back and suck it in.”
This year, 1,129 people received an award in what’s said to be the most ethnically diverse list to date. On this occasion, 567 women were recognized, representing 50% of the total.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours “allow us to pay tribute to all those who have gone above and beyond in their service to this country,” U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says in a statement.
Several leading figures from Australia’s music community are also recognized. Harvey Lister, chairman and CEO of ASM Global (Asia Pacific), has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2021, while John Kotzas, CEO of Queensland Performing Arts Centre, is made a Member in the General Division (AM).
ASM Global President and CEO Ron Bension described Lister as a legend of the entertainment and events industry in the land Down Under.
“This extraordinary honor is recognition of Harvey Lister’s lifetime dedication to the entertainment and events industry in Australia. His passion, innovation and determination to advance the sector is unmatched,” he comments. “We congratulate Harvey on being awarded an AM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list and look forward to his ongoing advocacy and contribution to the industry both in Australia and globally.”
This time, 947 Australians received awards in the general division of the Order of Australia, with women accounting for 44% of the total, an all-time high.
The awards—a system established by Queen Elizabeth II of England and the commonwealth states, which include Australia, in recognition of special achievements by the country’s citizens—usually coincide with Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday.
