Lange Retains Top Slot For Zomba

For the second year running, Zomba Music was named publisher of the year and its writer Robert John "Mutt" Lange was named writer of the year at the 20th annual ASCAP/Performing Right Society (PRS) Awards for 1999, held Oct. 18 at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

Lange was the most-awarded writer (from a total of 21 songs given pop performance awards) for his song "Come On Over" and six others recorded by his wife, Shania Twain. Lange was not present to receive his awards, which were picked up on his behalf by various members of the Zomba Music staff, although Twain appeared on video to praise his songwriting. Zomba Music managing director Steven Howard collected the publisher of the year award.

The ASCAP/PRS song of the year was Cher's "Believe," co-written by Paul Barry, Brian Higgins, and Steven Torch and published by Rive Droite Music. The Chemical Brothers' "Surrender," written by Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, received the College Award. Moloko's "Sing It Back," penned by band members Mark Brydon and Roisin Murphy, received the Club Award.

Film awards were given to Phil Collins for "Tarzan," Trevor Jones for "Notting Hill," Craig Armstrong for "The Bone Collector," and Jocelyn Pook for "Eyes Wide Shut." Father and son team Keith and Matthew James Strachan received the newly created TV Theme Award for "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," published by Universal Music.

Moody Blues singer/songwriter Justin Hayward received ASCAP's second-ever Golden Note Award (previously given to Phil Collins) and gave an acoustic performance of his classic song "Nights In White Satin." A special appearance was also made by New York composer Cy Coleman, who performed songs from his hit musicals "Sweet Charity," "Barnum," and others, concluding with "If They Could See Me Now."

The evening's presentations were made by ASCAP president/chairman Marilyn Bergman, CEO John LoFrumento, senior VP of international Roger Greenaway, and senior director of membership, U.K./Europe, Sean Devine.

In her introduction, Bergman said, "The future is filled with many uncertainties—new languages to learn, new ways of doing business, new highways on which our music will travel. The opportunities for music have never been greater, nor have the challenges. As a community, we must act in concert to educate on a worldwide basis, to support each other, and to devise the necessary protections for our music."

A listing of the award winners follows.

Song of the year: "Believe," Paul Barry, Brian Higgins, Steven Torch (Rive Droite Music).

Writer of the year: Robert John "Mutt" Lange.

Publisher of the year: Zomba Music.

Pop Awards: "Angels," Guy Chambers, Robbie Williams (EMI Virgin Music/BMG Music).

"Bailamos," Paul Barry, Mark Taylor (Rive Droite Music).

"Beautiful Stranger," William Orbit, Madonna* (Rondor Music).

"Believe," Paul Barry, Brian Higgins, Steven Torch (Rive Droite Music).

"Blue Monday," Bernard Sumner, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris (Warner/Chappell Music).

"But It's Alright," Pierre Tubbs, Jerome Jackson (BMG Music).

"Come On Over," Robert John "Mutt" Lange, Shania Twain* (Zomba Music).