[Date Released: 03-11-2006]

UK MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2006

A major music event for Channel 4 broadcasting Thursday 16th November

Now in its third year, the UK Music Hall of Fame returns to Channel 4 with its spectacular Induction Ceremony.

Presented by Radio 2 DJ Dermot O'Leary, UK Music Hall of Fame 2006 Induction Ceremony will take place on 14th November and will for the second year running be staged at London's Alexandra Palace.

The prestigious ceremony will see a new line up of international music legends including Bon Jovi, James Brown, Brian Wilson, Dusty Springfield, Led Zeppelin and Rod Stewart honoured in recognition of their outstanding contribution to contemporary music.

This year's line up of live performances from inductees includes James Brown and Bon Jovi as well as Brian Wilson and his band. Special tributes to music legends from British soul sensation Joss Stone and R&B legend Patti LaBelle performing two of Dusty Springfield's greatest hits; critically acclaimed singer songwriter James Morrison and rock's latest stars Wolfmother, performing a tribute to Led Zeppelin.

The six inductees will join legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin who is receiving this year's Honorary Membership in recognition of his exceptional contribution to British music.

There are few acts in the world that can deliver stadium shows of massive proportions, release continuous hit albums and solicit an entire new generation of fans 23 years into their career.  Bon Jovi is that band. Bon Jovi are responsible for some of the most recognizable hits of the past 20 years, including "It's My Life", "Livin' on a Prayer", "Wanted Dead or Alive" and their most recent number 1 "Who Says You Can't Go Home."  They have sold over one hundred million albums around the world, performed more than 2,500 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 32 million people.   Following the success of their ninth hit album, the band has never been as popular and shows no sign of slowing down.

"The Godfather of Soul", James Brown is considered by many to be the most legendary living artist on the planet. With hits including "Papa's Got a brand new bag", "Get Up (Sex Machine)", "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" and "I Feel Good (I Got You)" he is the most sampled musician in history.  Still touring into his seventies, he's certainly living up to his other moniker as, "The hardest working man in show business".

Brian Wilson is the writer, producer, arranger and performer of some of the most cherished songs in music history.
As co-founder of the Beach Boys, his unique sound and innovative recordings dominated the UK and US charts in the early sixties. As a solo artist he has recorded seven albums, which have continued to showcase his immense song writing skills.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Pet Sounds, the album Paul McCartney cited as the influence behind Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. 

Dusty Springfield is widely recognised as one of the greatest female singers of all time. Idolised worldwide for her powerful, emotional vocals and distinctive style, Dusty's death in 1999 at the age of 59 robbed the world of a unique talent. However, her musical legacy lives on, as remastered and reversioned releases of her classic albums ensure Dusty's popularity has never been higher.

Led Zeppelin are credited by many to be one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time. 
They defined stadium rock in the Seventies with a series of thunderous performances and worldwide hits such as Whole Lotta Love and Stairway to Heaven. Led Zeppelin have sold over 300 million albums worldwide and 25 years after disbanding, their music still influences bands today.

Rod Stewart's career spans five decades - and with album sales exceeding 135 million, plus worldwide sell-out tours as standard - he's showing no sign of stopping. A born entertainer, his distinctive soulful vocals and iconic style have endeared him to music fans worldwide. Rod's reworking of classic tracks in his Grammy Award winning American Songbook series has brought his work to a new, even larger audience, and on October 23rd he returns with his first rock album in 8 years: Still The Same...Great Rock Classics Of Our Time. A landmark recording of immortal songs, it's produced by John Shanks and sits comfortably alongside the best of Rod's accomplished career.

Since its launch in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame has inducted 20 of the greatest names in music history including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Bob Dylan, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, U2, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley and The Kinks.

Artists are selected for induction by the UK Music Hall of Fame Steering Group - a panel comprising over 60 respected artists, music journalists, broadcasters and music industry executives.

General admission tickets are now on sale from Ticketmaster. Log on to www.ticketmaster.co.uk for further details.

UK Music Hall of Fame is an Initial production for Channel 4

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