Yoko Ono to receive Inspiration Award

Yoko Ono will collect the Inspiration Award at the upcoming NME Awards. The musician and artist - the widow of the late John Lennon - will pick up the award in person at the annual awards ceremony, which takes place on February 17 at the O2 Academy in Brixton, south London. Yoko - who turns 83 the day after the event - said of the honour: "Thank you, NME for this great honour. I accept this as your encouragement for me to keep making my 'Sound of Music'." The publication hose Yoko to receive the award for her "revolutionary ideas and concepts" and influence on modern culture. Mike Williams, NME editor-in-chief, says: "Yoko Ono's influence on modern culture is undeniable. As an icon and a rebel, her revolutionary ideas and concepts have subverted cultural norms and boundaries, and she shows no sign of slowing down even as she turns 83. Yoko is a truly amazing inspiration who we're honoured to welcome to the NME Awards with Austin, Texas this year." The Libertines and Wolf Alice lead the nominations for this year's awards, with both bands being in the running for six prizes. Shortly behind them are Foals with four nominations and the Maccabees with three. Voting for the ceremony has now closed.