Eels frontman Mark Oliver Everett will be honoured with one of the most prestigious and long standing accolades in London’s history, the Freedom of the City of London.
Everett accepted the honour at a ceremony at London’s Guildhall on Thursday 24th July, a few hours before Eels played a show at the Barbican Centre as part of their current UK tour.
Eels have played London many times since their 1996 inception, and The Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence today, the first Freedom believed to have been presented in 1237. It is a unique part of London’s history to which many people who have lived or worked in the City have been proud to have been admitted.
Only in 1996 did it become possible for non British or Commonwealth citizens to be admitted. Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, and Nelson Mandela are among the recipients of the Freedom of the City of London. Other musicians to receive the honour include Bob Geldof, Placid Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti – however E is the first singer of a contemporary rock band to receive this award.
Eels Tour Dates July 2014
24 London, England Barbican
25 Bristol, England Colston Hall
26 Gateshead, England Sage
27 Salisbury, England City Hall
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