Queen To Receive Polar Music Prize - Noise11.com
Brian May of Queen performs at Rod Laver Arena on Friday 2 March 2018. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Brian May of Queen performs at Rod Laver Arena on Friday 2 March 2018. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Queen To Receive Polar Music Prize

by Music-News.com on March 19, 2025

in News

Queen will be bestowed with the Polar Music Prize for 2025.

Queen will be honoured for their “distinctive and instantly recognisable sound that no one else can emulate.”

Queen said: “We are highly and deeply honoured to be given the Polar Music Prize this year. It’s incredible, thank you so much.”

The band – who have sold more than 300 million records worldwide – were fronted by one-of-a-kind musical genius, Freddie Mercury, until his untimely passing in 1991, and his musical legacy lives on.

Since 2011, Adam Lambert has performed lead vocal duties in the place of the late flamboyant frontman.

Jazz pioneer Herbie Hancock and soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan will also receive laureates.

Hancock commented: “The Polar Music Prize is a prestigious honour, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be a recipient.

“The laureates who have come before me have left an indelible mark on humanity through their profound examples of inspiration and dedication.”

Hannigan said: “I am deeply moved and humbled to receive this year’s Polar Music Prize.

“Thank you so much for including me among this incredible and inspiring group of laureates.”

The prize-giving will take place at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm, Sweden on May 27.

Marie Ledin, managing director of the award, said: “It is our immense privilege to honour and award these three laureates the 2025 Polar Music Prize.

“Queen, a band synonymous with the very fabric of pop culture, have made an impact on music that spans decades, generations and genres. They are a most deserving recipient, beloved the world over.

“Herbie Hancock is a musical legend and tour de force. His music has pushed boundaries in jazz, funk soul and R B, and we are thrilled to honour his enduring legacy.

“Barbara Hannigan is a presence like no other, a passionate soprano and conductor of a unique and courageous path.

“We are looking forward to celebrating all three recipients at this year’s event.”

Previous recipients of the Polar Music Prize include Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Sting and Joni Mitchell, and Iggy Pop.

The Swedish award – which is known as the Nobel Prize of Music – was founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, best known as the manager of Swedish pop icons ABBA.

Beatles legend McCartney received the first award in 1992.

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