Paul McCartney gets an Ultimate Legend award at MTV Europe Music Awards

From Wikipedia:

The 2008 MTV EMAs (also known as the MTV Europe Music Awards) were held at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, on 6 November 2008. It was hosted by Katy Perry. This was the second time the awards have taken place in England.

From paulmccartney.com, November 5, 2008:

MTV Networks International today announced that it is honouring one of the legends of the music industry, Paul McCartney, with a special Ultimate Legend Award on the night of the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards. The Awards will be broadcast live from the Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture – on Thursday 6th November and are sponsored by edc by Esprit, Sony Ericsson and Dell.

Paul McCartney is one of the true greats. Not only has he has been one of the most formative influences on the music scene on a global scale but he is one of the founding fathers that has earned Liverpool the recent accolade as Most Musical City in the UK commented Bill Roedy, Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks International. We are honoured that Paul has agreed to accept this award which is a fitting tribute to a man who has touched millions of lives with his music.

From BBC, November 5, 2008:

Sir Paul McCartney is to be honoured with a specially-created Ultimate Legend award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in his home city of Liverpool.

The former Beatle is not expected to play at Thursday night’s show but will pick up his prize in person, MTV said.

It said the award was created to honour “one of the most formative influences on the music scene on a global scale”.

Take That and Beyonce are among artists performing at the event, which will be hosted by US singer Katy Perry.

The event’s executive producer, Richard Godfrey, said it was fitting that the 15th anniversary of the awards would see MTV saluting Sir Paul “in his home town”.

“Sir Paul’s dedication to sharing his experience and nurturing the next generation of talented artists is remarkable,” he added.

MTV Networks International chairman Bill Roedy hailed Sir Paul as “one of the true greats”.

“Not only has he has been one of the most formative influences on the music scene on a global scale, but he is one of the founding fathers that has earned Liverpool the recent accolade as most musical city in the UK.”

The European Capital of Culture won the most musical city title after an online poll set up by the Arts Council.