Peter Gabriel will be jointly-awarded Sweden's prestigious Polar prize later in 2009.
The former Genesis star will take the honour alongside Venezualian composer Jose Antonio Abreau. They will each receive one million kroner (£84,360 and 98p!) from the Royal Swedish Academy Of Music.
The prizes will be presented by Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf at ceremony at Stockholm Concert Hall on 31 August.
The long-established Polar Music Prize is the biggest of its kind in Scandanavia. The awards, split between pop and classical musicians, were founded by ABBA manager Stig Anderson in 1989.
"Ground-breaking, boundary-busting"
The Polar committee praised Gabriel for his "ground-breaking, outward-looking and boundary-busting artistry".
They added that Gabriel had "not only had a significant influence on the development of popular music - he has redefined the very concept".
Here's Gabriel and his band at work in his famed Real World studios in England.
The 2008 'pop' prize went to Pink Floyd. Other past winners include Paul McCartney, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin.
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