Roo69
07/09/2005, 8:53 AM
A CROSS-dressing unknown singer, who has spent his entire adult life living in America, was the shock choice to win one of Britain’s most prestigious music awards last night. Antony Hegarty, 34, won the Nationwide Mercury Prize in a glitzy ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
His band Antony And The Johnsons’ album I Am A Bird Now was named as the best British record of the year by judges, beating off competition from 11 other acts including Coldplay, Hard-Fi and favourites Kaiser Chiefs.
Antony left his birth place of Chichester, England, aged 12, grew up in California and now lives in New York. His haunting piano-based tunes have won good reviews and I Am A Bird Now features contributions from his musical heroes Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright and Boy George.
Antony told a stunned crowd: “I think they must have made a mistake. I am completely overwhelmed. It’s insane. “What's really exciting about this night is just this wonderful biennial that shows the rich diversity of the spectrum what’s going on in music at the moment.
“It's been so wonderful to be here just meeting everyone. I love so many of the artists performing tonight, I think it's a bit bonkers to give it to one person.”
He later added that he’d be spending his £20,000 prize money on a new wardrobe, telling us: “I really should buy some new clothes. I look a bit rough.”
Despite previously blasting Antony as “American”, the Kaiser Chiefs said if they couldn’t win then they’re glad the prize didn’t go to a rock rival.
Frontman Ricky Wilson told us: “I would have been very jealous if Maximo Park, Hard-Fi or Bloc Party had won. “We can’t contend with Antony And The Johnsons as they’re so different, so I don’t really mind.
“Although I thought KT Tunstall should have got it.”
And Hard-Fi weren’t too upset about losing either, with singer Richard Archer revealing his group had already made the prize money back in alcohol.
“Antony fully deserves it but we’ve drunk £20,000 worth of booze – so we’ve also won!” he boasted.
The Nationwide Mercury Prize is renowned for throwing up surprise winners.
Oasis, Radiohead, Coldplay and Blur have never won the gong, but M People, Talvin Singh and Dizzee Rascal all have.
Antony And The Johnsons are perhaps the biggest shock victors since the awards started in 1992, but the judges were unanimous in their decision.
Chair Simon Frith told us: “This was the most utterly distinct album of the year. You listen to it and it gets you immediately – you have to respond to it.
“From our point of view whether Antony is British or not is irrelevant, we just pick the best album based on the competition’s rules.”
His band Antony And The Johnsons’ album I Am A Bird Now was named as the best British record of the year by judges, beating off competition from 11 other acts including Coldplay, Hard-Fi and favourites Kaiser Chiefs.
Antony left his birth place of Chichester, England, aged 12, grew up in California and now lives in New York. His haunting piano-based tunes have won good reviews and I Am A Bird Now features contributions from his musical heroes Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright and Boy George.
Antony told a stunned crowd: “I think they must have made a mistake. I am completely overwhelmed. It’s insane. “What's really exciting about this night is just this wonderful biennial that shows the rich diversity of the spectrum what’s going on in music at the moment.
“It's been so wonderful to be here just meeting everyone. I love so many of the artists performing tonight, I think it's a bit bonkers to give it to one person.”
He later added that he’d be spending his £20,000 prize money on a new wardrobe, telling us: “I really should buy some new clothes. I look a bit rough.”
Despite previously blasting Antony as “American”, the Kaiser Chiefs said if they couldn’t win then they’re glad the prize didn’t go to a rock rival.
Frontman Ricky Wilson told us: “I would have been very jealous if Maximo Park, Hard-Fi or Bloc Party had won. “We can’t contend with Antony And The Johnsons as they’re so different, so I don’t really mind.
“Although I thought KT Tunstall should have got it.”
And Hard-Fi weren’t too upset about losing either, with singer Richard Archer revealing his group had already made the prize money back in alcohol.
“Antony fully deserves it but we’ve drunk £20,000 worth of booze – so we’ve also won!” he boasted.
The Nationwide Mercury Prize is renowned for throwing up surprise winners.
Oasis, Radiohead, Coldplay and Blur have never won the gong, but M People, Talvin Singh and Dizzee Rascal all have.
Antony And The Johnsons are perhaps the biggest shock victors since the awards started in 1992, but the judges were unanimous in their decision.
Chair Simon Frith told us: “This was the most utterly distinct album of the year. You listen to it and it gets you immediately – you have to respond to it.
“From our point of view whether Antony is British or not is irrelevant, we just pick the best album based on the competition’s rules.”