NME is pleased to announce The Specials will be the recipients of the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the Shockwaves NME Awards 2010. The band will celebrate the award with the Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 29 March, as part of Roger Daltrey’s annual concerts for Teenage Cancer Trust. The Specials’ performance is one of ten exclusive shows marking the 10th year of these renowned concerts.

In recognition of Teenage Cancer Trust’s link with the British Music Industry and work with young people with cancer, NME has also renamed the award the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution to Music. This is one of the special awards of the night, along with the Goldlike Genius Award, which is chosen by NME to recognise services to music. Previous recipients of the accolade include Elbow and Arthur Lee. The Shockwaves NME Awards Godlike Genius Award is still to be announced.

The Ska legends originally formed in 1977 combined a danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk’s energy and attitude. With their lyrics often political or providing social commentary they became the soundtrack for a generation.

Famed for their distinctive style and porkpie hats, a trend that is still copied today, the band had a succession of Top 10 singles including 1980 hit “Too Much Too Young” and unemployment-themed single “Ghost Town”.

The band made a welcome return in 2009 to mark their 30th anniversary and played 33 sold out shows in the UK to over 140,000 fans as well as becoming a hit of the festival season.

Krissi Murison, NME Editor said: “There are few bands you can truly call revolutionary, but The Specials are certainly one of them. After 30 years of entertaining and inspiring in equal measure, it is an honour to have them both at the NME Awards and headlining the Big Gig.”

The band will be awarded at the infamous Shockwaves NME Awards 2010, THE rock and roll party of the year. Returning to iconic music venue O2 Academy Brixton on 24th February, The Specials will be joined by the who’s who of the music world where the winners of the public voted awards will be announced. With a staggering 1.3 million votes cast so far for categories including Best British Band, Best Album and Best Solo Artist music fans are keen to have their say on how they think are the worthy winners.

Tickets for the Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig go on sale exclusively through www.nme.com/tickets from Feb 3rd at 9am and on general sale on February 5th at 9am. Tickets from £25.

VOTE ONLINE FOR THE SHOCKWAVES NME AWARDS 2010 AT www.nme.com/awards

Picture copyright of Pete Chambers