Antony and the Johnsons, fronted by gay lead singer Antony Hegarty, won the Mercury Prize, one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious music awards
- September 7, 2005
AceShowbiz -
A little-known New York band, Antony and the Johnsons, surprisingly won the Mercury Prize, one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious music awards. The band's record, "I Am A Bird Now," beat out such heavy favorites, as Kaiser Chiefs and Coldplay for the £20,000 prize, which goes to the Best Album of the Year by a British or Irish act.
The band shock win actually has sparked controversy concerning the band's lead singer, Antony Hegarty, although born in Chichester, has spent most of his life in the US. However, the Mercury organizers said that eligibility for the prize is judged on nationality, not residency.
