John Lydon is glad his fellow songwriters have "taken notice" of him.
The legendary former Sex Pistols punk singer was given the Icon award at last night's (15.10.13) Broadcast Music Inc. awards in London, and said he was proud to accept the honour.
He told BANG Showbiz: "It means fellow songwriters have really bothered to stand up and taken notice of what I do, and for me that's a very, very good and important thing.
"I'm the kind of fellow who chooses which awards I will and will not accept, so this is obviously something which carries a great deal of meaning to me. And talking to the people that run this organisation it is run with a great deal of respect. These fellows fight to get our money. So I'm full of heart."
In typical style, the Public Image Ltd. vocalist added the large trophy he was given to celebrate the award was "like a little potty you'd have underneath your bed."
Famed lyricist Don Black - who won the Icon award in 2010 - also complemented BMI's choice to honour John, saying: "Punk has never been my first love. [His lyrics] are great and people love it, although it's not what I was raised up with."
Other winners at the BMI Awards - set up by the US organisation to commend European songwriters for their success in terms of radio and television play in America - included Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran, Adele and Example.
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