The journey of the Polar Music Prize began in 1974, sparked by the Eurovision Contest victory of ABBA, managed and lyrically nurtured by Stig “Stikkan” Anderson. In 1989, Anderson, leveraging the sale of his companies to Polygram, established the Polar Music Prize with a substantial endowment of 42 million Swedish krona.
The Prize, celebrated for its prestige and diversity, is overseen by an independent board, including Anderson family members and international luminaries.
The Polar Music Prize has recognized an eclectic mix of artists, ranging from classical maestros like Ligeti and Arvo Pärt to rock legends Metallica and Peter Gabriel, along with world music icon Angélique Kidjo.
In 2017, the prize was awarded to Sting, celebrated at a gala in Stockholm where Annie Lennox delivered a stirring rendition of Sting’s “Fragile,” a tribute both to the song’s emotional depth and to Sting’s global humanitarian efforts.
YouTube viewers have expressed profound admiration for Lennox’s performance, noting its haunting, apocalyptic beauty and the mutual respect evident between Lennox and Sting. The Polar Music Prize announcement video highlighted Sting’s musical and humanitarian achievements, underscoring his global citizenship and dedication to human rights.
The Prize, typically awarded to two or three artists annually, has honored diverse talents including the Kronos Quartet, Patti Smith, Ensemble Intercontemporain, and Iggy Pop. In 2017, alongside Sting, jazz legend Wayne Shorter was also honored, recognized for his pivotal role in groups like Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis’s Quintet, and for his influence on modern music. The Polar Music Prize remains a symbol of musical excellence and diversity, honoring artists who, like Wayne Shorter, have profoundly shaped the landscape of music.