What performers do you think are likely to turn down an OBE?

behold-a-dub · Postby **behold-a-dub** » 10 Feb 2009, 00:45

The title has room for only a shortened version of the question.

What performers do you think are likely to turn down an OBE, MBE, knighthood, or other sort of award handed out by countries? (You could ask about other awards (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), but for now, let's stick to the ones given out by countries or governments.) You could also ask about what interesting reasons people might have to turning down an award.

Quaco · Postby **Quaco** » 10 Feb 2009, 00:51

Good question. My short answer would be "Not many."

JQW · Postby **JQW** » 10 Feb 2009, 00:55

Humphrey Lyttelton reportedly turned down a knighthood in 1995.

The Modernist · Postby **The Modernist** » 10 Feb 2009, 08:03

Bowie has done.

dang65 · Postby **dang65** » 10 Feb 2009, 08:24

I've often wondered about Jimmy Page and a knighthood. He has an OBE for his charity work, but no official recognition for his musical career which is at least as important as the likes of Mick Jagger and Elton John, and not far short of Paul McCartney really. And Cliff Richard!?!? And Tom Jones?!?!?!?

Page recently refused (politely) to endorse a campaign to get him a star on that Hollywood walk of fame thing, though I guess that wouldn't be quite as prestigious as a knighthood. But I do wonder if he's turned one down. The trouble is, people get to decline the offer privately, so we never know unless they decide to talk about it.

Billy · Postby **Billy** » 10 Feb 2009, 08:30

Jarvis Cocker, he's the sort. Bless his little cotton socks.

Moleskin · Postby **Moleskin** » 10 Feb 2009, 09:42

Anyone who accepts one goes down a little in my estimation.

The Prof · Postby **The Prof** » 10 Feb 2009, 10:19

Weller, I think

Johnny Fartpants · Postby **Johnny Fartpants** » 10 Feb 2009, 10:22

Showaddywaddy.

johnnydefault · Postby **johnnydefault** » 10 Feb 2009, 10:43

The Prof wrote:Weller, I think

Yep, turned down a CBE in 2006

The Prof · Postby **The Prof** » 10 Feb 2009, 13:37

pig bodine wrote:Didn't the Crass turn down theirs in the early 80's?

You're thinking of Charlie Harper.

Billy · Postby **Billy** » 10 Feb 2009, 13:57

The Prof wrote:
pig bodine wrote:Didn't the Crass turn down theirs in the early 80's?

You're thinking of Charlie Harper.

No, he turned down a peerage ...

Insouciant Western People · Postby **Insouciant Western People** » 11 Feb 2009, 05:31

I doubt if he'd be offered one anyway given his record on the Royals, but I'm guessing Morrissey definitely wouldn't accept one.

Insouciant Western People · Postby **Insouciant Western People** » 11 Feb 2009, 05:33

Dr Modernist wrote:Bowie has done.

I'm sure I read recently that Brian Eno's refused some sort of honour as well.

I wonder if Cale's been offered one ? He'd be the sort to say no, I've have thought.

Seymore Porn · Postby **Seymore Porn** » 11 Feb 2009, 14:25

I can't imagine Billy Bragg accepting a knighthood.
Really, anyone with any pride in their rock n roll/blues/ country/punk credentials who accepts a knighthood is a cunting waste of space chez McCash.

Goat Boy · Postby **Goat Boy** » 11 Feb 2009, 14:33

Julian Cope

Damon Allbarn

dang65 · Postby **dang65** » 11 Feb 2009, 15:58

Count McCash wrote:Really, anyone with any pride in their rock n roll/blues/country/punk credentials who accepts a knighthood is a cunting waste of space chez McCash.

Most the Rock Knights are the type that never had those credentials anyway - even Elton. McCartney always seemed to have this aura of fitting in with The Establishment, for some reason. Or being completely acceptable to The Establishment anyway. Don't think the same could be said of the other Beatles.

Jagger must be the odd one out. Maybe he's being some kind of inverted rebel by accepting a knighthood? Is it actually more conformist now to refuse a knighthood because of, er, peer pressure?

Seymore Porn · Postby **Seymore Porn** » 11 Feb 2009, 18:13

dang65 wrote:
Count McCash wrote:Really, anyone with any pride in their rock n roll/blues/country/punk credentials who accepts a knighthood is a cunting waste of space chez McCash.

Most the Rock Knights are the type that never had those credentials anyway - even Elton. McCartney always seemed to have this aura of fitting in with The Establishment, for some reason. Or being completely acceptable to The Establishment anyway. Don't think the same could be said of the other Beatles.

Jagger must be the odd one out. Maybe he's being some kind of inverted rebel by accepting a knighthood? Is it actually more conformist now to refuse a knighthood because of, er, peer pressure?

Jagger's just a phony cunt. Always was and always will be.

Muskrat · Postby **Muskrat** » 11 Feb 2009, 18:51

I have a friend who refused to allow his album to be released in Japan -- thus turning down an Obi.

behold-a-dub · Postby **behold-a-dub** » 13 Feb 2009, 01:06

Count McCash wrote:I can't imagine Billy Bragg accepting a knighthood.

I can't see it either. My guess is that the powers that be have a pretty good idea of this. I think it's unlikely that Bragg would ever asked.

It's surprising to see some of the people who have turned down the award. I wouldn't have been able to predict that Bowie would have done so. An even stranger example is Hank Marvin who turned down an OBE.

On the other side of the pond, almost no one that I know of has turned down induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, only The Sex Pistols. Everyone else has been quite happy to go.

Black Cat Bone

What performers do you think are likely to turn down an OBE?

What performers do you think are likely to turn down an OBE?

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