Credit: Jill Furmanovsky

Credit: Jill FurmanovskyPink Floyd drummer Nick Mason will receive the Prog God honor at the 2019 Progressive Music Awards, taking place September 12 at London’s Underglobe Theatre. The award, presented by the U.K.’s Prog magazine, acknowledges artists who have been musical innovators throughout their careers.

“I’m all in favor of recognition for drummers — particularly when it’s me — so I’m really delighted to be recognized as Prog God,” Mason tells Prog.

“It’s hard to believe that it was over 50 years ago that the music we know as prog rock was born, and it’s still being celebrated, played and developed in the 21st century. Long may it continue!”

Mason co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965, and is the only member to play on every one of the band’s studio albums. Nick was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the group in 1996.

Mason also released albums as a solo artists and with a variety of side projects, and has contributed to a number of film soundtracks. In addition, Nick has produced albums by Robert Wyatt, Gong and The Damned.

In 2018, he formed a Pink Floyd tribute band called Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, which focuses on the group’s pre-1973 material. The band, whose lineup also includes Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp and longtime Pink Floyd touring bassist Guy Pratt, recently wrapped up a European summer tour.

Previous recipients of the Prog God honor include Jethro Tull‘s Ian Anderson, Carl Palmer, Peter Gabriel, Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks, and Yes members Steve Howe, Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman.

A total of 15 awards will be handed out at the 2019 Progressive Music Awards. Winners will be announced on the night of the event at the Prog website.

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