Sir Paul McCartney To Receive Gershwin Prize

November 19, 2009 8:48 a.m. EST

Washington, DC (CNS) - Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney is set to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The British musician will be collecting the award at a ceremony at the White House next year.

It has been announced that the 67-year-old music icon will be the third recipient of the honor for his "indelible and transformative effect on popular song."

Simon & Garfunkel star Paul Simon was the first awardee when the honor was conceived in 2007. Stevie Wonder became the second recipient in 2008. He was presented with the award by President Barack Obama at a ceremony at the White House in February this year.

The prize is named after the late musician brothers George and Ira Gershwin by the Library of Congress. The honor was created to recognize an artist's "lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding."