Depeche Mode's manager Jonathan Kessler will receive the coveted Peter Grant Award at the Artist and Manager Awards (AMA) on 14 November.
Named after the legendary Led Zeppelin manager, the annual award is given to a manager who has gained the respect of their peers over a sustained career.
Kessler has worked with Depeche Mode since 1986, joining initially as an accountant, before becoming their first and only manager in 1994 where he helped to steer the band’s evolution into a pioneering, stadium act that has sold over 100 million albums.
Over the last 30 years, he has worked and consulted with other artists across the industry, including Sting, Neil Young, Tracy Chapman, The Weeknd, a-ha and Rod Stewart.
Kessler said he was, 'thrilled, honoured and humbled' to be chosen for the award, adding: 'Depeche Mode are incredibly talented musicians and performers, we’ve experienced over thirty years of history together, and it has been an honour to be a part of that journey.'
Peter Leathem, chief executive at PPL which sponsors the award, praised Kessler for being 'an industry icon and a figure who is as distinctive as the band he manages.'
He added: 'Depeche Mode are an uncompromising, maverick band who have always stayed true to their artistic vision – the fact that Jonathan Kessler has been at the management helm since the early days of their career is a testament to the relationship he has with them.'
The ceremony will take place on 14 November at Printworks London.
Following the awards, Depeche Mode will return to Europe and the UK to continue their Global Spirit Tour, before continuing to stadiums in Latin America next year.
Last year's recipient of the award was Peter Rudge, who previously managed The Who, The Rolling Stones, Duran Duran, Madness and Ray Davies.
Named after the legendary Led Zeppelin manager, the annual award is given to a manager who has gained the respect of their peers over a sustained career.
Kessler has worked with Depeche Mode since 1986, joining initially as an accountant, before becoming their first and only manager in 1994 where he helped to steer the band’s evolution into a pioneering, stadium act that has sold over 100 million albums.
Over the last 30 years, he has worked and consulted with other artists across the industry, including Sting, Neil Young, Tracy Chapman, The Weeknd, a-ha and Rod Stewart.
Kessler said he was, 'thrilled, honoured and humbled' to be chosen for the award, adding: 'Depeche Mode are incredibly talented musicians and performers, we’ve experienced over thirty years of history together, and it has been an honour to be a part of that journey.'
Peter Leathem, chief executive at PPL which sponsors the award, praised Kessler for being 'an industry icon and a figure who is as distinctive as the band he manages.'
He added: 'Depeche Mode are an uncompromising, maverick band who have always stayed true to their artistic vision – the fact that Jonathan Kessler has been at the management helm since the early days of their career is a testament to the relationship he has with them.'
The ceremony will take place on 14 November at Printworks London.
Following the awards, Depeche Mode will return to Europe and the UK to continue their Global Spirit Tour, before continuing to stadiums in Latin America next year.
Last year's recipient of the award was Peter Rudge, who previously managed The Who, The Rolling Stones, Duran Duran, Madness and Ray Davies.
