Rock legends Queen were recognised by the American organisation Broadcast Music Inc. with a special Icons award at a ceremony in London on Tuesday.
Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor accepted the award, designed to recognise songwriters who have had 'a unique influence' on generations of musicians.
SOUNBITE: Brian May, guitarist, saying (English):
"I feel very honoured and it's special because it's an American award and we spent so much of our growing up period as Queen in the States, we felt very very close to the American people for such a long time. But you know in the honours stakes this is something very special."
Formed in 1971, Queen became one of the biggest bands in the world, penning enduring hits such as Bohemian Rhapsody and We are the Champions.
Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury died in 1991 from complications brought on by AIDS.
May, who has recently celebrated 40 years since the band formed, said he remembered fondly their formative days in the 1970s.
SOUNBITE: Brian May, guitarist, saying (English):
"We had a fantastic time, you know you could not have a better time as boys growing up on the road. Something between a travelling circus and a travelling army and a lot of fun. We were boys who got to live out our dreams and Freddie was exceptional, there's no doubt about it."
Last month Roger Taylor announced plans to form an official Queen tribute band for a touring retrospective.
SOUNBITE: Roger Taylor, guitarist, saying (English):
"I guess what we would like would be a younger, stronger model of ourselves - just to play the music live and I'd like that show, it's called the Extravaganza, it's starting in America next year. I would like that show to be as close to what they would have seen as if it had been the young version of us really."
The BMI event, which recognises pop acts who have gained airplay success in the US, was also attended by Yoko Ono who picked up a posthumous award on behalf of her husband John Lennon.
Edward Baran, Reuters, London.