Heart's Wilson sisters to be honored by music biz

Sisters Nancy (L) and Ann Wilson of the band Heart perform during the second annual VH1 Rock Honors concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada May 12, 2007.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Ann and Nancy Wilson, the principal members of veteran rock group Heart, will receive a lifetime achievement award from a songwriters' group, organizers said on Thursday.

The sisters will be given the Founders Award during performing right group ASCAP's annual pop music awards in Hollywood on April 22. The honorees and various guests usually perform at the event, but details have not yet been finalized.

Ann Wilson, Heart's 58-year-old singer, and Nancy, its 54-year-old rhythm guitarist, rose to fame in the 1970s with such hits as "Crazy On You," "Magic Man" and "Barracuda."

"Their success and influence helped pave the way for other female artists, and they continue to build their musical legacy with an artistic energy that remains as strong today as when they first started out over 35 years ago," ASCAP president and chairman Marilyn Bergman said in a statement.

Past recipients include Elvis Costello, Billy Joel, Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Smokey Robinson, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.

Rival performing rights group BMI said earlier this week it would Philadelphia soul songwriter/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff with an Icon lifetime achievement award during its annual awards dinner in Beverly Hills on May 19.

Both ASCAP and BMI collect royalties on behalf of songwriters and music publishers by monitoring radio airplay and charging license fees to the owners of venues where live and recorded music is played.