Veteran rock guitarist Joe Brown has said he "couldn't be more thrilled and delighted" to be honoured by the Queen after half a century in music.
The 68-year-old played with Johnny Cash and Gene Vincent early in his career and influenced a generation of guitarists, including Keith Richards, Mark Knopfler and George Harrison.
He was given an Outstanding Contribution To Music prize at the Mojo magazine awards on Thursday, but said his MBE came out of the blue.
"I've been around music for as long as I can remember having bought my first guitar for £1 when I was 10, and most of my family are involved in music, too," he said.
"To be honoured for something I've loved doing all my life is wonderful.
"I couldn't be more thrilled and delighted. This has come as a total surprise, to be recognised like this is just fantastic."
Brown began his career in music hall, and rose to stardom in the 1960s on the TV show Boy Meets Girl before enjoying solo hits including Picture of You.
