BASCA presented the 24th Gold Badge Awards on 15th October 1997 at The Savoy, Strand, London.
Sponsored by MCPS the awards included music from the Brian Dee Trio. The following individuals were awarded a Gold Badge of Merit:
- Deke Arlon
- Ken Bruce
- Peter Dadswell
- Kiki Dee
- Eric Delaney
- Eddy Grant
- Keith Grant
- Tony Hiller
- Judd Lander
- David Mackay
- Stuart Newton
- Frankie Vaughan
- Rick Wakeman
Guy Fletcher, Chair of the British Academy of Composers, Songwriters and Authors, said:
“It’s not a bit of good creating a great song if you don’t have a follow-up team to help you bring it to the public’s attention. Most of you know that we require the support of publishers, artists, producers, engineers, record company people, promoters and broadcasters to make hits. This industry is filled with talented people, many of whom never receive any thanks, indeed any of them never even receive the money! But that’s another story.
As ever, we have assembled a wonderful line-up of recipients, some you will know well, others you may not. The fact is that each and every one has helped to enrich our lived by promoting the songwriter’s art in their own individual way. For this the BASCA Council thanks them and asks that they accept our Gold Award as a token of our appreciation.”
