Pete Townshend to Be Honored with Les Paul Award at 2013 TEC Awards

Photo: Ross HalfinThe Who's Pete Townshend will receive the Les Paul Award at the 28th annual Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards, scheduled to take place on January 25 in Anaheim, California. The honor, named after the late electric-guitar and multi-track recording pioneer, recognizes people or institutions that have made a significant impact on the world of audio production and technology.

Townshend will be presented with the prize by Paul's son, Russ, on behalf of the award's sponsor, the Les Paul Foundation. Previous honorees include Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Brian Wilson, Neil Young and Sting.

Les Paul Foundation executive Michael Braunstein says in a statement, "Following in Les' footsteps, Pete Townshend personifies both guitar wizardry and technical prowess in both studio and live music performance. He is a true original and a natural choice for the Les Paul Award honor."

The TEC Awards recognize "outstanding achievement in audio technology and production." The event will be held at the Anaheim Hilton during the second day of the popular NAMM music-equipment trade show.

Part of the proceeds raised by the awards ceremony provide will help support programs that promoting hearing safety in conjunction with music-related activities, an issue with which Townshend has long been concerned.