THE WHO TO RECEIVE AMERICAN HONOUR

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend will receive the centre's honours, an annual award to recognise outstanding achievements in the performing arts, in Washington DC on December 7.

Only one other British musician has ever been honoured by the centre - Elton John in 2004.

Singer Daltrey said he was "deeply touched" and "humbled" by the award.

"As a teenager growing up in the austerity of post-war England, it was the music I heard emanating from America that gave me a dream to hang my life on," he said. "That dream was to make music and make it there.

"I am deeply touched at receiving this honour. The warmth and affection I feel from our US audience is humbling indeed."

Guitarist Townshend added: "This is a great thrill. Since The Who began in the early '60s we have loved American music and audiences and have made deep and lasting friendships with everyone involved in the industry there.

"Roger and I both feel our work in the United States has been as important as our work at home. Because our medium, rock music, is quintessentially American music with broad and deep international and multicultural roots, this honour is especially meaningful to us Brits."

A spokesman for the rock act said the ceremony would be hosted by former President John F Kennedy's daughter, Caroline.

Recent previous winners include Steven Spielberg, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Martin Scorsese.