Dance music industry legend Pete Tong was awarded the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) this past Monday night in London.
New Order performed at the event in tribute to Tong who signed the group to FFRR in the 1980s. Others performing at the awards included Simon LeBon from Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers from Chic and Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet.
It was a pleasure to perform in London last night as our friend @petetong received @themitsaward 2021.
Congratulations again, Pete!
Photo by John Marshall, JM Enternational pic.twitter.com/SgbeAT9jJT— New Order (@neworder) November 2, 2021
Idris Elba presented the award to Tong and said:
We’ve all wanted to be Pete Ttong. Growing up, where I come from, listening to DJ Pete Tong on the radio was essential. [and] without a doubt moulded my very early barometer as a dj as to what is good and what is great. He’s been more than a friend to me though, he’s been a business partner, he’s been a co-collaborator and he’s been a mentor. I’ve been djing all my life, but one of the only professionals when i started to take this very seriously was Pete Tong. He didn’t have to do it, he could have risked his reputation, but he stood by me as a friend.”
