[Shaun]

Since 2011 neglected it...

Previous winners:
1982 - John Lennon
1983 - The Beatles, Pete Townshend
1984 - George Martin
1985 - The Police (!?)
1986 - Wham! (!?) and Elton John
1987 - Eric Clapton
1988 - The Who
1989 - Cliff Richard
1990 - Queen
1991 - Status Quo (!?!?!?!?!?!?)
1992 - Freddie Mercury
1993 - Rod Stewart
1994 - Van Morrison
1995 - Elton John (again?)
1996 - David Bowie
1997 - Bee Gees
1998 - Fleetwood Mac
1999 - Eurythmics
2000 - Spice Girls (oh god)
2001 - U2
2002 - Sting
2003 - Tom Jones
2004 - Duran Duran
2005 - Bob Geldof
2006 - Paul Weller
2007 - Oasis
2008 - Sir Paul McCartney
2009 - Pet Shop Boys
2010 - Robbie Williams (jesus christ)
2011 - noone.

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notable absences, I think:
THE ROLLING STONES. COME ON. Kate Bush, Radiohead, The Smiths, The Clash, Dusty Springfield, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Sex Pistols, The Prodigy, Brian Eno...

I assume they have to be British (although what U2 are doing there IDK)