February 20, 2008 12:53

Paul McCartney says he thought about rejecting Brit Award

Beatles man talks ahead of picking up award tonight (Feb 20)

Photo Gallery: Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that if the award he is set to receive at the Brits had been called the Lifetime Achievement Award, he would have turned it down.

The former Beatle is being rewarded tonight (February 20) with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, and will play the ceremony.

The singer told XFM: “I try to avoid those 'cause it feels like you're gonna die the next second.”

He went on to tell the station that he did not have any objections to the name of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.

He also explained that going back to Abbey Road Studios to record recently had brought him “closer to my past”.

“John (Lennon) and George (Harrison) aren't here so when you go to Abbey Road that's the nearest (to a Beatles reunion) that I'm gonna get,” he explained. “It's just as if I've come in on a Beatles session.”

NME.COM will bring you full coverage of the winners and loosers at tonight's ceremony, so stay tuned.

The Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 are coming soon – and it’s time to have your say. Vote now by heading to NME.COM/awardsvote and you could win VIP tickets to the ceremony, which takes place in London on February 28.