Lennox will receive her award later this month

Lennox, 51, will get a Founders Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

It is awarded to songwriters who have made exceptional contributions to music and influenced their peers.

Lennox enjoyed huge success during the 1980s in the Eurythmics, with Dave Stewart, and more recently as a solo performer and songwriter.

Solo career

ASCAP president and chairman Marilyn Bergman said: "Annie Lennox is one of the finest musical voices of our time - unlike any other, uncompromising and unpredictable.

"Annie has worn every musical garment possible: Scottish folk singer, jazz singer, punk, rock - changing her image, but never her commitment to originality and excellence."

Lennox became a household name in the Eurythmics, the band she formed with Stewart after the dissolution of their previous band, The Tourists.

Their hits included Sweet Dreams, Who's That Girl?, Here Comes the Rain Again and There Must Be an Angel.

Lennox's subsequent solo career also produced hits such as Why?, Little Bird and Walking on Broken Glass from her debut Diva, which won best British album at the 1993 Brit Awards.

Her previous awards include four Grammys, seven Brits, a Golden Globe and an Oscar.

Past recipients of the Founders Award include Elvis Costello, Sir Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.

Lennox will receive her honour at the 23rd Pop Awards in Los Angeles on 22 May.