The annual Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards show recognizes achievement in audio technology and production, and acknowledges the work of sound engineers, editors, and producers as well as professionals who work in recording, sound and live music. This year, Who guitarist Pete Townshend was presented with The Les Paul Foundation’s Les Paul Award during the January 25 ceremony.

The award was presented by producer and humorist Martin Lewis, a longtime friend who in 1979 recruited Townshend for Amnesty International’s first Secret Policeman’s Ball. Lewis arranged for Mick Jaggar and Paul McCartney to send messages, the latter via video.