Nick Mason holding the classic album trophy at the Q Awards in London. Photo: Ian West/PA Wire

It has sold millions of copies around the world and its distinctive cover showing light reflected through a prism is immediately recognisable, but Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason reckons the success of Dark Side of the Moon is exaggerated.

The album, which contains tracks including Money and The Great Gig in the Sky and a cover by long-time band collaborator Storm Thorgerson, was an immediate hit upon its release in 1973.

Picking up the classic album award at the Q Awards, Mason praised the “iconic” cover art.

The drummer said: “I think it’s down to Storm that the figures say one in three households in England have a copy of this record.

“I think we’ve done some research and the correct figure is actually one in 50 but it’s made up of this sort of group of people who drink and use class A drugs so they lose their copies and have to buy another.”

Speaking before the awards in central London, Mason said he was an “eternal optimist” but he thought the band’s latest record, released next month, would be the last.

He said: “I think it’s unlikely there will be anything else after this.”

And he warned fans not to expect collections of unreleased tracks from the band’s back catalogue which stretches back to 1967.

He said: “I think if there is anything in the archives it’s probably not good enough to be released. In general, your legacy has a value as well so it’s rather short term to think it’s a good idea to put out things that you’re not prepared to stand by.”

Dr Feelgood star Wilko Johnson picked up the icon award and said he hoped to be playing gigs again soon.

Johnson, who has recorded a new album with The Who frontman Roger Daltrey, said he had played a string of farewell dates after first being told in 2012 that he had “inoperable” cancer and “10 months to live”.

Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan dedicated his band’s twin triumph to two rock ‘n’ roll survivors − Johnson and his father.

The Leicester rockers were named best live act and best act in the world today.

He warned fans not to expect collections of unreleased tracks from the band’s back catalogue which stretches back to 1967

Accepting the latter award from Jimmy Carr, the singer explained how his father survived when he accidentally ran him over earlier this year before leading the crowd in a standing ovation for Johnson, saying: “This is for Wilko, God bless him.”

The ceremony also recognised the efforts of independent record label XL Recordings, which helped steer Adele to worldwide fame.

Its boss, Richard Russell, picked up the award for outstanding contribution to music at the event at the Grosvenor House hotel in central London and said its success had been a “completely collaborative endeavour”.

The label also counts albums by The Prodigy, the White Stripes and Dizzee Rascal among its output.

Other winners included Ed Sheeran, who was named best solo artist, and Sam Smith, who won the best new act award.

Paolo Nutini won the gong for best track for Iron Sky from his Caustic Love album while Elbow’s The Take Off And Landing Of Everything was named best album, but the band lost out in the best video category to Jamie xx.

Award winners

Best new act: Sam Smith
Maverick: St Vincent
Best track: Paolo Nutini, Iron Sky
Best solo artist: Ed Sheeran
Q songwriter: Andy Partridge
Best album: Elbow, The Take Off and Landing of Everything
Best video: Jamie xx, Sleep Sound
Best live act: Kasabian
Q hero: The Charlatans
Outstanding contribution to music: XL Recordings, collected by Richard Russell
Q Inspiration: Simple Minds
Gibson Les Paul Award: Johnny Marr
Classic album: Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon
Innovation in sound: Jean Michel Jarre
Q Icon: Wilko Johnson
Q Idol: Culture Club
Best act in the world today: Kasabian