Two for £495 on e-Bay – “dispatched once they’ve been received from promoters”
He’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He’s had his picture simultaneously on the cover of Newsweek and Time. He’s had a minor planet named after him. And he’s got a fistful of Grammys and an Oscar.
Now American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen could be set to add to his prestigious awards haul with an honorary doctorate in music from Leeds Metropolitan University.
The Boss is one of 17 nominees for honorary awards who have been approved by the university’s Academic Board.
While most of the others have a local connection, Springsteen’s citation reads:
Bruce Springsteen (Honorary Doctorate of Music) – popular award–winning American singer-songwriter, first act to perform at the Leeds arena in July 2013
The 17 include Olympic gold medalist Nicola Adams, Leeds-educated comedian and writer Barry Cryer, Leeds-born novelist David Peace, Leeds Met graduate and Britain’s most decorated female Paralympian in history Dame Sarah Storey and local businessman and philanthropist Edward Ziff.
So far 11 of the 17 have accepted the invitation to receive an award at graduation ceremonies in July.
No word yet from Mr Springsteen, who plays the opening gig at the Leeds first direct arena on Wednesday 24th July, but has no tour dates on the Thursday or Friday. Plenty of time to rent a mortar board and nip up to Carnegie on the No 1. Or pop across Woodhouse Lane to the Rose Bowl.
If he accepts, let’s hope he has a happier time of it than Dylan did when he picked up his honorary doctorate at Princeton.
I put down my robe, picked up my diploma
Took hold of my sweetheart and away we did drive
Straight for the hills, the black hills of Dakota
Sure was glad to get out of there alive
You can listen to the song – Day of the Locusts – here.
the leeds citizen 