Rockers are being honored with degrees all over the UK this summer.
First it was Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson (Queen Mary University, London), then former Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord (University Of Leicester), and now Jeff Beck has been added to the list.
All three musicians have received Honorary Doctor Of Music degrees, with Beck picking his up at the University of Sussex.
Your Local Guardian reports Beck, who was born in Wallington and lived on Demesne Road, spent his early years singing in a church choir before going on to form The Rumbles in neighboring Croydon.
The six-time Grammy award winner. who shot to fame as a part of 60's brit-rockers The Yardbirds. is one of the few musicians to appear in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
Beck, 67, becomes a Doctor of Music at the University following a nomination from the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) with whom he has been working closely with in recent years.
He received his award from university's Chancellor, the comedian and actor Sanjeev Bhaskar (pictured above), before telling graduates: "If you dream of something you really like to do then I suggest you follow it. It's not about the money. It might be as elusive as the rainbow. Just stick with your dream even if it's not as rewarding financially."
Jeff Beck Jeff Beck – Beck’s Bolero/Immigrant Song/Peter Gunn Theme
With guest Jimmy Page
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction
Cleveland, OH – April 4, 2009
See also:
Jeff Beck announces Canadian tour
