Legendary rock icon to be awarded hon degree

Tuesday 15 June 2004

Legendary American folk-rock singer Bob Dylan is to be awarded an honorary degree by the University of St Andrews.

The University will make Bob Dylan a Doctor of Music at this year’s summer Graduations (Wednesday 23rd June 2004). Dylan has only ever accepted one other honorary degree – from Princeton University in 1970.

Announcing the honour, the University’s Principal and Vice- Chancellor, Dr Brian Lang, said: “Bob Dylan is an iconic figure for the 20th Century, particularly for those of us whose formative years were the 1960s and 70s. His songs, and in particular his lyrics, are still part of our consciousness. We are very pleased to take this opportunity of honouring such a major artist”.

Best known for classic hits such as ‘Like a Rolling Stone’, ‘Mr Tambourine Man’, ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ and ‘The Times They are a Changin”, singer-songwriter Dylan is credited as being one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century. Fusing rock, country, folk and blues, Dylan’s unique sound and political lyrical content made him a poetic spokesman for the sixties generation. He remains as much an influence amongst current rock musicians as he was to the Beatles and the Stones in the sixties.

Bob Dylan’s compositions are treated respectfully by academic critics. Professor Christopher Ricks (Oxford University) published ‘Dylan’s Vision of Sin’ in 2003 and Neil Corcoran, Professor of English Literature at the University of St Andrews has edited a collection of essays on ‘Dylan, Do You Mr Jones?’ (2002). Dylan’s laureation address will be given by Professor Corcoran.

Dylan is currently on tour in Europe and – after receiving his honorary degree – will play the first of two nights in Glasgow.

Bob Dylan will be awarded his honorary degree at the afternoon graduation ceremony on Wednesday 23rd June 2004 in Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

Further information re. media access to the ceremony / photocall will be released prior to the ceremony.

 

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected] Ref: Bob Dylan pr 160604.doc View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk


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