Bob Dylan Receives Prestigious Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music After Decades-Long Wait
In a surprise move, legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has accepted an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music. This honor marks the first time he's received such recognition from an American college or university since 1970.
Dylan expressed his gratitude to the college in a statement, saying that he was "thankful" and "pleasantly surprised" by the gesture. He also hinted at what could have been if he had attended Berklee during his formative years, noting that learning from great musicians would have certainly shaped his career path.
The college's administration cited Dylan's "extraordinary influence on modern music" and his "lifelong commitment to creative exploration" as reasons for the honor. President Jim Lucchese stated that recognizing Dylan is a way to reaffirm the institution's focus on cultivating creativity and truth through sound and language, values that are deeply ingrained in Berklee's mission.
Matt Glaser, artistic director of the college's American Roots Music Program, highlighted Dylan's profound impact on African-American blues traditions, which parallels much of Berklee's curriculum. He also praised Dylan as a great teacher and learner who continues to inspire others through his work and writings.
The occasion is particularly notable given Dylan's past connection with Berklee, having dropped out of the University of Minnesota in 1959 before attending the college. Although he received an honorary degree from Scotland's University of St. Andrews in 2004, it would be his first honor from a U.S. institution since Princeton awarded him one in 1970.
Dylan's acceptance of the degree comes with no plans for him to attend a ceremony or other commemorative event, but the college is staging a concert on Wednesday evening featuring students and alumni performing Dylan classics. The event will culminate in a unique rendition of "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" where students take turns singing each verse.
This honor serves as a testament to Dylan's enduring legacy and influence on modern music, cementing his place among the pantheon of American musical icons.
In a surprise move, legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has accepted an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music. This honor marks the first time he's received such recognition from an American college or university since 1970.
Dylan expressed his gratitude to the college in a statement, saying that he was "thankful" and "pleasantly surprised" by the gesture. He also hinted at what could have been if he had attended Berklee during his formative years, noting that learning from great musicians would have certainly shaped his career path.
The college's administration cited Dylan's "extraordinary influence on modern music" and his "lifelong commitment to creative exploration" as reasons for the honor. President Jim Lucchese stated that recognizing Dylan is a way to reaffirm the institution's focus on cultivating creativity and truth through sound and language, values that are deeply ingrained in Berklee's mission.
Matt Glaser, artistic director of the college's American Roots Music Program, highlighted Dylan's profound impact on African-American blues traditions, which parallels much of Berklee's curriculum. He also praised Dylan as a great teacher and learner who continues to inspire others through his work and writings.
The occasion is particularly notable given Dylan's past connection with Berklee, having dropped out of the University of Minnesota in 1959 before attending the college. Although he received an honorary degree from Scotland's University of St. Andrews in 2004, it would be his first honor from a U.S. institution since Princeton awarded him one in 1970.
Dylan's acceptance of the degree comes with no plans for him to attend a ceremony or other commemorative event, but the college is staging a concert on Wednesday evening featuring students and alumni performing Dylan classics. The event will culminate in a unique rendition of "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" where students take turns singing each verse.
This honor serves as a testament to Dylan's enduring legacy and influence on modern music, cementing his place among the pantheon of American musical icons.
Can you even imagine what would've happened if Bob Dylan had gotten that Berklee degree back in the day? 
He'd probably be teaching songwriting workshops instead of breaking hearts with "Like a Rolling Stone" 
. Anyway, I'm so stoked he's finally getting the recognition he deserves. The college is doing an amazing job showcasing his impact on music and it's rad that they're giving students a chance to pay tribute in their own way 
. Plus, who wouldn't want to hear "It's Alright, Ma" sung by a whole room of Berklee students? 
and it's amazing to see Berklee College giving him the recognition he deserves. But let's be real, 1970?! Like what took them so long to offer him an honorary degree? 
wasnt Berklee just chillin since then?
he was actually supposed to go there back in the day but dropped out instead and now they're giving him the recognition he deserves 
did u know that matt glaser from berklee's american roots music program said dylan was a great teacher and learner who inspires others through his work? 
anyway, the college is staging this epic concert on wednesday with students and alumni performing his classics 
he's been makin music for like, forever and it's crazy he never got this honor from an american college till now. i mean, 1970? that's like ancient history in music years 
but at the same time, it's not suprisein me he dropped out of u of minnesota to pursue his dreams tho. that takes a lot of guts 
and i love how berklee is recognizin his impact on american blues traditions 
. but hey, i guess it's cool that berklee is giving him some recognition after all these years. maybe it's just a nice way to acknowledge his impact on the music scene and encourage younger artists to keep pushing boundaries... who knows? anyway, bob dylan's still bob dylan, you know? 
. The fact that Berklee College of Music wants to honor him is just icing on the cake...I can imagine how proud he must be right now 
and his contributions to music are still felt today 
. It's awesome that they're celebrating his commitment to creative exploration and truth through sound 
. The fact that students will be performing his classics is so cool 
! It's like a dream come true for Dylan fans everywhere 
. And can we talk about the fact that he was dropped out of Uni in 1959 but still went on to become one of the most influential musicians ever? 
Talk about perseverance 
!
! he's been making waves in music for like, forever 
, and it's amazing that berklee is finally recognizing his impact 
would've been like having one of the greatest musicians ever right on campus! 
just saw that bob dylan got an honorary doc from berklee college of music after decades of waiting... like what took so long? 
anyway, can't say i'm surprised, his career has been pretty meh for a while now 
, never knew that connection existed. what do you guys think this honor says about bob dylan's impact on music? 
i mean, who wouldn't want to learn from the master himself? 
and let's be real, it's going to be epic when those students take turns singing "it's alright ma" on wednesday evening