Bruce Springsteen is to become a Fellow of the Ivors Academy, making him the first international songwriter to achieve this feat.
These awards are regarded as the best in creative musical achievements. The recipients are also decided by award-winning songwriters and composers from the Ivors Academy.
This is the highest honour offered by the organisation, and means that Springsteen is the first ever international songwriter inducted by the Academy into Fellowship.
Springsteen has been recognised by the Fellowship of the Ivors Academy for his “outstanding contribution to the craft of songwriting”, as well as his undeniable impact on the UK’s cultural landscape.
The singer will receive this honour at this year’s instalment of the Ivors, which takes place at London’s Grosvenor’s Hotel on May 23.
“deeply appreciative”
Bruce Springsteen is the 27th Fellow of the Academy, joining a list of musicians including Sir Paul McCartney, Joan Armatrading CBE, Kate Bush CBE, and Sting who were all inducted last year.
Reacting to this news, Springsteen had this to say.
“I’m proud to be the first international songwriter to be recognised by The Ivors Academy. In addition to recognising my songwriting, the award stands as a tribute to the fans and friends who have supported me and my work for the last fifty years”, the Boss said.
He added, “This entire country has made me feel welcome every step of the way, and for this, I will always remain deeply appreciative”.
Tom Gray, Chair of the Ivors Academy also paid homage to Bruce Springsteen, saying that he could not think of a more fitting inductee.
“There is no one more fitting than Bruce Springsteen to be the first international songwriter inducted into our Fellowship”, he said. “Songwriters are powerful storytellers, who capture our lives, loves and hardships. Bruce has always told the greatest stories. The Fellowship marks the esteem in which he is held by all those who share his craft”.
It was also confirmed that a limited edition vinyl of ‘The Best of Bruce Springsteen in Jersey Devil Red’ would be made available to Amazon, to mark the award from the Academy.
Bruce Springsteen who has sold over 140 million records in his 50 year career, recently returned to the touring stage having cancelled previous gigs, after suffering with a peptic ulcer.
In a recent interview, Springsteen admitted to worrying that he would never be able to sing again. More on this from Nova here.
