Bruce Springsteen playfully teased by Paul McCartney during prestigious London awards event
Bruce Springsteen made history as the first global songwriter honored with a fellowship from the Ivors Academy after 80 years, but not before enduring good-natured banter from a renowned fellow musician at the ceremony.
Bruce Springsteen made history by becoming the first international songwriter to receive a fellowship from the Ivors Academy in its 80-year history. However, before he received this prestigious award, he had to endure some playful teasing from one of his most famous peers.
The induction ceremony took place at Grosvenor House in London during the Ivor Novello Awards on Thursday night. Paul McCartney, who was the academy's inaugural fellow, had the honor of inducting Springsteen into the fellowship.
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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performing in Connecticut in April.
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The ceremony where the former Beatle praised the recipient of the fellowship was not shown on TV. According to the BBC, he mentioned that he believed the recipient was very deserving, comparing them to other iconic musicians like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift.
"He'd easily be in the top five when it comes to talent," he said, picturing how Springsteen would have blended with the Beatles.
In a clip shared on social media, McCartney referred to him as the American working man. "But he confesses he's never really worked a day in his life," McCartney added.
The American musician was described as a lovely boy by him.
The fellowship is the most prestigious award given by the organization, which is the professional association for songwriters and composers in the United Kingdom.
Tom Gray, chair of the academy, expressed in a press release that Bruce Springsteen is the perfect choice as the first international songwriter to be inducted into our Fellowship.
Songwriters have a special talent for telling powerful stories that resonate with our experiences of life, love, and struggles. Bruce has a unique ability to share the greatest stories through his music.
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During the ceremony, Springsteen received a standing ovation as shown in a video on social media. Despite his hoarse voice during the acceptance speech, he explained it was due to singing in the typical British rain the night before.
"I might sound a bit strange right now because I was singing in the rain all night last night," he mentioned during his speech.
He expressed his gratitude to his fans in Britain, as well as to the talented musicians and artists in the UK who have inspired him.
Springsteen expressed his gratitude towards his fans for their deep understanding of his work and unwavering dedication. He credits them for keeping him motivated and inspired to delve deeper into his art and connect more authentically with their emotions and experiences.
To conclude his speech, Springsteen treated the audience to a performance of his iconic 1975 hit "Thunder Road," a song that Rolling Stone has recognized as one of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
Other honorees at this year’s Ivors included Lana Del Rey, Skepta, KT Tunstall and Raye.
Editor's P/S:
Bruce Springsteen's induction into the Ivors Academy fellowship is a testament to his extraordinary songwriting talent. His unique ability to craft relatable and evocative narratives through his music has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and countless fans worldwide. The fellowship, which recognizes his contributions as an international songwriter, is a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy.
Springsteen's acceptance speech, despite his hoarse voice, was a heartfelt expression of gratitude to his fans and fellow musicians. His acknowledgment of the influence of British artists on his work highlights the interconnectedness of the music world. The performance of his timeless hit "Thunder Road" at the ceremony was a poignant reminder of the enduring power of his songwriting.
