This year, American rock icon Bruce Springsteen will receive an Ivors Academy Fellowship, the highest honor bestowed by the UK-based organization. It marks the first time a foreign songwriter has been recognized with this prestigious award.
The Ivors Academy announced on Tuesday that the 74-year-old guitarist and singer-songwriter will be honored at the annual songwriters’ and screen composers’ awards, the Ivors, in May in London. He will be recognized “for his outstanding contribution to the craft of songwriting and his impact on the UK’s cultural landscape.”
The singer of “Born in the U.S.A.” and “The River” will join the ranks of notable individuals such as Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Elton John, and Sting. He will become the 27th Fellow of the Academy.
“Proud to be the first international songwriter to be recognized by The Ivors Academy,” declared Springsteen.
“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 50 years,” he stated in a statement.
“This entire country has made me feel welcome every step of the way, and for this, I will always remain deeply appreciative.”
Bruce Springsteen, whose recording career spanned over 50 years, has sold more than 140 million recordings worldwide. His career began with the publication of his first album “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” in 1973.
Transitioning from his roots in New Jersey, the artist known as “The Boss” has amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including an Oscar and 20 Grammy Awards. In 1999, his achievements were solidified when he was admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2022, he released his 21st studio album, “Only the Strong Survive,” which is a compilation of R&B and soul covers.
The Ivors Academy chair, Tom Gray, stated, “Songwriters are powerful storytellers who capture our lives, loves, and hardships. Bruce has always told the greatest stories.”
The Ivor Awards were first presented in 1956 and are named for the Welsh composer, actor, and entertainer of the early 20th century, Ivor Novello.
The list of nominees for this year’s honors, which will take place on May 23rd, will be released to the public the month following the announcement of this year’s fellows.
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