American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen has been honored as the first international songwriter to be named a fellow of The Ivors Academy, the U.K’s professional association of music creators. The announcement was made on Tuesday, recognizing Springsteen's significant impact on the cultural landscape of the U.K.
With a career spanning over five decades, Springsteen has sold more than 140 million records worldwide. From his debut album 'Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ' in 1973 to his latest studio album 'Only the Strong Survive' released in 2022, the iconic musician has garnered numerous accolades, including 20 Grammy Awards, an Oscar, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In a statement released by the academy, the 74-year-old Springsteen expressed his pride in receiving the prestigious honor. He credited his fans and friends for their unwavering support throughout his career and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he has received in the U.K.
Following a brief hiatus due to health reasons, Springsteen recently made a triumphant return to the stage with the E Street Band in Phoenix, delivering a nearly three-hour performance. The rock legend had paused his tour in September to focus on recovering from peptic ulcer disease.
Springsteen is set to receive the award at The Ivors ceremony at Grovesnor House in London on May 23. The event will also see the announcement of the winner of the 2024 Ivor Novello award, with nominees for the prestigious songwriting prize to be revealed on April 23.
As the 27th Fellow of the Academy, Springsteen joins a distinguished list of songwriting icons, including Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading, and Sting. While he is the sole non-British songwriter to be honored, the fellowship also includes American composer John Adams and French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez.
