BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN- ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP

The first ever international songwriter to become a Fellow of The Ivors Academy was always going to be someone very special.

And songwriters don’t come any more extraordinary than Bruce Springsteen, who immediately declared himself a rare writing talent when he burst onto the scene with his 1973 debut album, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.

Since then, Springsteen has become an American icon and established himself as one of the most influential and inspirational songwriters of all time.

As anyone who has attended one of his epic live shows can attest, his songbook runs the gamut of emotions and situations, while his many albums have encapsulated the spirit of rock’n’roll like few others before or since.

From youthful love stories to tales of faded small-town glory; from pop smashes to political protest songs; from epic rock anthems to bruised ballads; you’ll find whatever you’re looking for in Springsteen classics from Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) to The River, from Born In The USA to Born to Run, and from Dancing In The Dark to Streets Of Philadelphia. Meanwhile, recent records such as 2019’s Western Stars and 2020’s Letter To You have been amongst the most acclaimed of his storied career.

And while his songs have always represented the authentic voice of blue-collar America, they have long connected with audiences beyond the United States, especially here in the UK, making him the perfect first international recipient of the Academy’s highest honour in its 80-year history – an award Springsteen says he is proud to receive.

“The award stands as a tribute to the fans and friends who have supported me and my work for the last 50 years,” he said. “This entire country has made me feel welcome every step of the way.”

And with this unprecedented award for a phenomenal songwriter, you can expect this particular UKUS ‘special relationship’ to only get stronger.