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Annie Lennox to deliver Berklee College commencement address

Print | Comments () Posted by Johanna Kaiser March 21, 2013 11:27 AM

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By Johanna Kaiser, Town Correspondent

Annie Lennox, the Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist, will deliver the commencement address this spring at the Berklee College of Music.

In addition to Lennox, the college will also honor two other big names in music: Carole King and Willie Nelson. All three will receive honorary doctorates of music.

The ceremony will be held May 11 at Agganis Arena.

The musicians are being recognized for what the school called "their achievements and influence in music, and for their enduring contributions to American and international culture."

Berklee has awarded honorary degrees to many well known musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Smokey Robinson, Steven Tyler, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Juan Luis Guerra, Loretta Lynn, Paco de Lucia, David Bowie, the Edge, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Chaka Khan, Bonnie Raitt, George Clinton, Alison Krauss, Kenneth Gamble, and Leon Huff.

Duke Ellington received the first honorary degree the school awarded in 1971.

This year's honorees will also hear a tribute to their work on the eve of commencement when students will perform their music.