Paul McCartney presents Bruce Springsteen with a Ivor Novello award

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On this day, Bruce Springsteen made history at the 2024 Ivor Novello Awards. He wasn’t just awarded the Academy Fellowship, the organization’s highest honor, but became the first international artist to ever receive it. The prestigious award was presented by none other than Paul McCartney, the very first artist to be inducted as a Fellow back in 2000.

Okay so, I found out a couple of things… Springsteen is a Dutch name. Did you know that? I didn’t… Anyway. In Dutch, what means “Man In Charge”, the word “Boss.” So from “Boss” to “Boss”… Anyway… so he’s the man in charge. So unlike Bruce’s concerts, I’m going to keep this brief. I said to him: I blame you man, we used to play like an hour, an hour and a half, The Beatles used to play like a half hour, he started doing what and we’re all playing three hours!

I can’t think of any more fitting person to be the first International songwriter Fellowship, except maybe Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Beyonce, Taylor Swift. The list goes on. Just kidding Bruce. Anyway… so I was wondering how Bruce would fit into the Beatles. When it comes to Talent he was definitely in the top five.

Anyway like I say he is amazing and me and my wife Nancy go out to their place in New Jersey and him and Patty are just the best hosts. I mean they really look after you and when you go there if it’s like in the winter he’s got a great big fire going, and the fire pit, so we sit outside you know have a little drink and chat about things… He is a fantastic guy, he’s a really nice guy. He showed up for me at Glastonbury and he promised to do that about 3 years before but then Covid hit and I thought, “well he’s never going to show up.” Sure enough he showed up. He’s a lovely boy, he’s known as being the American working man, you know, but he admits he’s never worked today in his life, it’s true. So he’s lovely lovely boy and, you know what, it’s great for me to be back here cuz I came here in the 60s. I know, I don’t look that old, but okay so great pleasure for me to present Mr Bruce, and here’s a film.

Paul McCartney’s introductory speech

Massively proud to have brought @springsteen to the Ivors and getting @PaulMcCartney to surprise everyone and do the honours. Thanks to all those (you know who you are) who assisted me. It made for an absolutely incredible moment for every songwriter and composer (and everyone else) in the room.

Tom Gray – From Tom Gray on X, May 25, 2024

Last updated on June 8, 2024