Jeff Beck

Groundbreaking guitarist Jeff Beck will receive an honorary degree at a University of Sussex graduation ceremony next week at the Brighton Dome. 

Beck, who will become Doctor of Music, will receive his award at the graduation ceremony for the School of Media, Film and Music on Thursday 21 July. 

The honorary doctorate bestowed on Jeff Beck celebrates the relationship between the University and BIMM, where Beck has proved to be an inspiration and support to future generations of musicians.

Students who study for the BA Honours in Professional Musicianship at BIMM have their degree validated and awarded by Sussex. 

The college, which has provided vocational and higher education courses in modern music since first opening its doors in Brighton in 2001, nominated Beck for the honour. 

Bruce Dickinson, Education Director at BIMM, will present Beck for his degree. 

Bruce says: "Jeff Beck was a prime mover in the invention of rock music as we know it and he is as much of an inspiration to the new generation of musicians as he was in previous decades. 

"In 2010, Jeff found time to visit BIMM and deliver a now legendary masterclass.  Those of us present will never forget the experience as, in his hands, a borrowed standard Fender Strat and Marshall amp produced the most incredible guitar tone and performance that we have ever heard." 

Harvey Goldsmiths, Jeff Beck's manager, says, "Jeff Beck has inspired generations of young guitarists and is delighted to be recognised for his work." 

Professor Michael Farthing, Vice-Chancellor, adds: "We are delighted to welcome Jeff Beck to the University of Sussex as Honorary Doctor of Music. While BIMM students benefit from the academic rigour provided by Sussex in validating their degree studies, they also undoubtedly benefit at BIMM from privileged contact with musicians of high calibre and reputation, such as Jeff Beck."

Beck is one of three guitarists, with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, to have played with The Yardbirds and he went on to form The Jeff Beck Group with Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart. 

He has also collaborated with a number of modern music icons including Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Steve Wonder, Kate Bush and Morrissey. 

He is one of a relative handful of musicians to have been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - both as a member of The Yardbirds and as a solo artist - and has received the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance six times. 

The ceremony takes place at 3.30pm and, like all five ceremonies, will be streamed live online at the Graduation web pages.