Beatle Paul salutes ‘Boss’ Springsteen

Sir Paul McCartney has presented Bruce Springsteen with the Ivors Academy fellowship. Springsteen was previously named the first international songwriter to be inducted into the fellowship before the ceremony took place at Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Springsteen follows in the footsteps of Elton John, Kate Bush and Beatles legend McCartney who have been given the body’s highest honour. McCartney joked “unlike Bruce’s concerts” he was “going to keep this brief”, and then added he could not think of anyone “more fitting” to be first – except songwriters including Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan and Beyonce.

The British singer, the first to be given the prize, added that Springsteen, 74, was a “lovely, lovely boy” and a “friend”.

“He’s a fantastic guy and he showed up for me at Glastonbury,” he added.

“He’s known (as the)

American working man, but he’s never worked a day in his life.”

Springsteen reflected on not being able to find burgers in the UK when he arrived for his first gig in 1975, adding: “Cheeseburgers had either been hidden or replaced by something called fish and chips.”

“The Boss” joked that if London was not ready for burgers, they were not ready for him.

He added that he wanted to “thank you for taking me

into the cultural life of the UK” and “for seeing me as yours” and called the fellowship a “meaningful experience”.

London-born singer Raye was presented with the songwriter of the year prize.

The 26-year-old was described by Ivor judges as having “the voice of a generation” after the

release of her charttopping album, My 21st Century Blues.

She made history at the Brits in March, winning six awards, the most of any artist in one year, including album of the year.

However, at the Ivor Novellos, she lost out on best album to Black Classical Music, written by Yussef Dayes, Rocco

Palladino and Charlie Stacey.

Skepta, Lana Del Rey, Scot KT Tunstall and Bernie Taupin are all gift of the academy recipients so were honoured at the event with their awards.

The 2024 special international award celebrated the career and influence of Del Rey, who has had six UK No 1s.

GLORY DAY: Bruce Springsteen with his award and some guy from Liverpool.