At a recent awards gala in London, Paul McCartney took the stage to present a major honor to his friend Bruce Springsteen—delivering a mix of admiration and light-hearted ribbing that delighted the crowd. Springsteen made history as the first artist from outside the U.K. to receive the Ivor Novello Academy Fellowship, a top accolade recognizing songwriting excellence.
McCartney didn’t miss the opportunity for a cheeky jab. “I couldn’t imagine a more deserving winner,” he said, before humorously suggesting other music legends like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift might have given Springsteen a run for the title. He poked fun at Springsteen’s rugged, blue-collar persona, quipping, “He looks like the working man’s hero—but the man’s never had a proper job in his life.” Still, McCartney praised his friend’s immense talent, adding, “He’s easily top five. Maybe.”
Accepting the honor, Springsteen kept the laughs coming as he shared a recent memory of performing in northern England’s notoriously harsh weather. “The rain was coming sideways, the wind howling,” he said. “And I thought, ‘What is this madness?’” But looking out at the soaked, cheering crowd, he felt a strong sense of kinship. “These folks—these are my people,” he said with a grin.
He also took the audience back to his first U.K. visit in 1975, chuckling about his less-than-stellar experience with airplane food and his hunt for American-style cheeseburgers upon landing. At the Hammersmith Odeon, he was greeted by a massive sign that read: “London is finally ready for Bruce Springsteen.” Laughing, he recalled thinking, “Are you sure London’s ready for me?”
The Ivor Novello Awards are determined by the Ivors Academy, and this year, Springsteen received their most prestigious honor. Fellow music great Bernie Taupin was also recognized for his Outstanding Contribution to British Music.
