Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page will receive honorary doctorate from Berklee

March. 13 (UPI) — Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page will receive an honorary doctorate degree from Boston’s Berklee College of Music.

Berklee is considered one of the most prestigious music schools in the country, and is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. The college will honor Page with the degree during a ceremony at the Agganis Arena on May 10.

“It’s truly an honour to be the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate at Berklee,” Page wrote to Rolling Stone. “The music of America has been a primary driving force in my early years and pivotal to my musical development.”

Musician and composer Geri Allen, singer and songwriter Valerie Simpson, and jazz trumpeter and composer Thara Memory will also be honored at the ceremony for their achievements. Everyone, including Page, will first be celebrated on May 9 with a student performance of music from the honorees’ careers.

Berklee has given musicians honorary degrees since 1971. Willie Nelson, Carole King and Aretha Franklin are among those who have been recognized.

Rolling Stone also announced on Thursday that Led Zeppelin will re-release their first three LPs this summer. Previously unreleased material will be included on the albums.

Rolling Stone