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CONGRATULATIONS ROY!

"I've been in the business for more years than I care to remember but I've never received an award that's meant more to me than this one does." - Roy Wood, 18 January 2008

The University of Derby's Roy Wood Photo Gallery

Full Video of introduction and Roy's acceptance

Video of graduation ceremony, courtesy BBC East Midlands Today

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ROY TAKES TO THE STAGE ONCE AGAIN TO PICK UP AN HONORARY DOCTORATE

Derby Evening Telegraph
19 January 2008

The last time musician Roy Wood stepped onto the stage at Derby's Assembly Rooms he could have little imagined his next gig there would be to receive an honorary degree.

Famed for a music career spanning more than 40 years, he is forever known as Mr Christmas because of the perennial festive favourite I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.

From now on, that will have to be changed to Dr Christmas after the university honoured him with a doctorate in music for his contribution to British popular music through his writing, production and performance.

Mr Wood was clearly overwhelmed by the occasion and expressed his deep gratitude at receiving the honour.

A citation lasting five minutes was read out by university pro vice-chancellor Musa Mihsein, which listed all of Mr Wood's musical achievements since 1966.

During those years, Mr Wood has founded The Move, famed for having the first single on Radio One (Flowers in the Rain), the Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard.

He has written more than 30 hit singles and is one of very few artists to have had a number one single with three different bands.

Speaking to the audience he said: "I have never received an award that means as much as this one.

"Having it will spur me on to write even more material. This is brilliant, thank you very much."

One of the first new pieces of music he might tackle is something for the university itself.

After the lunchtime ceremony was over, he revealed that he had been approached by the university to do this.

Photo courtesy University of Derby

Mr Wood, who has lived in Derbyshire for 12 years, said: "I would like to do something like that. What it will be I don't know at the moment. But whatever I can do I will.

"I have visited the two recording studios at the new Markeaton Street campus and I think they have the making of something very good.

"It would be great to encourage young people to produce good music and I think they can at the university."

Mr Wood is anxious to nurture young people who put their love of music at the heart of what they do.

He said: "When I started out in a band at 14 it was because I loved the music.

"Setting out for a gig in North Wales, from Birmingham, and breaking down in the Welsh mountains was all part of the apprenticeship that musicians have to go through.

"Reality shows as a whole have taken the shine off entertainment and people seem to be seeking fame and money more, especially in music shows.

"If your music is good enough, the fame will come whether you want it or not."

Mr Wood said he could not believe that such a detailed account of everything he had done had been read out.

He added: "When you hear it like that it's really strange and it makes you realise that the time has flown by almost without noticing it."

Copyright © 2008 Derby Telegraph Media Group Ltd.

Photo courtesy University of Derby