The singer said she is ‘honoured’ to be recognised by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Scottish music legend Lulu is to be awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the performing arts, marking over six decades in the spotlight.
The 76-year-old singer, whose career has spanned generations and genres, will receive the honorary degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) on Thursday, 3 July. The ceremony will be held in Glasgow, where she will be honoured alongside around 300 graduating students across disciplines such as music, drama, dance, production, film, and education.
Speaking ahead of the event, Lulu expressed her pride at being recognised by one of the world’s top performing arts institutions. “I’m so honoured to be nominated for an honorary doctorate and I’m so excited to join students for their summer graduation,” she said. “The performing arts are so vital to our culture and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a fabulous institution. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone.”
Born in Glasgow as Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, Lulu shot to fame as a teenager in the 1960s with her rousing rendition of Shout, a song that remains a staple of British pop culture. Since then, she has enjoyed a remarkable career that has seen her top charts, represent the UK at Eurovision, host her own television shows, and collaborate with major artists such as David Bowie and Take That.
Despite her decades in the business, Lulu shows no signs of slowing down. Last year, she performed at the iconic Glastonbury Festival and earlier this year took her Champagne for Lulu tour on the road — a sell-out run she has described as her final major outing. Yet, with several high-profile performances still scheduled for 2024, including slots at Mighty Hoopla in London, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and the HebCelt Festival in the Outer Hebrides, Lulu’s swan song is still very much a celebration.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s principal, Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, praised Lulu’s enduring influence on the arts. “Lulu has redefined what it means to be a performer – from timeless hits to her versatility across music, stage and television,” he said. “Her passion, creativity and connection with audiences have made her one of the UK’s most beloved entertainers.”
Lulu will be joined by two other distinguished figures receiving honorary doctorates: acclaimed Scottish theatre designer Bunny Christie and legendary American jazz musician and educator Wynton Marsalis.
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Christie, whose groundbreaking work in set and costume design has elevated the theatrical experience on both sides of the Atlantic, said she was thrilled to be recognised by the conservatoire. “As a production designer born in Scotland, I am delighted to accept an honorary doctorate in production from the world-renowned Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which trains the young designers of the future who join the UK’s hugely successful and profitable visual and creative industries,” she said.
Wynton Marsalis, a Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning musician known for his pioneering work in both jazz and classical music, will also be honoured. He has long been an advocate for music education and is widely celebrated for promoting the arts as a force for cultural understanding and unity.
Professor Sharkey added: “Honorary doctorates are awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their respective fields and our cultural landscape, and Bunny Christie, Lulu and Wynton Marsalis exemplify this at the highest level. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in July, where we’ll celebrate our graduating class of 2025.”
As Lulu prepares to don her cap and gown, the occasion marks yet another milestone in a dazzling career. And while the singer may be stepping back from major touring, this latest accolade cements her legacy as one of Scotland’s — and Britain’s — most iconic and enduring performers.
