Honorary degree presented to internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall

Manchester Met has presented an honorary degree to internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall, in recognition of his rich contribution to music, both in the UK and beyond.

Hucknall, the lead singer of soul band Simply Red, received the award at a graduation ceremony at the Bridgewater Hall, telling the audience he was ‘really honoured’, and congratulating students for their hard work during their studies.

Hucknall was presented with the honorary Doctorate of Arts (DArt) from Professor Martyn Evans, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Manchester Met, for his services to music during his impressive career.

On receiving the award, Hucknall told the ceremony: “I’m really honoured to receive this and it means a great deal to me and my family who are here today.

“Growing up in East Manchester, I didn’t know anybody who went to university. I studied Fine Art, but music was always bubbling away. It doesn’t mean to say that what you are now is what you will be in ten years time.

“You may end up taking a different path, a different subject but what you learn will always be there inside you, this experience that you had and it’s something to really treasure. I wish you all the best for your future and every success in every endeavour you take.”

Professor Evans, who presented the honorary degree, said: “As Pro-Vice-Chancellor, I usually provide the welcome address for graduation ceremonies for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Today my role is different, and it’s a great pleasure to introduce Mick Hucknall with an honorary award.

“Mick remains a proud Mancunian and credits the city with the amazing start it gave him. The synergies between music and art are the norm for art school students and this was very much the case for Mick. His passion for art and music fed each other, but ultimately there would be only one winner.

“In 1984, Simply Red emerged out of the streets and clubs of Manchester in a post punk era and within 12 months they were riding high in the British charts. Simply Red’s career are what dreams are made of.”

Manchester-born Hucknall, who graduated from Manchester Met’s Manchester School of Art, then known as Manchester Polytechnic, with a BA in Fine Art in 1981, is the internationally acclaimed lead singer and songwriter of Simply Red.

The band have been performing internationally for almost 40 years, selling more than 50 million albums, and achieving an impressive 30 top 40 UK hits. Hucknall also has a successful solo career, and is one of the founders of the reggae label Blood and Fire.

He received an Ivor Novello Award in 1992 and was named as songwriter of the year, before winning an Outstanding Achievement award from MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) in 1997. 

Alongside his musical success, Hucknall has supported several philanthropic causes and has helped numerous charities including Amnesty International, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages, St Mungo’s, and Teenage Cancer Trust.