MAY 26, 2008 – In New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University awarded Sir Paul McCartney an honorary Doctorate of Music. In granting the honorary degree to McCartney the university said no one compares with the legendary songwriter.A band played “Hey Jude,” a Beatles hit, as McCartney walked on stage to accept the honorary degree. Yale University President Richard Levin evoked some of the songwriter’s most memorable lines while stating that the 65-year-old McCartney awakened a generation, giving a fresh sound to rock ‘n’ roll and to rhythm and blues.“Here, there and everywhere,” Levin said, quoting a line from a Beatles song, “you have pushed the boundaries of the familiar to create new classics. We admire your musical genius and your generous support of worthy causes.”New Haven was the site of a British invasion of sorts the day before as McCartney and former Prime Minister Tony Blair were in town for Yale’s 307th commencement. Blair’s eldest son Euan was completing a two-year master’s program in international relations, and the former prime minister gave a speech to Yale students on foreign relations. McCartney toured a downtown art gallery and dined with Yale dignitaries.
