Scots musical star awarded honorary doctorate

A Scots musical star has been presented with an honorary doctorate from the University of West of Scotland (UWS).

Benny Gallagher, one half of the famous musical duo Gallagher and Lyle, received the award at a ceremony held in Paisley Abbey on Thursday.

Allan Dumbreck delivered Gallagher’s laureation speech which looked back on his incredible 50+ year career.

Reflecting on the day he said: “It’s fantastic to receive this Honorary Doctorate. Educating musicians is something I’m extremely passionate about and it’s been amazing to see the Commercial Music course go from strength to strength over the past 20 years.”

Benny Gallagher (Image: University of West of Scotland) Between 1998 and 2002, Gallagher, who is originally from Largs, was the driving force behind the SMART school concept (Scottish Music and Recording Technology school) which he developed with South Ayrshire Council and Scottish Enterprise.

This project led to UWS successfully bidding to be the academic partner and setting up the BA (Hons) Commercial Music course.

The programme has been running since 2001 and has produced more than 1000 graduates.

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Graduation is the pinnacle of the university calendar.

“It gives us the opportunity to both reflect on the amazing achievements of our students and to celebrate this most important of milestones with their friends and families, as well as the whole UWS community who have supported them throughout their time at university.

“We are delighted to present Benny Gallagher with this Honorary Doctorate. Through his work with key industry representatives, management companies and higher education, he has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the UK and wider global music industries.

“Coming from a small Ayrshire town, we know he is a genuine role model for aspiring Scottish music professionals, particularly those local to the Ayr campus where the BA (Hons) Commercial Music course is based.”

In the late 1960s, Gallagher was hired as an in-house songwriter for the Beatles' independent music company Apple Corps.

He then went on to work with Faces bassist Ronnie Lane before becoming a founding member of McGuinness Flint and Gallagher and Lyle alongside Graham Lyle, who later wrote hits including What’s Love Got To Do With It for Tina Turner.

Gallagher and Lyle released five albums including the gold-selling Breakaway in 1976 featuring the top ten singles I Wanna Stay With You and Heart On My Sleeve.

In the 1990s Gallagher co-founded and served as Chairman of the royalties campaigning body PARMA.

This was set up to ensure that musicians received a fair share of royalties from recordings and performances thus protecting the rights and income of hundreds of thousands of musicians across the UK.

Now in his 70s, Gallagher continues to support education and welfare for musicians.