Jarvis Cocker Gets Honorary Doctorate

Pulp singer honoured

One time Pulp singer turned solo star Jarvis Cocker is set to pick up an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University.

Jarvis Cocker is undoubtedly one of the finest lyrics of his generation. Capable of spinning tales worthy of the finest novelists the singer’s witty, literate take on the pop song turned Pulp into one of the nation’s best loved band.

Recent solo album ‘Further Distractions’ proved that the singer could still impress. However it wasn’t always like this, with Pulp holding the dubious record for having the longest spells between Peel sessions.

Struggling as a young student at Sheffield Hallam University the singer gave John Peel a demo tape, which helped kick start his career in music. Now the educational facility is set to award Jarvis Cocker an honorary doctorate degree.

The singer is set to pick up the degree from Sheffield Hallam University in November. Jarvis Cocker claims that the university gave him a start in art and music, and also led to him being given a place at London’s Central St Martin’s College in 1988.

“Sheffield Hallam started my career in two ways – firstly as a musician because John Peel ‘discovered’ us at Sheffield Polytechnic, and then as an artist,” Cocker explained to Uncut.

“If Sheffield Polytechnic hadn’t allowed me to study on an access course then I would never have got my place at St Martins.”

Of course, while at St. Martin’s the young Jarvis Cocker met a girl from Greece who had a thirst for knowledge inspiring the Pulp classic ‘Common People’. One of the most arresting singles released in the Britpop era, it seems that the seed for Pulp’s career was planted at Sheffield Hallam University.

Jarvis Cocker is set to pick up his honorary doctorate degree in November.

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