Chuck Rainey Receives Honorary Doctorate of Music
After years of taking us all to school, Chuck Rainey has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Berklee College of Music. The legend of the low end was presented with the honorary degree on May 7th during the 2022 Commencement ceremony at Boston University’s Agganis Arena.
Berklee recognized Rainey along with other honorary doctorate recipients for “cementing a place in American culture as artistic innovators, unique creators, and impactful community builders that continue to connect and inspire global audiences everywhere.” His illustrious career includes recording and touring with artists like Sam Cook, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, The Supremes, Donny Hathaway, and many more. (Read about some of his most famous bass lines in our Stories Behind the Songs interview from 2012.)
“As long as you love what you’re doing, you’re going to be appreciated and taken care of,” said Rainey. “In my career, I ran into so many situations where I thought it was the end for me. I’m a cancer survivor, I’m a stroke survivor, and a lot of that survival is because of the love from my family.”
Watch Rainey receive his degree:
Congratulations to Chuck Rainey!
