Bob Dylan was awarded an honorary doctorate from Princeton
University. The decision to honor Dylan at the school’s 1970
graduation ceremony was somewhat unconventional at the time
and not only did it raise eyebrows among the Princeton crowd,
it also made Dylan uncomfortable.
According to news reports of the ceremony, Dylan initially refused
to wear a cap and gown and did not speak directly with any staff
or students at the school. Instead, he communicated through his
wife and through singer David Crosby, who had accompanied him
on the trip to Princeton.
Dylan found the experience so unsettling that he wrote about it in
a song on his album. "Day of the Locusts" where he describes the
experience and expresses relief that the event is behind him,
declaring: “Sure was glad to get out of there alive.”
Dylan (R) receiving his honorary doctorate
Bob Dylan turned 71 on May 21
