And when you meet them, you know immediately. There's a huge cement brick wall between those that get it and those that don't. "I think it's just an overblown ego that forgets humility.I like to call myself a realist because I don't put the veneer over. "Humility is really important because it keeps you fresh and new," said Tyler after the 2003 Commencement. He sang one of his classic songs with a student band in front of 1,200 people. He has made this impression during two recent visits to Berklee: last May, when he began a long clinic by greeting legions of students on his way to the stage and this May, when he did what Berklee's rock star honorees almost never do. He talks a lot and occasionally bursts into song in the middle of a sentence, but rather than seem off-putting, his hyperactivity is part of a friendly and accessible charm. Steven Tyler, moments after receiving his honorary degree.Īlthough you might not guess it from his charismatic onstage persona, Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler comes across, in person, as a pretty regular guy. 1991: Ahmet Ertegun, Phil Collins, Al Jarreau.1997: Chick Corea, Andraé Crouch, Henry Mancini.1998: Carly Simon, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller.
2000: Herb Alpert, Patti Austin, John Sykes.2001: Steely Dan, Larry Linkin, William Davis.2005: Anita Baker, Ron Carter, Kevin Eubanks.2006: Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Andy McGhee, Elliot Scheiner.2007: Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the Edge, Andrew Hill.2008: Philip Bailey, Maurice White, Steve Winwood, Howard Shore, Rosa Passos.2009: Smokey Robinson, Linda Ronstadt, Juan Luis Guerra, George Massenburg.2010: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Paco de Lucia, Angelique Kidjo, Kenny Barron.2011: Mavis Staples, Michael McDonald, Chucho and Bebo Valdes, Kenny Garrett.2012: The Eagles, Alison Krauss, Mulatu Astatke.2013: Carole King, Willie Nelson, Annie Lennox.2014: Jimmy Page, Valerie Simpson, Geri Allen, Thara Memory.2015: Julio Iglesias, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Harvey Mason, Doug Morris.2016: Rita Moreno, the Isley Brothers, Lucian Grainge, Milton Nascimento.2017: Shin Joong Hyun, Neil Portnow, Lionel Richie, Todd Rundgren, Lucinda Williams.2018: Rosanne Cash, Nile Rodgers, Esperanza Spalding.2019: Missy Elliott, Alex Lacamoire, Justin Timberlake.2020: Mikhail Baryshnikov, André De Shields, Sheila E., John Legend, Cassandra Wilson.