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The Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA will bestow Honorary Doctor of Music degrees to Carole King, Willie Nelson and Annie Lennox at Boston University’s Agganis Arena on May 11. The honorees are recognised for their “achievements and influence in music, and for their enduring contributions to American and international culture”.

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Bob Dylan has become the first rock musician to be voted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, which recognises excellence in music, literature and visual art.

Dylan will be inducted as an honorary member as the Academy were unable to decide whether he belonged for his words or his music.

The Academy’s executive director, Virginia Dajani, told the Associated Press:

“The board of directors considered the diversity of his work and acknowledged his iconic place in the American culture. Bob Dylan is a multi-talented artist whose work so thoroughly crosses several disciplines that it defies categorization.”

The induction ceremony will take place in May, with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon delivering the keynote speech. Dylan has accepted the honour but it is not clear whether or not he will attend.

Motown’s legendary house band, the Funk Brothers, will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 21.

Guitarist Eddie Willis and percussionist Jack Ashford are among the musicians planning to attend the ceremony. Guitarist Joe Messina, 86, has also expressed an interest in attending, but no final decision has been made.

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The Rolling Stones won NME Awards for Best Live Band and Best Film on Wednesday night.

The legendary rockers were recognised for their recent series of 50th anniversary concerts and the critically acclaimed documentary “Crossfire Hurricane”.

Ronnie Wood was on hand to accept both awards. He also joined former Smiths guitarist, Johnny Marr, in a performance of “How Soon Is Now?”. Marr had picked up the quirkily named Godlike Genius award for his 30 years of music making.

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Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry will receive ASCAP’s annual Founders Award at the Pop Music Awards in April.

The Founders Award is presented to those who “have made exceptional contributions to music, inspiring and influencing their fellow creators.”

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