During Queen Elizabeth II’s more than 70-year reign, dozens of major music industry names were honored under the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, the order of chivalry designed to reward British individuals who have contributed to the arts and sciences, charity and public service in the U.K. This has included both famous and behind-the-scenes players in the industry, ranging from Elton John to Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge.
The five classes of the Order of the British Empire, in descending order of importance, are: Knight and Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight and Dame Commander (KBE and DBE, respectively), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE).
Not all music luminaries who have been offered these titles have accepted them. David Bowie famously turned down both a CBE and a knighthood (GBE) in 2000 and 2003, respectively. Of the latter honor, the icon reportedly told The Sun, “I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don’t know what it’s for. It’s not what I spent my life working for.”
Other high-profile music professionals who have declined honors over the years include John Lydon, aka Sex Pistols‘ Johnny Rotten (MBE); singer-songwriter Paul Weller (CBE); jazz musician Humphrey Lyttelton (knighthood); and George Harrison, who turned down an OBE three years after his Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney was knighted.
But overall, the list of music industry notables who have accepted these honors far outweighs those who turned them down. In the wake of the Queen’s death on Thursday (Sept. 8) at age 96, we’ve compiled a list of those individuals who did show up to receive their titles — and in turn earned the right to place a “Sir,” “Dame” or other designation alongside their names.
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Bob Geldof (GBE)
The Live Aid organizer and Boomtown Rats singer/songwriter was granted honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II on June 10, 1986, for his charity work. His knighthood is honorary because he’s an Irish citizen.
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Cliff Richard (GBE)
The singer — one of the best-selling artists of all time in the U.K. — was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 25, 1995.
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George Martin (GBE)
The record producer, nicknamed “The Fifth Beatle,” was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Nov. 12, 1996.
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Paul McCartney (GBE)
The Beatles superstar was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on March 11, 1997.
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Elton John (GBE)
The pop/rock legend was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on April 24, 1998.
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Placido Domingo (GBE)
The opera singer, one of The Three Tenors, received honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 14, 2002. His knighthood is honorary because he’s a Spanish citizen.
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Mick Jagger (GBE)
The Rolling Stones frontman was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 12, 2003.
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Tom Jones (GBE)
The Welsh pop singer was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on March 29, 2006.
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Bono (GBE)
The U2 frontman received honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II on March 29, 2007. His knighthood is honorary because he’s an Irish citizen.
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Rod Stewart (GBE)
The solo singer/songwriter and Faces frontman was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 12, 2016.
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Van Morrison (GBE)
The Northern Irish singer/songwriter was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Feb. 4, 2016.
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Lucian Grainge (GBE)
The Universal Music Group chairman and chief executive officer was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Nov. 29, 2016.
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Ray Davies (GBE)
The Kinks frontman was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on March 16, 2017.
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Ringo Starr (GBE)
The Beatles drummer joined his bandmate Paul McCartney as a knight on Dec. 29, 2017.
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Barry Gibb (GBE)
The Bee Gees singer/songwriter was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 29, 2017. Though the band is often associated with Australia because of their time living there, Gibb and his brothers were born in the U.K.
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Julie Andrews (DBE)
The Sound of Music star was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II on May 16, 2000.
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Eric Clapton (CBE)
The rock and blues guitarist and singer, a member of Cream, The Yardbirds, Blind Faith and more bands, received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Nov. 3, 2004.
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Sting (CBE)
The Police frontman and solo singer/songwriter was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 10, 2003.
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The Bee Gees (CBE)
While Barry Gibb was individually knighted in 2017, his brother trio The Bee Gees received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on May 27, 2004.
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Roger Daltrey (CBE)
The Who frontman received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 31, 2004.
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Brian May (CBE)
The Queen lead guitarist received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 7, 2005.
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Robert Plant (CBE)
The Led Zeppelin frontman received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on July 13, 2009.
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Max Hole (CBE)
The chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group International, born Christopher Charles Maxim Hole, received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 13, 2015.
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David Joseph (CBE)
The chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 31, 2015.
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Andrew Heath (CBE)
The Beggars Group chairman received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 7, 2019.
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Rick Wakeman (CBE)
The Yes keyboardist received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 11, 2021.
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Rob Stringer (CBE)
The chairman of Sony Music Group and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 31, 2021.
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Bernie Taupin (CBE)
Elton John’s longtime songwriting partner received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 31, 2021.
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Kylie Minogue (OBE)
The pop star received the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II on July 3, 2008.
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Annie Lennox (OBE)
The Eurythmics frontwoman and solo singer received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 28, 2011.
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Idris Elba (OBE)
The actor and DJ received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on March 11, 2016.
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Victoria Beckham (OBE)
The Spice Girls singer and fashion designer received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on April 19, 2017.
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Jacqueline Alway (OBE)
The executive vice-president international legal and industry affairs of Universal Music Publishing Group received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 8, 2019.
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Elvis Costello (OBE)
The singer/songwriter received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 7, 2019.
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Jeff Lynne (OBE)
The Electric Light Orchestra co-founder received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 12, 2020.
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Colin Lester (OBE)
The music manager received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 31, 2020.
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Alan Parsons (OBE)
The Alan Parsons Project composer received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 12, 2021.
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Roger Taylor (OBE)
The Queen drummer received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on March 30, 2022.
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Justin Hayward (OBE)
The Moody Blues frontman received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 23, 2022.
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The Beatles (MBE)
The Fab Four received the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 26, 1965.
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Adele (MBE)
The best-selling singer/songwriter received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 19, 2013.
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Ed Sheeran (MBE)
The pop singer/songwriter received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 7, 2017.
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M.I.A. (MBE)
The London-born Sri Lankan-British rapper received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 7, 2019.
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Jason Iley (MBE)
The Sony Music U.K. & Ireland chairman and CEO received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 9, 2020.
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Frances Moore (MBE)
The IFPI chief executive received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II on June 12, 2021.
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Mel B (MBE)
The Spice Girls singer, born Melanie Brown, received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II on May 4, 2022.