AC/DC singer Brian Johnson received an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne on Wednesday, and video of his acceptance speech is available for fans to check out.

The degree recognizes the significant contribution Johnson has made to the music industry as lead singer of one of the world’s most successful rock bands for the past three decades.

“When I first heard about this great honor, I was humbled … especially since it’s from my hometown university,” said Johnson. “I was an engineering student myself here a long time ago.”

The rocker was born along the river from the University at Dunston and performed with a series of bands before finding Top 20 success with Geordie during the Glam Rock era of the 1970s.

Brian joined AC/DC in 1980 as lead vocalist and his first album with the group, “Back In Black”, is one of the most successful albums of all time, selling over 22 million copies in the US alone.

More on this story