DOCTOR DOUG

Look who received degrees at Berklee’s 2015 commencement the other day. Honorary doctor of music degrees were handed out to Julio Iglesias, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Harvey Mason and inimitable song-and-dance man Doug Morris by Berklee President Roger H. Brown.

Before accepting his degree, Morris heard remarks read by President Brown from Bono, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Iovine and Simon Cowell acknowledging his influence on each of their careers. Then it was Doug’s turn.

“I’ve lived my dream,” he said. “Starting as a musician and a songwriter gave me a big advantage, because it gave me a commonality with the artists. I know what it’s like to be waiting for your record to come on the radio—it can give you a heart attack.

“Now, the industry is changing, but it’s not changing in any dramatic way. What’s changing is how we distribute and sell music. And, there would be nothing to distribute or sell if we didn’t have brilliant people creating what people love. When I got here I noticed something different, that everyone here loves music. It’s not like these tech companies who want the music to be free. I want the music to be valuable and worth something to everyone.”