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.