Sir Paul McCartney has honoured musician Midge Ure and actor JONATHAN PRICE by making them Companions of the arts institute he helped create in 1996.
The former Beatles star hosted graduation day at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in Liverpool, England on Friday (30Jul10).
Music producer Alan Moulder and theatre designer Christopher Oram were also honoured at the ceremony.
Ure says, "I would have loved something like this as a kid growing up in the outskirts of Glasgow, someone to nurture whatever drive I had. I am one of the very lucky few, I get to wake up in the morning and fulfil my passions."
MCCartney, who is LIPA's lead patron, adds, "When anyone asks me what this day is like, I always say I love coming here because the joy, hope and the spirit is so evident. It's very special emotionally to be part of this day."