Chalk up another British Royal Honor for Sir Paul McCartney — this time a Companion of Honor Award from Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to music.
McCartney — who was named Knight of the British Order in 1997 and is a Member of the Order of the British Empire — said in a statement that, “I’m very happy about this huge humor and with the news coming on my birthday weekend (he turned 75 on Sunday, June 18) and Father’s Day it makes it colossal!”
McCartney’s fellow honorees on the queen’s Birthday Honors list included “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who also received a Companion of Honor Award, and pop singer Ed Sheeran, who was named an MBE.
McCartney is gearing up for the July 5 start of his next North American tour, in Miami.
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.