Being declared a knight is one of the highest honours one can get in the UK. Many musicians have been knighted: Mick Jagger, Van Morrison, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Bob Geldof, Bono, Roger Daltrey, and Brian May, among them. David Bowie would be on this list, but when he was offered the opportunity, he turned it down.
I quote: “I would suggest they give it to someone who gives a damn. There are some people who kind of feel it’s something that enhances their life and whatever. I’m not sure what I’d do with it. I’d lose it or break it or put it in a drawer and lose the key. I wouldn’t know what it’s for, I wouldn’t know how it would enhance my life. It’s not on my shopping list.”
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