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One half of the famous musical duo, Gallagher and Lyle, has been recognised as part of University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) graduations.

Benny Gallagher, originally from Largs, was celebrated as part of a ceremony taking place at Paisley Abbey today (Thursday 4 July).

Between 1998 and 2002, Benny Gallagher was the primary driving force behind the SMART school concept (Scottish Music and Recording Technology school), which he developed with South Ayrshire Council and Scottish Enterprise. The project led to UWS (then University of Paisley) successfully bidding to be the academic partner and set up the BA (Hons) Commercial Music course. As a direct result, the programme has been running since 2001 and continues to recruit healthily and has produced more than 1,000 graduates.

Benny Gallagher was hired as an in-house songwriter for the Beatles independent music company Apple Corps in the late 1960’s. He then worked with Faces bassist Ronnie Lane before progressing to be a founding member of McGuinness Flint and Gallagher and Lyle with Graham Lyle, who later wrote “What’s Love Got To Do With It” for Tina Turner. Gallagher and Lyle released five albums including the Gold-selling Breakaway in 1976 featuring the top 10 singles “I Wanna Stay With You” and “Heart On My Sleeve”. The album, which also charted in the U.S., included songs which went on to be Number One hits for Art Garfunkel and Don Williams. He has since worked with the reformed Mannfred Mann and performed solo (and with Graham Lyle) throughout a 50+ year career to date.

In the 1990’s Gallagher co-founded and served as Chairman of the royalties campaigning body PAMRA, which was set up to ensure that musicians received a fair share of royalties from recordings and performances thus protecting the rights and income of hundreds of thousands of UK musicians. Through PAMRA, he has represented UK musicians on a global stage, pushing for recognition and income streams for musicians internationally. Now in his 70’s, he continues to support education and welfare for musicians.

Allan Dumbreck delivered Benny Gallagher’s laureation speech, which reflected on his inspirational career.

It’s fantastic to receive this Honorary Doctorate. Educating musicians is something I’m extremely passionate about and it’s been amazing to see the Commercial Music course go from strength to strength over the past 20 years.
Dr Benny Gallagher

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Graduation is the pinnacle of the University calendar. It gives us the opportunity to both reflect on the amazing achievements of our students and to celebrate this most important of milestones with their friends and families, as well as the whole UWS community who have supported them throughout their time at university.

“We are delighted to present Benny Gallagher with this Honorary Doctorate. Through his work with key industry representatives, management companies and higher education, he has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the UK and wider global music industries. Coming from a small Ayrshire town, we know he is a genuine role model for aspiring Scottish music professionals, particularly those local to the Ayr campus where the BA (Hons) Commercial Music course is based.”