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16/07/2025
A founding member of one the most famous rock bands in the world, who also helped to rescue Bolton Wanderers from a financial crisis, received an honorary doctorate from the University of Greater Manchester.
Nick Mason, former drummer with Pink Floyd, received the honour of Doctor of Arts (Hon DArts) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to entertainment and local sport.
Nick is also part of Football Ventures (Whites) Limited, the consortium that saved Bolton Wanderers from potential liquidation in August 2019.
Members of the audience in the Albert Hall in Bolton Town Hall gasped when his name was announced during the ceremony on the second day of the University of Greater Manchester’s graduation ceremonies, which saw students from the nursing and midwifery programmes receiving their degrees.
After leaving school, Nick spent five years training to become an architect, but his career and life went in a wildly different direction when his studies were interrupted and he became a founding member and drummer of Pink Floyd.
Nick told students and their families: “Whatever you are doing, follow your dreams, but in between learn something else, because you can always be certain it will become useful somewhere.
“For me, I trained as an architect and ended up with a bad lot in a rock and roll band. But I’ve used almost everything I learned at college somewhere in the music business.
“So, as I say, learn Russian, learn to cook, or, you know, make cheese biscuits - whatever, there will always be something there for you!”
Before he left the microphone, he joked: “And if you need the recipe for the cheese biscuits, see me afterwards!”
Nick’s involvement with the world-famous band spanned several decades from 1965-1995. Their album, ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, was in the American hit parade continuously for 30 years, and ‘The Wall’ stayed at number one for 14 consecutive weeks in the USA.
He has been the only constant member since the band's formation in 1965, and the only member to appear on every Pink Floyd album. His band Saucerful of Secrets was formed in 2018 and is still playing today.
Before the ceremony, as he posed for photographs with Pink Floyd fans, he said: “It’s is gratifying and humbling that the music we created means so much to people. It just shows the extreme power of music.
“I was so surprised to receive this honour from the University today, but also thrilled - it is quite special.
“The whole Bolton experience has been special for me. I know little about football but it has been great to be involved and to see the club progress. I must say a big thank you to (Chairman of BWFC) Sharon Brittan.”
Financed by his musical career Nick has pursued another great passion – motorsport and he has published two books, One entitled ‘Passion For Speed’ co-written with motoring journalist Mark Hales, featuring 21 of Nick’s cars spanning the 20th Century and ‘Inside Out’, a personal history of Pink Floyd.
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