Bill Bruford
Awards & Honours
3
Awards Won
3
Honours
3
Rankings
4
Covers
2
Records
Bill Bruford's accolades reflect his status as a pioneer of progressive rock drumming. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes in 2017, and into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1993. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Surrey and a PhD in Music from the same institution. His autobiography was widely praised. These honors recognize his lifelong commitment to musical innovation and his profound influence on drumming.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
Inducted as a member of Yes.
Honorary Doctorate of Music
For contributions to music.
PhD in Music
Doctoral thesis on performance practice.
Rankings & Lists
100 Greatest Drummers of All Time
The 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time
The 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time
Magazine Covers
Modern Drummer
July 1980
Bill Bruford: The Thinking Man's Drummer
Modern Drummer
November 1987
Bill Bruford: Earthworks and Beyond
Modern Drummer
February 2008
Bill Bruford: The Final Word
Prog Magazine
October 2016
Bill Bruford: The Autobiography
Records & Feats
First drummer to leave a mega-successful band at its peak to join an experimental group
In 1972, Bruford left Yes after Close to the Edge, at the height of their commercial success, to join King Crimson, a move that shocked the music world.
Earned a PhD in Music while maintaining a full-time music career
Bruford completed his PhD at the University of Surrey in 2016, studying performance practice, after decades as a professional musician.