Pauline Black
Pro-Chancellor, distinguished friends, colleagues, graduands and guests.
A legendary performer, singer, artist, band leader and songwriter, Pauline Black has dedicated four decades to the music scene. Supporting and campaigning for racial equality throughout her work, she describes herself as first and foremost, a singer.
45 years after first arriving in Coventry to study science at Lanchester Polytechnic, it is a great honour to welcome Pauline back to the city to award her an honorary Doctorate of the Arts.
A lifelong love of music inspired by punk and reggae artists from the 1970s led Pauline to join The Selecter and a career that has seen her travel across the world to share her passion and artistry with hundreds of thousands of fans.
As one of the founding groups within the 2 tone scene, The Selecter helped to cement Coventry as a city filled with musical talent and individuals who were not afraid to tackle issues in society and stand up for what they believe in.
Born and raised in Essex, Pauline moved to Coventry to study a combined science degree at Lanchester University in 1971. In 1973 she moved to the Coventry School of Radiography, studying from 1973-76, graduating with a Diploma of The Society of Radiographers.
Starting her career as a part-time radiologist at Walsgrave Hospital, Pauline nutured her love of music by singing in pubs and bars across Coventry. One evening in 1979 she left a gig as the lead singer of The Selecter which went on to become a platinum-selling band and one of the most influential within the 2 tone music scene, alongside others including The Specials and Madness. After releasing their first album, Too Much Pressure, in 1980, the band has gone on to release a collection of top 40 singles in the UK, and continue to write new music and inspire new audiences. Releasing their most recent album in 2015, the band continues to perform in the UK and beyond, having recently returned from the US.
In 1982 a new direction took Pauline to work as an actress and presenter, performing on stage and on screen. Her talent secured her a Time Out award for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the play All or Nothing at All in 1990. Listeners of Radio Five Live also heard Pauline as presenter of two-hour show Black to the Future.
A performer first and foremost, Pauline and The Selecter returned to music-making in 2010 and have toured the world since. Once again the band is billed alongside artists such as Coldplay and Jools Holland, and will continue to raise issues of racial tension through their music. Next year the band will release its third album since reforming this millennium.
Along with raising questions and challenging ideals through her music and performance, tackling difficult topics and sharing her experiences with others led to the release of her autobiography in 2011. Black by Design, a 2 Tone Memoir, also described Pauline’s thoughts as a black child adopted by a white family, and how this shaped the woman she is today. Using her own experiences to challenge racial issues, Pauline continues to spread messages of racial equality. Speaking with fans during tours ensures that the music and messages featured in the Selecter’s catalogue is up-to-date. Although today’s youngsters are still discussing the same issues that sparked the 2 tone movement more than three decades ago.
For her outstanding contribution to the musical heritage of Coventry for more than 35 years, Pauline and the Selecter have been recognised by peers and inducted in the town’s Music Hall of Fame. Her commitment to the city, which has become her home, is also cemented in her support of the Coventry 2020 City of Culture bid.
In recognition of her outstanding and significant contribution to music heritage in Coventry, Coventry University, by decision of the Academic Board, has the privilege of conferring the Degree of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa, on Pauline Black.