Kasabian Co-Founder Serge Pizzorno Receives Honorary Music Doctorate in Leicester

Sergio ‘Serge’ Pizzorno, co-founder and key creative force behind the indie rock band Kasabian, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Leicester during a summer graduation at De Montfort Hall. Pizzorno, who has been with Kasabian since 1997, has played an instrumental role in their success, which includes seven UK number one albums and prominent performances such as headlining Glastonbury in 2014. In his graduation speech, he encouraged graduates to embrace challenges and change, highlighting that growth comes from stepping outside comfort zones and dedicating oneself fully to what they love. His deep roots in Leicester, where Kasabian members met at local schools, and his diverse musical contributions, including film scores and solo projects, were celebrated by university officials. The University of Leicester emphasized Pizzorno's impact on both the city’s cultural identity and the music world, placing him among notable artists like Blur, Muse, and The Prodigy. Pizzorno described receiving the degree in his hometown as a surreal and profound honor, reflecting on how much Leicester has shaped his life and career.