Guitar great Steve Vai is to be handed an honorary Doctor of Music degree from America's Musicians Institute.
The rocker will claim the honour during the institute's summer graduation ceremony, which will be held in Los Angeles next week (18Sep09).
Music Institute Vice-President Beth Marlis says, "Steve Vai has not only inspired countless musicians around the world and played a major role in the evolution of modern rock guitar, he also embodies MI's ideal of the artist-educator, who combines relentless pursuit of his creative vision with a sense of responsibility for mentoring the next generation."