Spinner.com, an AOL music website, ranked UNT No. 2 this fall in its international “College Rankings of Rock: Top 20 Universities Rated for Their Musical Alumni.” The list cites a few of UNT’s musically famous former students — The Eagles’ Don Henley, crooners Roy Orbison and Pat Boone, singer Norah Jones, rocker Meat Loaf, saxophonist Lou Marini of the Blues Brothers band, Sister Hazel drummer Mark Trojanowski (’93) and members of Brave Combo.
UNT faced some stiff competition. UCLA came in No. 5 with a musical alumni line-up including Jan Berry of Jan & Dean, Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek of the Doors, and film composer John Williams. Edging UNT out for the top spot was Thames Valley University in London, alma mater of The Kinks’ Ray Davies, The Rolling Stones’ Ron Wood, The Who’s Pete Townshend and Queen’s Freddy Mercury.