English jazz pianist George Shearing is now a Sir after accepting a knighthood from British monarch Queen Elizabeth II. The veteran musician, who has been blind all his life, brought his wife Lady Eleanor to the ceremony at the Queen's London residence Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

Shearing, 87, enthused, "I enjoyed it very much and I am very excited about it."

The London-born musician moved to the United States in 1947 and performed in the country for many years before settling in New York City in the late 1970s.

During his lengthy career, he played for U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan and was even mentioned in Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel On The Road.

His biggest hit was the late 1960's song September In The Rain.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)