Grateful Dead Named Persons Of The Year By MusiCares
Grateful Dead have been named as the 2025 Persons of the Year by MusiCares, with the band’s original members set to be celebrated at the organisation’s annual gala concert and dinner on 31 January, two days prior to the Grammys.
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As always, the fundraiser for this charitable arm of the Recording Academy will culminate in a series of all-star performances covering the honouree’s catalogue. The evening will take place in its usual location in a vast ballroom at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
It’s the first time that an artist who has died will be part of the tribute. Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995, will be celebrated throughout the evening, along with the four living Dead members from the original line-up — Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bobby Weir.
Hart, Kreutzmann, Lesh and Weir collectively issued a statement that said in part, “We are deeply honored to be recognized as MusiCares Persons of the Year. This honor is truly a testament to the legacy of the music, which has always been bigger than us — it’s about the connection between us, the crew, and all those who’ve been on this long strange trip. It’s not just about what we create, but about making sure the people behind it, behind us every night, the ones who quietly make it all happen, get the support they need to keep going, no matter what life throws at them. We’re grateful to stand with MusiCares and hope everyone continues to support this vital mission to ensure music thrives in perpetuity.”
MusiCares cited the group’s charitable efforts as one reason for their selection, noting how “Garcia’s involvement with the Rex Foundation, Hart’s work in music therapy and brain health, Weir’s advocacy for addressing climate change and combating poverty, Kreutzmann’s ocean conservation efforts, and Lesh’s Unbroken Chain Foundation underscore the band’s commitment to making a difference beyond the stage.”