Photo Credit: Bob Minkin
Since forming from the revolutionary crosswinds of the Bay Area’s counterculture in 1965, the Grateful Dead have accrued a legacy of acclaim and achievement beyond comparison. Today, to celebrate the band’s imminent 60th anniversary, MusiCares honors the legendary jam forebearers as the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year.
In a benefit gala that ranks among the most prestigious events of GRAMMY Week, original members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bobby Weir will be recognized for their musical and philanthropic achievements alike, while posthumous tributes to the late bandleader Jerry Garcia will create a reverent retelling of the band’s story and account of its abiding community influence. The 34th annual Persons of the Year ceremony will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Jan. 31, two days before the Grammy Awards, with proceeds to be directed to MusiCares’ vital and multifaceted health and human services programs.
“MusiCares is proud to honor the Grateful Dead at the 2025 Persons of the Year Gala,” noted Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares, on the charitable arm of The Recording Academy’s highest prize. “Their legacy transcends music, having built a community of fans and collaborators that embody the spirit of connection and support, something that is deeply aligned with MusiCares’ mission. The band’s passion for the arts and philanthropy, along with their enduring commitment to social causes, has made a lasting impact that goes beyond the stage. It is a privilege to celebrate their contributions to both music and humanity.”
In the release detailing MusiCares’ selection, the organization highlights not only the revolutionary blend of rock, folk, bluegrass, jazz, psych, blues and more that the band pioneered, but also the extensive philanthropic endeavors advanced by each member. Among the charitable ventures cited are Garcia’s work for the Rex Foundation, Hart’s advancements in music therapy, Weir’s climate justice advocacy, Kreutzmann’s conservation projects with Reef Relief and Lesh’s Unbroken Chain Foundation. These measures, and the thriving community that continues to follow the band, stand as a testament to the Dead’s mission to change hearts and minds through music.
“It’s simple: we all need music. It speaks to each of us, offering what we need to face what life presents—enhancing our joys, helping us spread them, and making our sorrows easier to bear. We can’t imagine a world without it,” band members Hart, Kreutzmann, Lesh and Weir offered in a shared statement. “As our ol’ pal, Jerry, used to say, ‘You get some, you give some back,’ a tremendously effective way to share those benefits.
“While we can’t prove that the Muse—the force behind what we do—is working to build a support system for the show, over sixty years in music has taught us that it takes a lot of dedicated people to bring everything to life. Each person behind the scenes has honed their skills to meet the many needs of the show. Without them, it wouldn’t be what the Muse intends, and each of them is essential, pouring their hearts and spirits into it.
“We also want to recognize the community of Dead Heads for their unwavering support over the years—we wouldn’t be here without you.
“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,” the artists said in closing. “We’re grateful to stand with MusiCares and hope everyone continues to support this vital mission to ensure music thrives in perpetuity.”
Tickets for the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year benefit gala are available now. In July, the Grateful Dead attained a similarly prestigious award when Kreutzmann, Lesh, Hart and Weir were named as recipients for Kennedy Center Honors; read more about that upcoming ceremony here.
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