The Grateful Dead named MusiCares 2025 Persons of the Year

The Grateful Dead are the 2025 MusiCares Person of the Year. Original members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bobby Weir, as well as the late bandleader Jerry Garcia, will be honored for their music and philanthropy with a tribute night at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, January 31, 2025 .two days before the Grammy Awards.

The surviving band members said in a statement, “It's simple: we all need music. It speaks to each of us, offering what we need to deal with what life presents—enhancing our joys, helping us spread them, and making our sorrows easier. We cannot imagine a world without it. As our friend Jerry used to say, 'You take some, you give some back,' an extremely effective way to share those benefits.”

The award, they added, is “a testament to the legacy of music, which has always been bigger than us – it's about the connection between us, the crew and all those who have been on this long strange journey. It's not just about what we create, but making sure that the people behind it, behind us every night, the ones who quietly make it all happen, have the support they need to carry on, whatever life throws”.

Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, said the band's legacy goes beyond music, having created a community of fans and partners who embody a spirit of connection and support that is deeply aligned with MusiCares' mission. The band's passion for the arts and philanthropy, along with their ongoing commitment to social causes, have made a lasting impact that goes beyond the stage. It is a privilege to celebrate their contribution to both music and humanity.”

As always, the festivities benefit what MusiCares describes as “its health and human services programs, which provide physical and mental health care, addiction recovery, preventive clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief to music professionals.” The 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year was Jon Bon Jovi.