The Grateful Dead will be recognized as the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year during the 34th Persons of the Year gala on Friday, January 31st. Original members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bobby Weir will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic rock band at the gala, and founding member Jerry Garcia, who passed away in 1995, will be feted with posthumous tributes.
“MusiCares is proud to honor the Grateful Dead at the 2025 Persons of the Year Gala,” stated Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “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.”
The annual Person of the Year gala raises funds to support health and human services programs that help music professionals. Recent honorees include Jon Bon Jovi, Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, and Joni Mitchell.
Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bobby Weir issued a statement about being named the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year honorees:
“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. 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. We’re grateful to stand with MusiCares and hope everyone continues to support this vital mission to ensure music thrives in perpetuity.”
This post was last modified on February 4, 2026 10:42 pm