SANTA MONICA—Tom Petty, lead singer of the group, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will be honored as the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year during Grammy Week next year. He received the honor from the Santa Monica-based Recording Academy for his charitable work with the homeless population in Los Angeles.
According to Radio.com, Petty will be the 27th recipient to receive the honor. He will be recognized at the benefit gala on February 10, 2017. Past recipients of the award include Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and last year’s recipient, Lionel Richie.
“A three-time Grammy winner, Petty is being honored as the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of his significant creative accomplishments, his career-long interest in defending artists’ rights, and the charitable work he has undertaken throughout his career, which has notably focused on the homeless population in Los Angeles,” said Neil Portnow, President and CEO of the MusiCares Foundation and Recording Academy, and Alexandra Patsavas, Chair of the MusiCares Foundation Board in a statement.
“Widely recognized by a younger generation of musicians as an example of what an engaged artist can accomplish in his field and beyond, Petty has come to represent the lasting possibilities of rock and roll.”
The Recording Academy formed the MusiCares Foundation in 1989. They offer programs and services to members of the music community who have or are experiencing personal, financial or medical need.
Petty is also a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee. Petty released a the following statement on Wednesday, September 28, which read: “I am so very pleased to be honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year. I have so much respect for this organization, which really does care about the people in our industry.”I myself know many people who MusiCares has aided in desperate situations. Again, let me say this is a true honor.”
The gala will include a reception, a silent auction, a banquet and a concert. The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will follow two days later at the Staples Center and will air at 8 p.m. on CBS.
Ticket prices for this event start at $1,750 and is also a charitable fundraiser. Tickets are non-transferable and can purchased by phone:(310) 392-3777.
