Tom Petty To Be Named MusiCares Person of the Year

By Aaron Brophy 11/10/16 | www.samaritanmag.com

Tom Petty — photo via Warner Music Canada
Tom Petty is going to be honoured as the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year in a star-studded benefit concert featuring the likes of Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks and Norah Jones, being held Feb. 10, 2017 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The ceremony is one of the most prestigious events held during Grammy Week, which culminates in the 59th annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 12. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Petty is being honoured for his "extraordinary creative accomplishments and significant charitable work," according to a MusiCares release. Proceeds from the event will go towards the MusiCares' emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs, which are dedicated to supporting people in the music industry in personal, health or financial need. The MusiCares Foundation was established in 1989 by The Recording Academy — "an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers" — which is international known for the Grammy Awards.

Petty, the titular head of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, has supported numerous worthwhile endeavors in his 40 year music career. Some of these include the Fender Music Foundation, which provides grants for music education, Midnight Mission, a help program to assist the homeless and/or those with addictions, Rock the Earth, an environmental advocacy organization, Safety Harbor Kids, which helps orphan, foster and homeless children with their education needs, the Special Olympics, as well as the Grammy Foundation and MusiCares.

Besides the Foo Fighters, Jones and Nicks, some of the other acts confirmed perform include Don Henley, Kings Of Leon, Randy Newman, Lucinda Williams, Clark Jr., Jeff Lynne, George Strait, Jackson Browne, Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen, Elle King, Regina Spektor and The Bangles with more names to be announced.

Past MusiCares Person of the Year honorees include: Tony Bennett, Bono, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Carole King, Paul McCartney, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt, Lionel Richie, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and Neil Young.

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* Samaritanmag.com is an online magazine covering the good deeds of individuals, charities and businesses.