Grateful Dead Named MusiCares’ 2025 Persons of the Year

The Grateful Dead have been named the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year, with the legendary jam band to be feted at a Grammy week gala in January.

Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and the late Jerry Garcia will all be honored at the all-star event at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Jan. 31. 

This marks only the third time a band (as opposed to a single artist) has received MusiCares’ annual award, following Fleetwood Mac in 2018 and Aerosmith in 2020. Garcia will also be the first person in MusiCares’ 33-year history to receive the honor posthumously.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized as MusiCares Persons of the Year,” Weir, Lesh, Hart, and Kreutzmann said in a joint statement. 

“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,” the band added. “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.”

MusiCares — which offers preventive, emergency, and recovery programs to musicians — noted the band’s philanthropic efforts over the years, from Kreutzmann’s ocean conservation efforts and Lesh’s Unbroken Chain Foundation to Hart’s work in music therapy and Weir’s climate change advocacy.

“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,” the band continued.

The band added, “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 60 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.”

MusiCares Executive Director Laura Segura said in a statement about the band, “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.”

Recent MusiCares honorees include Bon Jovi this year, Joni Mitchell, Smokey Robinson, and more.