“The Grateful Dead are a lot of things. I would venture to say they are the great American band,” Andy Cohen declared at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala on Friday night at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The sentiment was widely shared by the 2,000 Deadheads in attendance, whether lifelong fans or newcomers, as they danced and sang along in celebration of the band’s 60th anniversary.
Although questions arose about whether the event should proceed in light of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County—which have left nearly 30 dead and destroyed more than 22,000 homes—Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. addressed the tragedy at the outset of the evening.
Mason highlighted MusiCares’ efforts in response to the disaster, noting that the Academy’s philanthropic arm has provided financial aid and other services to the music community. “We launched a relief effort, raising and distributing almost $4.5 million in grants to more than 2,000 affected music professionals,” he said. “Throughout Grammy weekend, we will continue to raise awareness and funds, celebrate first responders and support this city. So, as we begin the 2025 Grammy weekend, there is no better honoree than the Grateful Dead.”
During the evening, MusiCares Executive Director Laura Segura announced that a paddle auction had raised more than $5.2 million, with Bob Weir donating $100,000 and comedian Bert Kreischer contributing $25,000.
Weir and drummer Mickey Hart represented the Grateful Dead at the event, along with Jerry Garcia’s daughter, Trixie, and Phil Lesh’s son, Grahame. (Drummer Bill Kreutzmann joined via video.) Hart and Weir sat together at a front table as 16 performances paid tribute to the band. Hart swayed along with a broad smile, while Weir maintained a more reserved, appreciative demeanor.
MusiCares has previously honored artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Gloria Estefan, Bonnie Raitt, and last year’s Person of the Year, Jon Bon Jovi. The evening traditionally features unique renditions of the honoree’s songs, and this year was no exception. Led by Don Was, the house band included members of Goose, Dead & Company, and Grahame Lesh, blending the Dead’s signature sound with new interpretations.
Among the night’s standout performances were those by co-ed duos, adding a refreshing dynamic to the band’s classics. The War and Treaty, joined by Mick Fleetwood and Stewart Copeland, opened with a spirited “Samson and Delilah.” My Morning Jacket and a pregnant Maggie Rose delivered a funk-infused “One More Saturday Night,” while Lukas Nelson and Sierra Ferrell offered an ethereal take on “It Must Have Been the Roses.”
Artists with ties to the Grateful Dead also contributed highlights. Bruce Hornsby, who played keyboards for the band from 1990-1992, delivered an intimate “Standing on the Moon,” while John Mayer soared on “Terrapin Station.”
Actor and longtime fan Woody Harrelson presented Hart and Weir with their award, recalling humorous stories of his time with the band, including “smoking a fatty with Jerry in a bathroom at the vice-presidential mansion and getting the boot from an angry Al Gore.”
Hart reflected on the band’s legacy and sense of community. “Music is more than just sound. It’s a force, a healer. But music doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It needs a community to play to, and a community needs its music,” he said. “Deadheads have kept the dream alive for 60 years. Without them, there would be no Grateful Dead.”
Weir tied the evening’s themes to the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. “In all of this, I learned early on that you get a lot more done a lot faster if you can make a team effort of your tasks. What we have here in SoCal is a rebuild that’s going to take time, effort, and immense teamwork. My guess is it’s going to take a few years, but SoCal will be back, stronger and shinier.”
To close the night, Dead & Company took the stage for a medley of “Althea,” “Sugar Magnolia,” and their only Top 40 hit, “Touch of Grey,” with Weir on lead vocals for the latter two. The performance ended on a hopeful note, as the refrain of “We will get by / We will survive” resonated as a message of resilience in the face of adversity.
Grateful Dead MusiCares Setlist
- “Samson and Delilah” — The War and Treaty with Mick Fleetwood and Stewart Copeland
- “One More Saturday Night” — My Morning Jacket with Maggie Rose
- “Ripple” — Norah Jones
- “Bertha” — Zac Brown and Marcus King
- “Ramble on Rose” — Wynonna Judd
- “Friend of the Devil” — Noah Kahan with Bela Fleck
- “Scarlet Begonias” — Vampire Weekend
- “Truckin"” — Dwight Yoakam
- “They Love Each Other” — Maren Morris
- “It Must Have Been the Roses” — Lukas Nelson and Sierra Ferrell
- “Wharf Rat” — Billy Strings
- “Loose Lucy” — Sammy Hagar
- “Standing on the Moon” — Bruce Hornsby with Rick Mitarotonda
- “Box of Rain” — The War on Drugs
- “Terrapin Station” — John Mayer
- “Althea/Sugar Magnolia/Touch of Grey” — Dead & Company
