Grammy Weekend started with a tie-rejected bang when the Grateful Dead were honored as a musicares Persons of the year on Friday evening in the center of Los Angeles.
The annual charity gala has always been a party, but it really came home because the event collected money for music that influences people through the devastating forest fires. The night included striking versions of Wynonna Judd, Noah Kahan and John Mayer.
The dress code was “colorful black tie” and many in the crowd was mandatory when Deadheads cradled with tie-rejected packing jackets and rainbow dresses in honor of the legendary rock band. Drummer Mickey Hart and guitarist Bob Weir were present to accept the honor. Although it has been a bleak mood in the city since 7 January, it was clear that people in the music community were ready to have a little fun.
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“Music has always been the greatest healer of humanity,” Hart said when he entered the stage at the end of the semi-and-half hour of show.
The bars around the Congress Center were full of colorful dancing bear guests greeted on arrival. Rainbow Grilled cheese was served on silver dishes for everyone who was too busy socializing and missed the sitting dinner. After all, the band is known for bringing people together and spreading joy. The crowd was ready to do that exactly.
Deadhead Andy Cohen, who organized the festivities of the evening, said he was excited “to honor a bond that was a full source of joy and positivity throughout my life, and many of you.”
“I have lost the count of how many dead shows I have seen,” he told those present. “It is difficult to remember things when you are high, literally and figuratively. And what makes me high, it always comes back to the music. … These are eternal memories that a feeling of community and humanity still Can be reached by music, and that is why we all agree that their music has kept a flaky world pure. “
Grammys Week looked different this year as the Show of Will Sunday-for the most pre-parties were canceled. Almost every hand in the room was raised on Friday evening when the 2,520 guests were asked if they were struck by the fires or knew someone who had done that.
“During the Grammy weekend we continue to increase consciousness and funds. We celebrate First Responders and support the renewal of this city,” said Harvey Mason Jr. of the Academy CEO in its opening comments. “So if we start with the 2025 Grammy weekend, there is no better honorary than the Grateful Dead. Their music has raised millions, and their philanthropy is legendary … We can’t wait to celebrate and hear your music until Life brought by some incredible, great artists. “
The Tribute concert went a bit after 8:30 pm when weir opened on the guitar, accompanied by an orchestra. The war and the treaty recorded the stage with Mick Fleetwood and Stewart Copeland, kicking things up with an energetic performance of “Samson and Delilah”. Despite some technical difficulties for my morning jacket and Maggie Rose, they came back well with a great performance of “One More Saturday Night”.
Norah Jones fascinated the crowd, including Star Woody Harrelson, when she sang “Ripple”. But it was Judd who got the first standing ovation from both heart and weir after she sang ‘Ramble on Rose’.
Wynonna Judd performs during the Musicares Person of the Year Gala. (Chris Pizzello/AP photo)
Prior to her performance, Judd Weir shouted and thanked him for the appearance for her when her mother, Naomi Judd, died in 2022.
“You are my favorite family. You showed up when my mother died and sang at her funeral,” she said. “I am just grateful to be somewhere, especially here tonight.”
The evening further rolled with striking performances by Noah Kahan and Béla Fleck (“Friend of the Devil”), Zak Brown and Marcus King (“Bertha”) and Vampire Weekend, who almost everyone had their seats when they sang “Scarlet beganias then They sang “Scarlet started. “
Cohen laughed the crowd when he has interviewed friend John Mayer, who has been interviewed the singer of Dead & Company since 2015, when he was asked what the “horniest” Grateful Dead -Song is.
“There are not many horny grateful dead songs unless you are horny to gamble or drink from an old bottle,” Mayer replied. “Now that you mention it, there is ‘looks as rain’ where Bob sings on street cats.”
Host Andy Cohen and John Mayer live the 2025 Musicares Persons of the year at honor of the Grateful Dead. (Lester Cohen/Getty images for the recording cademie)
The performances of the evening include the memorable of Dwight Yoakam, Maren Morris, Lukas Nelson and Sierra Ferrell, Billy Strings, Sammy Hagar, Bruce Hornby and the war against drugs. Mayer came on stage at the end of the night to perform ‘Terrapin Station’. Dead & Company closed the show with a trio songs “Althea”, “Sugar Magnolia” and “Touch of Gray.”
Harrelson presented Friends Weir and Hart their Musicares Award. Drummer Bill Kreutzmann could not be present; His son Justin, however, came into place. They were also accompanied at the event by the daughter of bandmate Jerry Garcia, Trixie, and the son of Phil Lesh, Grahame. Lesh died in October. Garcia died in 1995.
“The road is a rough existence, as it is clear from the simple fact that there are not so many of my old bandmates tonight to receive this recognition,” said Weir. “Lifespan was never a great concern of ours. Enlightening people and spreading joy through music was all we really had in mind.”