MusiCares has named U2 — Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. — as its 2027 Persons of the Year. The 36th annual Persons of the Year benefit gala will be held at a new location, Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Friday, Feb. 5, 2027, two nights before the 2027 Grammys at Crypto.com Arena. Not only has their music defined generations, but they’ve been equally exemplary in their dedication to humanitarian work and using their platform for good.
We are so excited to come together to honor their collective artistry and commitment to giving back on this special night.” Celebrating 50 years together as a band after meeting in their Dublin high school in 1976, U2 has won 22 Grammy Awards and sold more than 170 million albums worldwide. Alongside their music, the four members have established and supported a wide range of philanthropic and humanitarian campaigns. In 2005, the band received Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award.
U2 provided early and ongoing philanthropic funding for Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education program, whose mission is to empower young people across the island of Ireland to realize their full potential through access to high-quality lessons in how to play, sing and create music. In addition to these joint efforts, Bono co-founded sister organizations ONE and (RED) to pressure governments and businesses to do more in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty, and he played a key role in persuading President Bush to create PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief), which has saved 26 million lives to date. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, The Edge co-founded Music Rising to replace instruments and equipment for musicians, schools and music programs affected by disaster.
Adam Clayton, who was honored with the MusiCares Stevie Ray Vaughan Award in 2017, has spoken openly about recovery and supported efforts focused on addiction and mental health, including Ireland’s Walk in My Shoes initiative. Larry Mullen Jr. has brought attention to dyslexia and learning differences through his involvement as a producer of the documentary “Left Behind.” “Throughout their career, U2 has demonstrated the extraordinary power of music to bring people together, draw attention to urgent needs and inspire action,” said Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares. What resonates so strongly with MusiCares is their belief that success in music comes with an opportunity to care for the people around you.
We are proud to recognize artists that have spent decades pairing extraordinary artistry with a genuine sense of service.” MusiCares previously honored Bono as the 2003 MusiCares Person of the Year for his impact through both music and activism. The 2027 recognition tells a broader story: one of four bandmates who, together and through causes personal to each of them, have spent decades putting the platform of U2 in service of others, the announcement states. We’ve been recording and touring for 50 years because of that pool, from producers and engineers to carpenters and riggers.
It’s such an honor, and we’re very excited to be in the front row of our first ever U2 gig…we know we’re gonna be outplayed,” said U2. The MusiCares Persons of the Year ceremony is one of the most anticipated events of Grammy Week. The evening features a cocktail reception, dinner and a tribute concert with performances by artists celebrating U2’s music and humanitarian work.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
