DStv Channel 403 Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Pre-Grammys gala honouring the Grateful Dead focuses on fire relief

LOS ANGELES- Music world A-listers took the stage to honour the Grateful Dead at an annual pre-Grammys benefit gala, which this year raised millions for musicians impacted by the recent wildfires that devastated Los Angeles.

The 34th annual MusiCares Person of the Year gala -- which benefits the charitable wing of the Recording Academy, behind the Grammys -- honoured the psychedelic jam band as it raised more than $5-million in one evening.

The sum brings its total funds raised since the fires broke out in early January to more than $9-million, organisers said.

Donors included Dead member Bob Weir, who raised his paddle during an auction-style donation round before settling in to hear a wide range of tributes to the vast influence of his band.

The Grateful Dead members, including icon Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, were key figures in the counterculture that began in the 1960s.

Sammy Hagar performs during the 2025 MusiCares Person honoring the Grateful Dead
AFP | Valerie MACON

The band that was beloved for never performing the same show twice revolutionised fan engagement, as followers recorded and swapped bootleg tapes of the concerts in a communal, drug-addled camp environment.

The evening featured a number of cuts from the band's extensive catalogue, including Norah Jones with a twangy, slowed-down rendition of the classic "Ripple," and Vampire Weekend with "Scarlet Begonias." Sammy Hagar of Montrose and Van Halen meanwhile brought the crowd to its feet for "Loose Lucy."

John Mayer -- who for years has been playing with the band Dead & Company, which includes former Dead members Weir, Hart and Kreutzmann -- had the audience rapt with an impressive version of "Terrapin Station."

And he took the stage again as the honourees joined him to perform a trio of all-timers to close the night: "Althea," "Sugar Magnolia" and "Touch of Grey."

"Longevity was never a major concern of ours; lighting folks up and spreading joy through the music was all we really had in mind, and we got plenty of that done," said Weir in accepting the honour.

He also emphasised the night's mission in quoting his bandmate Garcia: "All along, my old pal Jerry used to say, 'You get some, you give some back.'"

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