MusiCare’s Person of the Year celebration honored Lionel Richie in style. The Los Angeles Convention Center housed musical greats like Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Chris Stapleton, among popular stars like Pharell Williams, Rihanna, and John Legend.
Several honorary performances of Richie classics took place, including “Running With the Night” by Lenny Kravitz, a captivating rendition of “Lady” by Stapleton, and a thoroughly entertaining medley of hits, like “Brick House,” performed by The Roots, Pharell, and more. Stevie Wonder even got up for a stunning performance of “Three Times a Lady.”
Perhaps the most unexpected part of the evening was Dave Grohl’s tribute to Richie, which started with a story about how Grohl received an incredibly large basket of muffins from him after he broke his leg on last summer’s tour. He then went on to serenade the audience with the classic love song, “You Are The One.”
Dave Grohl, “You Are The One”
When it came time for Richie to accept his award, he humbly addressed the room, “Today I’m standing here celebrating all the songs they told me would ruin my career.” He continued, “But the most important part of this evening is that we’re not celebrating me. We’re celebrating your generosity. We are our brother’s keeper. If you have anything in this world to give, give it all because you take nothing with you.” The MusiCares Person of the Year gala broke record with raising an impressive $7 million.