MusiCares has named U2 — Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. — as the 2027 MusiCares Persons of the Year.
One of the most acclaimed bands in modern music, U2 will be honored for their groundbreaking body of work and decades of using their reach, resources and music to support people and the fight for justice around the world.
The 36th annual Persons of the Year benefit gala will be held at a new location, Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, on February 5, 2027, two nights before the 2027 Grammys at Crypto.com Arena.
“We are honored to celebrate and recognize U2 as this year’s MusiCares Persons of the Year,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. “Their impact goes far beyond the stage. 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, building a career that has spanned generations of recorded music and live performances. Alongside their music, the four members have established and supported a wide range of philanthropic and humanitarian campaigns.
From their earliest days as a young band, the members of U2 have been activists for peace, justice and human rights.
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).
MusiCares previously honored Bono as the 2003 MusiCares Person of the Year for his impact through both music and activism.
“We are huge fans of MusiCares and the lifelines they provide across the incredible pool of talent that is the music industry. We’ve been recording and touring for 50 years because of that pool, from producers and engineers to carpenters and riggers,” said U2.
They added, “‘Persons of the Year’ couldn’t be a better title as it’s the people we’ve been so fortunate to work with, and of course our indomitable audience, that have given us the opportunity to keep making music and keep rocking the boat on things we really care about. It’s such an honour, and we’re very excited to be in the front row of our first ever U2 gig…we know we’re gonna be outplayed.”
Source: RTT Music News
