It’s getting around time to firm up the annual Person of the Year for MusiCares’ annual pre-Grammy fundraising dinner. Past recipients include Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Neil Diamond and, this past year, Carole King.
Sources tell me inquiries are out to the Rolling Stones. I’m not sure why or how the Stones have avoided this honor so far. It’s a big deal in the record business. The honoree gets to choose a group of performers who will come and sing their songs. Sometimes the honoree plays a mini concert as well. It’s the kick off event of Grammy weekend.
So far, I hear negotiations are proceeding but the Stones are balking. This may have to do with Mick Jagger’s recent loss (the L’Wren Scott story). But I don’t think so. Jagger’s been out and about promoting “Get on Up,” the movie he produced about James Brown. He and Keith and Charlie et al should really say yes and do the right thing here. No one’s getting any younger. And the Stones are the last of the big classic rock names to receive the honor. MusiCares raises funds for musicians who are indigent or in tough circumstances regarding medical bills and so on. The Stones would sell out the L.A. Convention Center in two seconds.
Who should perform at a Stones MusiCares dinner? Tina Turner, definitely. Aerosmith. Merry Clayton. Marianne Faithfull. Who else? You tell me.
