MusiCares To Honor Berry & Smokey
• MusiCares® has named two Motown icons – Motown Records Founder Berry Gordy and legendary recording artist and songwriter Smokey Robinson – as 2023 MusiCares® Persons of the Year.
“MusiCares is thrilled to be honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson at the 2023 Persons of the Year gala, which will be the first time we are honoring two legends together,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “With Mr. Gordy as the creator of the Motown Sound, and Mr. Robinson as his first writer and artist, their music, along with the many others who joined Motown, reached out across a racially divided country to transform popular music, creating a musical legacy like no other.”
The MusiCares Persons of the Year tribute ceremony is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY® Week. It includes a reception and silent auction, offering an exclusive selection of one-of-a-kind items for bidding guests, followed by a dinner and tribute concert, featuring renowned musicians and other artists paying tribute to Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. Proceeds from the event will provide essential support for MusiCares, the leading music charity providing music professionals health and human services across a spectrum of needs. The tribute will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Fri, Feb. 3, 2023, two nights before the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards®.
Gordy exclaimed, “Wow! How honored I am to be named the MusiCares Persons of the Year, and together with my best friend of over 65 years, the great Smokey Robinson. How special is that! I’m grateful to be included in MusiCares’ remarkable history of music icons. The work they do is so critical to the well-being of our music community, and I look forward to a most exciting evening.” Robinson said, “I have supported MusiCares for many years and know what great work they do for our creative community who need our help. Recently, when no one could tour, they were a lifeline to those in the touring industry for monetary help and mental health services. I’m honored that they have chosen me and my best friend and Motown founder Berry Gordy to share this beautiful honor and celebrate with you all together.”
Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson join a prestigious list of recent MusiCares honorees including 2022 honoree Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, and Aerosmith.
The event will again be produced by live event broadcast team of Lewis & Clark — Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark. Fellow Detroit native, Greg Phillinganes, will serve as Musical Director. Tables are available for purchase at personoftheyear.musicares.org. For more information, email personoftheyear@musicares.org. [Photo credit: Mario Escobar]
