Paul McCartney honored as MusiCares Person of the Year

PanARMENIAN.Net - Stars gathered in launching Grammy weekend Friday, Feb 10 night by honoring Paul McCartney as the MusiCares Person of the Year in his more than 50-year career, according to The Associated Press.

McCartney, who turns 70 in June, was toasted for his musical achievements and philanthropic work two days before the Grammy Awards. "It's great for me to be here," he told the crowd in the Los Angeles Convention Center. "It's fantastic to hear all these fantastic artists doing my songs."

Among the star-studded crowd of 2,800 were Yoko Ono, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, David Crosby, Rosanna Arquette, Bonnie Raitt, Berry Gordy, Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson, music executive LA Reid, songwriter Diane Warren, Piers Morgan, and actor John Stamos.

Friday's dinner and auction produced the highest-grossing evening in the tribute's 22-year history, with more than $6.5 million raised, said Recording Academy president Neil Portnow.

MusiCares, run by the Recording Academy, provides financial assistance to individuals in the music industry during times of need. Portnow said the charity served 2,700 people in 2011, the most in a single year.