Bruce Springsteen to Be MusiCares Person of the Year

The Recording Academy and the MusiCares Foundation have announced that Bruce Springsteen has been selected to be the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year. He is being honored for his "extraordinary creative accomplishments as well as his significant charitable work, which has included an impressive range of philanthropic activities over the years."

Springsteen will receive his award at a major gala on Friday, February 8, two days before the Grammy Awards. Traditionally, the evening includes a dinner, silent auction and concert featuring a wide array of artists performing the songs of that year's honoree.

"Bruce Springsteen is a truly gifted and Renaissance artist of our time, a national treasure, and an exemplary humanitarian," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the MusiCares Foundation and The Recording Academy. "His career is a testament to the power of creative excellence, and his contributions as a philanthropist speak to the tenacity of the human spirit. We are privileged and honored to pay tribute to Bruce this year as our MusiCares Person of the Year."

"Bruce is synonymous with artistic independence and a passion for causes that are close to his heart," said Scott Pascucci, Chair of the MusiCares Foundation Board. "His career seamlessly combines inspiration and charity, and it's a reminder that we can all do our part to make the world a better place."

The MusiCares Foundation offers programs and services to members of the music community including emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses such as rent, utilities and car payments; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; psychotherapy; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hepatitis C, and other critical illnesses.

Previous winners include last years recipient, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Neil Young, Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin and Don Henley.