U2 Named MusiCares 2027 Persons of the Year

A Celebration of Music and Global Activism

The 36th annual MusiCares Persons of the Year benefit gala will celebrate the collective impact of U2, honoring all four members: Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. The event is set to take place two nights before the Grammy Awards, serving as a tribute to the band's five decades of musical influence and humanitarian work. Having formed in 1976 and evolved into a cornerstone of Rock music, the group is being recognized for using their global platform to advocate for social change.

The ceremony will feature a tribute concert where various artists, yet to be announced, will perform U2’s classic songs. Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, emphasized the band's unique position in the industry in an official statement:

"We are honored to celebrate and recognize U2 as this year’s MusiCares Persons of the Year. 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."

— Harvey Mason Jr.

Theresa Wolters, the executive director of MusiCares, also highlighted the band's ability to drive change, stating that the group has demonstrated "the extraordinary power of music to bring people together, draw attention to urgent needs and inspire action."

Fifty Years of Artistry and Philanthropy

The 2027 honor coincides with U2 celebrating 50 years as a band, a journey that began when the members met as teenagers at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin. Over their prolific career, they have sold more than 170 million albums worldwide and earned a total of 22 Grammy awards. Beyond their commercial and critical success, the band has consistently supported Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education program, which provides young people with access to music lessons and creative opportunities.

Individually, each member has spearheaded significant philanthropic initiatives:

• Bono, who was previously recognized as the 2003 MusiCares Person of the Year, co-founded the organizations ONE and (RED) to combat extreme poverty and AIDS by lobbying governments and businesses.

• The Edge co-founded Music Rising in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, an initiative dedicated to replacing instruments and equipment for musicians and schools affected by the disaster.

• Adam Clayton received the MusiCares Stevie Ray Vaughan Award in 2017 for his work supporting addiction recovery and mental health initiatives, such as Ireland’s Walk in My Shoes.

• Larry Mullen Jr. served as a producer on the documentary Left Behind, which chronicled the efforts of mothers to establish the first public school for dyslexic children in New York City.

The Band’s Response to the Honor

In a joint statement, the members of U2 expressed their gratitude for the recognition and their long-standing respect for the MusiCares organization. The band noted that their longevity is due to the wider network of professionals within the music industry.

"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. ‘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."

— U2

Recent Musical Activity

While preparing for this upcoming honor, U2 has remained active in the studio and on the charts. Throughout the current year, the band released two new EPs and recorded a cover of a song by the Pogues. Additionally, they recently premiered a new track from their forthcoming as-yet-untitled studio album, continuing their decades-long streak of new material.