Lionel Richie Named 2016 Musicares Person Of The Year

Along with the award presentation and tribute concert, the MusiCares gala will also feature a reception, silent auction and dinner. Proceeds from the gala will support MusiCares, which helps musicians in need of financial, medical or personal assistance. Ticket information and a reservation form is available on the MusiCares website.

Richie's music career began on the campus of the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) where he both earned a bachelor's degree in economics and helped form the seminal funk outfit, the Commodores. After notching numerous hits with the group during the late Sixties and Seventies, Richie embarked on an equally fruitful solo career in the Eighties. Richie has continued to record and tour, appearing on various festival bills in recent years and scoring yet another Number One album in 2012 with his 10th LP, Tuskegee.

As for his charitable efforts, Richie has been a longtime contributor to the United Negro College Fund and worked extensively on behalf of the Breast Cancer Research Center (his grandmother successfully battled the disease and lived to be 103). His music and philanthropic efforts notably coalesced in 1985 when he and Michael Jackson co-wrote "We Are the World."

Last year's MusiCares recipient was Bob Dylan. Other recent honorees include Bruce Springsteen, Carole King, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and Neil Young.