MusiCares person of the year: Aretha Franklin
Soul legend Aretha Franklin has been chosen as the 2008 MusiCares person of the year and will be honored at a Feb. 8 event in Los Angeles, two nights before the Grammy Awards.
Franklin, who has won 17 Grammy Awards, will also perform at the gala. MusiCares, the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, is honoring Franklin for her philanthropic efforts in Detroit, where she has worked with children's and healthcare organizations and various churches and food banks.
A host of artists will be on hand to perform, including Patti Austin, John Legend, Faith Hill, Anthony Hamilton, Herbie Hancock, Fantasia, Ledisi and the Blues Brothers.
Not on the guest list for the event, which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center? You can still buy stuff.
A live auction is planned on AuctionNetwork.com, and will allow for online and telephone bidding.
Among the items up for auction, according to a press release:
-- A pink Cadillac CTS sedan inspired by Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love"
-- A private painting lesson with Tony Bennett and renowned portrait painter Everett Raymond Kinstler
-- The guitar Elvis Presley used in his last show at the Las Vegas Hilton
-- A Bill Clinton-signed saxophone
-- "Stairway To Heaven" sheet music signed by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones
Proceeds will benefit MusiCares, which provides assistance for members of the music community in need.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
