Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson has been named the 2005 MusiCares Person of the Year by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The singer-songwriter will be honored on February 11th at a dinner in Los Angeles.

Wilson, his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love and Al Jardine formed the Beach Boys in 1961, going on to have a string of Top Ten hits in the Sixties and to record 1966's Pet Sounds, widely recognized as their masterpiece. The formerly reclusive Wilson, now 62, has been active again in recent years, recording solo albums and touring. In September, Wilson finally completed Smile, his former band's long-shelved follow-up to Pet Sounds.

Wilson, who has never won a Grammy himself, is being honored for his accomplishments as a musician as well as his philanthropy, including his dedicated support of cancer research. Previous honorees include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Luciano Pavarotti, Natalie Cole, Billy Joel and Elton John. Established by NARAS in 1989, MusiCares assists people in the music industry with healthcare needs.

The MusiCares Foundation dinner will be paired with a memorabilia auction and tribute concert (the lineup will be announced in January) at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The 47th annual Grammy Awards will take place two days later, at the Staples Center. Grammy nominees will be announced in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.

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