Bruce Springsteen Named 2013 MusiCares’ Person of the Year

Bruce Springsteen will receive the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year award at a ceremony to be held February 8th in Los Angeles, two days before the Grammys.

Springsteen is being honored for both his creative accomplishments and charitable work over the years, in particular to help end homelessness and hunger.

“Bruce Springsteen is a truly gifted and Renaissance artist of our time, a national treasure, and an exemplary humanitarian,” MusiCares and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow said in a statement. “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.”

Indeed Springsteen, who released his latest record Wrecking Ball in March, has helped raise thousands for philanthropic causes over the course of his career. Over the past few years, he has played surprise gigs to help to raise money for causes like Parkinsons Disease research and helped out veterans organizations.

Scott Pascuci, the Chair of the MusiCares Foundation Board, added in the statement: “Bruce is synonymous with artistic independence and a passion for causes that are close to his heart … 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.”

This year’s recipient of the MusiCares Person of the Year was Paul McCartney, who rocked the ceremony alongside Joe Walsh and Dave Grohl; last year, everyone from Prince to Beck gathered to honor 2011 recipient Barbra Streisand.

MusiCares, which was established in 1989 by the Recording Academy, offers programs and services to help those in need of financial assistance to help pay for basic utilities as well as medical expenses; the group also offers a variety of educational workshops from financial and legal help to substance abuse issues.