Paul McCartney honoured at MusiCares Person Of The Year gala

Sir Paul McCartney has been honoured at the 2012 MusiCares Person Of The Year gala in Los Angeles.

The star performed ‘My Valentine’ and ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter’, both from his recent jazz album Kisses On The Bottom at the event, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.

The MusiCares event honours a legendary performer for their creative accomplishments and charitable work, and is held two nights prior to the annual Grammy Awards. Previous recipients have included Tony Bennett, Bono, Natalie Cole, Phil Collins, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Don Henley, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.

The event was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and raised $6.5 million. MusiCares helps people in music in a range of fields, including emergency financial assistance and help with addiction and substance abuse.

McCartney was honoured for both his musical achievements and his philanthropic and charitable work. The event was hosted by actor and comedian Eddie Izzard, and guests included Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison, Smokey Robinson, Brian Wilson, Glen Campbell, Jeff Lynne, David Crosby, Carole King, Tom Hanks, Bonnie Raitt, Don Was, Steven Van Zandt, Randy Jackson, Jason Mraz, and LA Reid.

The 2012 event begam with a display from Cirque du Soleil’s Love cast.

McCartney and his band then took to the stage, performing versions of ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ and ‘Junior’s Farm’, followed by a range of tribute performances from guests including Foo Fighters, Neil Young, Alicia Keys, Tony Bennett and Duane Eddy, who played an instrumental version of The Beatles’ ‘And I Love Her’ with backing from McCartney’s band.

I’m honoured and it’s good fun. He doesn’t write any terrible songs, and they picked a nice one for me. I’m happy to play with his band, one of the best in the world.

Concert setlist

• ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ – Paul McCartney
• ‘Junior’s Farm’ – Paul McCartney
• ‘Jet’ – Foo Fighters
• ‘Blackbird’ – Alicia Keys
• ‘No More Lonely Nights’ – Alison Krauss and Union Station
• ‘Here, There And Everywhere’ – Tony Bennett
• ‘And I Love Her’ – Duane Eddy
• ‘Oh! Darling’ – Norah Jones
• ‘Hey Jude’‘Hey Jude’ – Katy Perry
• ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ – Neil Young and Crazy Horse
• ‘The Fool On The Hill’ – Sergio Mendes
• ‘We Can Work It Out’ – Coldplay
• ‘Yesterday’ – James Taylor with Diana Krall and John Clayton
• ‘For No One’ – Diana Krall with James Taylor and John Clayton
• ‘My Valentine’ – Paul McCartney
• ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter’ – Paul McCartney
• ‘Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five’ – Paul McCartney
• ‘Golden Slumbers’/‘Carry That Weight’/‘The End’ – Paul McCartney