The Los Angeles Convention Center was a nexus for music history on Friday night — as the stars of Motown and some of today's most notable acts assembled for heartfelt tributes and show-stopping performances.
The beneficiaries of this wellspring of talent and love were Motown legends Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, the 2023 MusiCares Persons Of The Year.
With stars ranging from Stevie Wonder and the Temptations to Brandi Carlile (who delivered an ovation-yielding performance of "The Tracks of My Tears") the night both spolighted the MusiCares mission and honored Gordy and Robinson's culture-shifting achievements
Here are 10 of the night's most memorable moments.
Stevie Wonder Wowed The Crowd
One of the night's most memorable performances came courtesy of the one and only Stevie Wonder.
The Motown legend, who first shot to fame as Little Stevie Wonder before embarking on one of the mighties solo careers in music history, delivered a reggae-infused "Tears of a Clown" as well as a downbeat, heartfelt "Try Something New."
"You must understand something," Wonder told the hushed crowd upon taking the stage. "It's more than a pleasure to be here, because if it were not for the people we're honoring tonight, I would not be here," said Wonder.
"I could never repay you," he added, "just thank you for the rest of my life."
With that, Wonder repeated: "Thank you, I love you, thank you, I love you!" — and added, "I should write a song of that!"
Gordy and Robinson's Decades-Long Friendship Rang Out
Gordy and Robinson met at the inception of Motown in the early 1950s. Today, Gordy is 91 and Robinson is 82; the duo are still as tight as can be.
Before performing a touching rendition of "Did You Know," a song he wrote for Gordy, Robinson delivered an emotional speech calling Gordy his best friend.
"The day (we met), the seed was planted for the best friendship in history," he said, calling their bond one of the proudest things in his life. "I love you, man."
A New Generation Paid Their Respects
A common refrain from a younger generation of artists onstage was the degree of impact Gordy, Robinson and the sound of Motown had on their lives.
"It is more than a pleasure to be here, because were it not for the two people that are here that we're recognizing, I wouldn't be here," Chloe x Halle said. The R&B duo then performed a pitch-perfect rendition of the Supremes classic "Baby Love," sounding just like the '60s girl group.
For his part, John Legend performed a touching rendition of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There."
"I grew up in a house that appreciated Motown, loved Motown, and I wouldn't know music without Motown," he said. "It'll probably be said many times tonight, but Motown was the soundtrack to our lives and it's due to the vision and the creativity of Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson."
Family Bonds Were In The Air
The MusiCares event doubled as a reunion of sorts for the legends of Motown and their families, as well as the stars of the '60s and '70s.
Together, they not only celebrated Gordy and Robinson, but deeply reflected on what the duo built.
One guest was Lalah Hathaway, the daughter of soul legend Donny Hathaway. As she put it onstage, it was a deeply-felt connection.
"Motown's musical impact and its personal impact are the same for me," she told GRAMMY.com, calling Robinson and Gordy two mentors. "I grew up with that music. It's foundational for the culture of America and the world at large. Watching that model of Smokey and Berry being musicians and also entrepreneurs has been fascinating to me."
The singer later took the stage for a touching cover of the Motown classic "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing": "I wanted it to feel like a love letter to them," she said.
One can't help but hit the dance floor when Motown music blasted through a speaker system — and the MusiCares gala was no different, as attendees regularly rose to their feet and shimmied in the aisles.
When it comes to the professional dancers on stage, the night proved the Temptations and Four Tops' signature choreography remains a hallmark of their exhilarating live performances.
Mumford and Sons Honored The Late Barrett Strong
It was only days before the Persons Of The Year gala when Barrett Strong passed at the age of 81, on January 28.
The late Motown great co-wrote some of the label's most memorable songs, from Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" to Edwin Starr's triumphant "War."
Strong's presence was felt when Mumford and Sons took the stage to cover his biggest success as an artist: "Money (That's What I Want)."
Co-written by Gordy and later covered by the Beatles, the song blends blues riffs with the earworm hooks and danceability the Motown sound is known for.
At the gala, Mumford and Sons delivered a stripped-down, subtly melancholic version of the track, making it all their own.
Sheryl Crow Paid Tribute To Michael Jackson
When considering who's most suited to cover Jackson 5's inimitable hit "I Want You Back," Sheryl Crow may not be the first artist you think of.
After all, it prominently features a young Michael Jackson, whose falsetto takes center stage; Crow's vocal range isn't typically Jacksonian.
Surprise! The nine-time GRAMMY winner sounded uncannily like Jackson; almost perfectly mimicking the late star's instantly recognizable voice, right down to the late star's extemporaneous-sounding "oohs" and "aahs."
It all served as a rousing reminder of not only Gordy's knack for songwriting and hooks, but Crow's versatility as an artist and interpreter.
Lionel Richie Honored His Mentors
Before the four-time GRAMMY-winning singer took the stage to perform his song "Easy," he emphasized Robinson and Gordy's decades-long impact on his career and life.
"How in the world did I get to be in the Motown family? How in the world did I get a chance to have a catalog and be sitting here in front of my amazing mentors?," Richie said in amazement.
"I am going to say this to you honestly," he continued. "I don't know whether I'm more excited to be part of the Motown family or have Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson as my dear friends."
Motown Transcended Borders
Before the show, the rising Nigerian star Pheelz told GRAMMY.com before the show that Motown's reach stretches far beyond America.
"Going back to where I'm from, growing up with African culture and music, its drums and everything was very inspired by the Motown sound," he said. "I'd listen to those songs and learn the chords."
The Gala Met A Returning World
After a 2021 break and a 2022 postponement and move to Las Vegas due to pandemic concerns, this year's Persons Of The Year gala marked a grand return to Los Angeles — and a sense of normalcy.
"It's a better-than-normal return to events," Harvey Mason Jr, CEO of the Recording Academy, told GRAMMY.com. "It's bigger than eve, and it's more exciting."
According to Mason, the year of planning that goes into GRAMMY weekend is like Thanksgiving. "You cook for a long, long time and then when you sit down and eat you enjoy the heck out of it, and that's what we're doing now. We're loving what's happening, the energy, the people, the music."
Added the CEO: "I'm having a ball."