VIDEO: Stars Shine For Neil Young At MusiCares Gala
Jan. 30 2010, Published 3:33 p.m. ET
Neil Young was celebrated with 20 of his best known hits sung by a star-studded line-up, including Elton John, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Sheryl Crow and Dave Matthews, as he was honored by the US Recording Academy in Los Angeles last night.
The 64-year-old was named the MusiCares Person of the Year for his "influential artistic accomplishments and philanthropic work".
The guest list included a who's who of musicians and actors. Tony Bennett, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine (who had an impromptu reunion in front of reporters), John C. Reilly and Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban all walked the velvet rope.
However, one of the best performance’s on the carpet was Jason Mraz’s impromptu performance of ‘I'm Yours’, for RadarOnline.com.
The Grammy nominee is a big fan of Young and MusiCares, revealing he once received assistance from the foundation.
"MusiCares is my insurance company,” he said.
“If anything should happen to me down the road I know I could come to MusiCares. If anything should ever happen to one of my band members, whether it's a family tragedy or a medical issue, I know that MusiCares has our back.
“I've had experiences the past where MusiCares has come to my rescue."
Josh Groban was also on hand to toast Young. He told RadarOnline.com that he was once the lucky recipient of a pep talk from the rock legend.
Robin Antin Of The Pussycat Dolls Works It
"I've been a fan of his for my whole life,” said Josh Groban, who revealed he once received a pep talk from the rock legend.
“I was so nervous backstage because I was the token not-rock-guy on the show. I kind of said to him that I was nervous about this and he pulled me into my dressing room and said let's rehearse a song.
“It was just me on piano and him on guitar and I was like, ‘Just take a photograph!
‘He patted me on the back and said everybody knows you sing your ass off, just go out there and relax and have a good time and sing stuff you like."
Young’s former band mate Graham Nash also recalled memories, a bizarre tale about superhuman powers. Watch the video and find out what it was!