FLEETWOOD MAC "DON'T STOP" THE MAGIC AT MUSICARES

Fleetwood Mac, the first full band to be a MusiCares Person of the Year honoree, were presented with their laurels by President Bill Clinton, saluted in speeches and tributes by fellow artists and at last took the stage at the charity’s annual Grammy function Friday night at Radio City Music Hall.

The evening underscores how much the band has influenced subsequent acts, as participants like Album of the Year nominee Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Imagine Dragons, Little Big Town, Harry Styles (who performed the band’s material during his recent tour), Keith Urban, Alison Krauss and HAIM dug into Mac classics with obvious devotion.

The band acknowledged the internal dysfunction that swirled around its career but credited the “chemistry” that made them legends. They then favored the exuberant crowd of biz heavyweights and other well-wishers with a set packed with hits including “Don’t Stop,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “The Chain,” “Tusk” and “Little Lies.”

Stevie Nicks offered a moving tribute to last year’s honoree, Tom Petty, noting that his death had left her brokenhearted.

Clinton told the story of how the band’s “Don’t Stop” not only became the anthem of his 1992 campaign but helped influence his decision to run. The song’s performance in Fleetwood Mac’s set reflected the optimism of an earlier political wave, and clearly lifted up the crowd despite the bittersweet circumstances of the time.

An auction featuring some fine Mac memoribilia raised funds for MusiCares, which provides medical, financial and other assistance to musicians in need.

Did you miss our coverage of #MusiCares Person of the Year? Check out our Instagram Story and go behind-the-scenes 👀 https://t.co/xRrFvXw3RS pic.twitter.com/WUS5CAjmlr

— MusiCares (@MusiCares) January 27, 2018