Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town Celebrate Lionel Richie

The evening’s most impressive performance came from Yolanda Adams, the gospel singer who made the convention center feel like a church for five fervid minutes during “Jesus Is Love”.

So, what exactly was Dave Grohl doing at Lionel Richie’s tribute celebration Saturday night – because when you think Hello and Nirvana, the connection isn’t immediately obvious.

An A-list roster of stars from all major genres of music showed their appreciation for Lionel Richie Saturday night by performing their takes on his major hits, as Richie himself was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year for 2016.

As Grohl explained to the crowd at the Musicares Person of the Year Gala, in an epic speech before serenading Richie with his hit You Are, it all started with some muffins.

“You really got the white people up and dancing”, cracked host Jimmy Kimmel, who came out sporting a huge Afro and a white jumpsuit. Richie sent the rocker a huge basket of muffins as consolation, and Grohl saluted him as the “Muffin Man”. Along with Bryan, Stapleton, and Little Big Town, the celebration included other artists like Stevie Wonder, Pharrell, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz and Dave Grohl. “I say, ‘Give me a Tesla and I’ll show you'”.

“He’s a great musician…I feel very very happy to know that we wrote a song that changed the world, We Are The World”, he said. “I have to say, it’s hard to imagine singing about being easy on Sunday morning dressed like this”. Richie closed with, “Today I’m standing here celebrating all the songs they told me would ruin my career”.

“I am the father of mankind”, he said.

Among the crowd were producers Quincy Jones and David Foster, Motown founder Berry Gordy, David Crosby and Joe Walsh.

Proceeds from the 26th annual event go toward MusiCares, which provides support for the music community in times of financial, medical and personal need.