Runnin' down a dream: Tom Petty to be celebrated as 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year

Whether moving west down Ventura Boulevard, gliding down over Mulholland or living in Reseda with a freeway running through the yard, Tom Petty has soundtracked Southern California life for more than 40 years. Those classic songs, including "American Girl," "The Waiting," "Wildflowers," "Free Fallin'" and dozens of others, will be celebrated in February when Petty receives the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year award. Announced Wednesday, the honor is presented by MusiCares, a Los Angeles charity that offers assistance to musicians and music professionals in need. The organization is the primary charitable arm of the Recording Academy, which presents the yearly Grammy Awards. Previous winners have included Carole King, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand and Bob Dylan.