Longevity and conflict have become defining characteristics in the shared half-century career of Aerosmith, the classic rockers who were honored Friday at the annual MusiCares Person of the Year Gala. Over the decades, they’ve survived addiction, cancer and a falloff of chart action, and somehow bounced back mostly intact.

The band’s latest moment of glory and dysfunction landed during a Grammy weekend planned as triumphant recognition for a winning streak of hits and fortitude — unfolding at the MusiCares tribute and on the Grammy telecast on Sunday. But after sidelined drummer Joey Kramer sued (unsuccessfully) to prevent Aerosmith from performing without him, a few awkward moments were to be expected.

“Remember, people only really get interesting when they start to rattle the bars on their cages,” declared singer Steven Tyler from the stage, receiving his award alongside Kramer, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford and bassist Tom Hamilton at the podium, just before the band performed, sans Kramer. Tyler rested a brotherly hand on Kramer’s shoulder.

An injury last year is reportedly why Kramer has had to sit out live performances with the Boston group, including Aerosmith’s ongoing residency in Las Vegas. For the Grammys and MusiCares, he wanted to return to the drum kit. A judge in Massachusetts ruled in the band’s favor instead. Drum tech John Douglas has been filling in, as he did Friday after Kramer left the stage.

While the MusiCares honor came amid a week of trauma at the Recording Academy — after its chief executive and president, Deborah Dugan, was placed on leave after just five months — the night raised $6 million for the popular charity, which provides music industry workers with support during financial and medical crises, including for substance abuse.

“We’re musicians and we’re … artists and we’re out of our minds. Most of the time it goes into the music and we get lost in it,” Tyler said during the night’s closing moments, thanking the charity. “And should I — which I won’t — fall again, you will help me back up again

The dinner marked the 30th anniversary of the MusiCares award, which has honored major artists from Barbra Streisand to Bob Dylan. At past dinners, the Grammy CEO has played a public part, but amid the organization’s current upheaval that role was shared by Recording Academy Vice Chair Tammy Hurt and Chair Emeritus Christine Allen.

From the podium, Hurt said the group “serves to support the people behind the music, the creators, the songwriters, the engineers and producers and mixers and all the others who poured their heart into stirring our souls.” While no mention was made onstage of the Dugan controversy, the explosive back and forth about the academy has raised concern about how the charity might be affected.