Just like Bon Jovi has done for 40 years, musicians came to rock the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday night (February 2) as the band's namesake, Jon Bon Jovi, was honored at the annual MusiCares 33rd Person of the Year Gala .
The honoree himself set the tone for the night, opening the night with “Legendary,” the groundbreaking first single from the band's upcoming album that sounds like a Bon Jovi classic. “As I look out here at all the tuxedo executives, I remind you that this is a Bon Jovi concert,” Jon Bon Jovi said. “We are not sitting.”
And there was certainly no sitting as Bon Jovi then introduced Bruce Springsteen, calling him “my mentor, my hero, my brother, my friend” as the crowd of more than 2,000 began chanting the requisite “BRUUUUUUCE ». Springsteen's participation was in doubt following the death of his 98-year-old mother, Adele, on Wednesday (January 31).
As Bon Jovi later explained, when Springsteen — the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year — first heard the news about his mother, he was already on a plane to Los Angeles. “I definitely would have understood if he said he wasn't going to make it,” Bon Jovi said, “but he wanted to be here tonight for MusiCares. And he wanted to be here tonight for me. And I am forever grateful to you.
The two most famous musicians from New Jersey (except perhaps Frank Sinatra) delivered spirited renditions of Bon Jovi's 2006 hit “Who Says You Can't Go Home,” which boasts Springsteen's “Alrights” in the chorus and Springsteen's “Promised Land.” ,” with Bon Jovi playing Springsteen's harmonica parts, before the Boss joins in for a little harmonica duet at the end.
Among those who sang in the audience were Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, MSNBC host Ari Melber, frequent Bon Jovi collaborator Desmond Child, Rita Wilson, Carly Pierce, Gayle King, Nile Rodgers and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul; . The latter pair made the rounds earlier in the evening, mingling with Bon Jovi, 2012 MusiCares honoree Paul McCartney and Springsteen.
Bon Jovi then sat down, flanked for much of the evening by Springsteen and McCartney, as a constellation of artists took the stage to deliver some of the most beloved anthems in the arena rock canon of the past 40 years. With more than 150 million albums sold, including 12-time platinum rock juggernaut Slips when wetand nearly 20 top 40 hits, there was no shortage of familiar material to draw from.
Melissa Etheridge, along with Larkin Poe, had the difficult task of following Bon Jovi and Springsteen, but proved more than up to the challenge with a delightful version of No. 1 Jon Bon Jovi solo hit, 'Blaze of Glory', from the 1990 film. Young Guns ll. Train's Pat Monahan provided a stylish take on his 2000 driving hit, “It's My Life.” Shania Twain gave a dramatic reading of the ballad 'Bed of Roses'. Sammy Hagar was joined by guitarist Orianthi for Bon Jovi's first No.1 in 1986, 'You Give Love A Bad Name'. and Jason Isbell pulled out a double-neck guitar, similar to the one played by former band member Richie Sambora, on the iconic “Wanted Dead or Alive.” While much of the work came from the multi-platinum group's '80s and '90s era, the Goo Goo Dolls dipped into more recent fare, taking the self-titled track from 2016 This house is not for sale.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan served as a witty and often hilarious host, gleefully grilling Jon Bon Jovi on '80s fashion and even more so on his '80s big hair, even taking the stage in a replica of a trademark of Jon's poster. Bon Jovi from the 80s in a cut-off Jack Daniels T-shirt, obscenely short denim shorts and a wig with a shocking amount of teased flowing blonde locks. As he sarcastically noted of the ridiculously photogenic Bon Jovi, “You have to wonder where he'd go if he was good-looking.”
Later, he suggested that Bon Jovi, McCartney and Springsteen, as well as fellow New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, could create a new iteration of The Traveling Wilburys, with Kraft on lead vocals.
In addition, a new generation of artists was well equipped by taking songs they had probably grown up with or heard their parents play. Best New Artist nominee Jelly Roll delivered a mesmerizing “Bad Medicine” while taking advantage of playing in front of a roomful of music industry powerhouses to spread a message about an issue he cares about, drug addiction. The country artist, who spoke at a congressional hearing in support of an anti-fentanyl bill in January, wore a jacket emblazoned with drug addiction facts, including one on the back that read “190 people a day overdose and die in the United States of America.”
A hottie Lainey Wilson followed with a lively “Weren't Born to Follow”, while MĂĄneskin's charismatic frontman Damiano David performed a propulsive “Keep the Faith”. Wolfgang Van Halen's Mammoth WVH delivered a powerful 'Have A Nice Day' and guitar wizard Marcus King showed off his incredible work on 'Born to Be My Baby'.
Playing on the circle, rotating B-stage in the middle of the audience, Best New Artist nominees The War and Treaty gave one of the most inspired performances of the night at times singing directly to each other with a soaring, emotional take on “I'll Be There For You,” Bon Jovi's 1989 devotional story that husband-and-wife team Michael and Tonya Trotter should definitely consider cutting for their next album. Also, the smaller venue was used to great effect by the 17-time Grammy nominee Brandy Clark with a beautiful performance of 2007's “(You Want to) Make a Memory”.
The night also included video tributes from Matthew McConaughey, John Mayer, P!nk, Ed Sheeran and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, who praised Bon Jovi for his “daily commitment [help] other people.” Bon Jovi's myriad philanthropic endeavors include the JBJ Soul Foundation, which has built nearly 1,000 units of affordable housing, and JBJ Soul Kitchens, which operates on a pay-as-you-go model where those in need volunteer their meals in the kitchen while paying.Customers are asked to make a donation that will cover their meal as well as the meal of someone in need.
Kraft, who first met Bon Jovi on the sidelines at the 1997 Super Bowl (“In a game we lost,” he noted), presented Bon Jovi with his award, praising the honoree for his business acumen and social his consciousness.
“Unlike the majority of artists and performers, who are understandably insular, Jon's always had an empathy for the world at large,” Kraft said. “And he has shown that impact as a philanthropist. He has used his platform as a global rock star and combined it with his own money and operational ability to create the Soul Foundation… creating a model program to solve the vicious cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness that he now has copied by many others. ” He also praised the son of two Marines for his long marriage to his high school sweetheart, Dorothea.
After thanking Springsteen and McCartney (telling the Beatle, “I think it's fair to say that most, if not all, of the reason we're in the room tonight is because of you.”), Bon Jovi quickly noted that this award would not have been possible without those around him. “Everything I've accomplished with or without the band or in my philanthropic life has had the support of my family, my friends, my teammates, my partners and an army of willing people who were ready to take my dreams and make them happen. carry out. reality,” he said.
He also praised music's ability to be the “common thread” that “moves us when we're happy and comforts us when we're sad and brings us together.” He then talked about the recent purchase of his first electric guitar which he sold in 1979 for $100. With his recovered guitar back in his hands, “the first thing I did was hold it, hug it, really, and then I wrote a song… another thing I've learned is that every time I strum my guitar, I remember having a best friend for life. This instrument will never let you down.”
Bon Jovi then thanked MusiCares for helping those musicians less fortunate than himself who needed a helping hand. Since 1991, MusiCares has distributed more than $110 million to provide essential support for programs and services that help the music community, including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, prevention clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies and of disaster relief.
(L-R) Michael Trotter Jr., Hugh McDonald, Jon Bon Jovi, Sammy Hagar and Jelly Roll attend the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2024 in Los Angeles
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Ending by saying, “the 18-year-old in me wants to sing with everyone else,” Bon Jovi invited his band back to the stage, including keyboardist David Bryan and drummer Tico Torres, as well as all of the night's artists (minus Springsteen ) to perform the group's beloved anthem and 1986 Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Living on a Prayer.” Jon Bon Jovi roamed the stage, hugging and exchanging lyrics with many of the performers to close out the night.
See the MusiCares Salute to Jon Bon Jovi set list below:
“Legendary”, Bon Jovi
“Who Says You Can't Go Home,” Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen
“The Promised Land”, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen
“Blaze of Glory,” Melissa Etheridge and Larkin Poe
“Bad Medicine,” Jelly Roll
“We weren't born to follow,” Lainey Wilson
“It's My Life,” Pat Monaghan
“Bed of Roses”, Shania Twain
“Wanted Dead or Alive”, Jason Isbell
“Keep the Faith”, Damiano David
“This House Is Not For Sale”, Goo Goo Dolls
“I'll Be There for You”, The War and the Treaty
“Good Day,” Mammoth WVH
“(You Want to) Make a Memory,” Brandi Clark
“Living on a Prayer”, Bon Jovi and guests
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/jon-bon-jovi-musicares-gala-grammys-bruce-springsteen-paul-mccartney-1235597324/