New Jersey comes West to kick off Grammy weekend with native sons Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen
LOS ANGELES (AP) – New Jersey came to the West Coast to kick off Grammy Awards weekend, with native sons Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen teaming up.
The occasion was to honor Bon Jovi for his musical achievements and philanthropic efforts as MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday night.
Bon Jovi hailed Springsteen as “my hero, my friend, my mentor” to a crowd of 2,000 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Instead of performing at the end of the evening as is traditional for the honoree, Bon Jovi got the nearly three-hour show going. He and Springsteen traded guitar licks on “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” as scenes of New Jersey were projected behind them.
With the crowd on its feet for a standing ovation, they segued into Springsteen’s “The Promised Land,” with Bon Jovi on harmonica before Springsteen joined him.
Bon Jovi then retreated to his star-studded table in the crowd. He was joined by his wife, Dorothea, Paul McCartney and his wife, Nancy, Springsteen, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and actor-singer Rita Wilson.
+19
View gallery
Bruce Springsteen, left, and Jon Bon Jovi perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Springsteen appeared two days after his 98-year-old mother Adele died.
“When I first got the news he was already on the airplane on his way here,” Bon Jovi told the crowd. “I certainly would have understood if he´d said that he couldn´t make it, 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.”
Melissa Etheridge was joined by Larkin Poe for a rip-roaring version of “Blaze of Glory” two days before the Grammy Awards.
Best new artist nominee Jelly Roll performed “Bad Medicine” and Lainey Wilson sang “We Weren´t Born to Follow.”
Pat Monahan of Train tackled “It´s My Life” as Bon Jovi bobbed his head in time to the music.
Clad in black-fringed leather, Shania Twain sang “Bed of Roses” as the hall was bathed in red lighting. Bon Jovi touched his hand to his heart as she closed out the ballad.
Jason Isbell did “Wanted Dead or Alive” and Damiano David of Måneskin sang “Keep the Faith.”
The War and Treaty took the crowd to church with their soulful in-the-round performance of “I´ll Be There for You” that earned a standing ovation.
Van Halen fans got a treat when the band’s former lead singer, Sammy Hagar, did “You Give Love a Bad Name” with Orianthi on guitar. Wolfgang Van Halen and his Mammoth WVH came out later to do “Have a Nice Day.”
Brandy Clark, a six-time nominee on Sunday, played guitar and sang “(You Want to) Make a Memory” in the round backed by piano and cello.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan hosted and relentlessly mocked Bon Jovi for his big hair and penchant for wearing short-shorts in the 1980s. Proof of the rocker’s questionable sartorial choices were flashed on video screens around the hall.
“Does it feel like you’re looking in a mirror?” Gaffigan said when he later walked out dressed in a Jack Daniels sleeveless T-shirt, denim shorts, spiked hair and cowboy boots.
Bon Jovi broke out laughing.
“Livin’ On a Prayer” became an all-star finale, with Bon Jovi joined onstage by the other performers for a singalong.
Kraft presented Bon Jovi with his award as MusiCares Person of the Year. The two first met on the sidelines at the 1997 Super Bowl.
Bon Jovi founded the JBJ Soul Kitchen Food Bank and his Soul Foundation, a nonprofit that operates community restaurants in three New Jersey cities. His foundation also has helped fund more than 700 units of affordable housing in 11 states and the District of Columbia.
“Tonight and every night I know how blessed I´ve been,” Bon Jovi said.
Now in its 34th year, the dinner and auction raised money for programs and services supporting musicians in need.
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of singer Sammy Hagar’s last name to Hagar, not Hager.
For more coverage of the 2024 Grammys, visit https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards
+19
View gallery
Bruce Springsteen, left, and Jon Bon Jovi perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Jon Bon Jovi performs during MusiCares Person of the Year in his honor on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Bruce Springsteen, left, and Jon Bon Jovi perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Host Jim Gaffigan speaks during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Rebecca Lovell of Larkin Poe, from left, Melissa Etheridge, and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Lainey Wilson performs during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Jelly Roll performs during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Pat Monahan performs during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Damiano David performs during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Jason Isbell performs during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Michael Trotter Jr., left, and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Shania Twain performs during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Orianthi, left, and Sammy Hagar perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Mammoth WVH perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Brandy Clark performs during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Michael Trotter Jr., Hugh McDonald, Jon Bon Jovi, Shania Twain, John Shanks, Jelly Roll, and Rebecca Lovell perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Jon Bon Jovi accepts his Musicares Person of the Year award during a ceremony in his honor on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
+19
View gallery
Robert Kraft speaks during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
News
Jrue Holiday’s Wife Shares ‘Vulnerable’ Message About His Unexpected Trade from Milwaukee: ‘It Crushed Me’
Jrue Holiday’s Wife Shares ‘Vulnerable’ Message About His Unexpected Trade from Milwaukee: ‘It Crushed Me’ In the world of professional sports, trades and transfers are an inevitable part of the business. However, these moves often have profound personal implications, affecting…
Jrue Holiday and Lauren Holiday: All About the Athletes’ Relationship
Jrue Holiday and Lauren Holiday: All About the Athletes’ Relationship Jrue Holiday and Lauren Holiday are not only known for their remarkable achievements in sports but also for their inspiring love story. Both athletes have reached the pinnacle of their…
VIDEO: Angel Reese Got Ejected From The Liberty-Sky Game For The Most Ridiculous Reason & Fans Are Pissed
VIDEO: Angel Reese Got Ejected From The Liberty-Sky Game For The Most Ridiculous Reason & Fans Are Pissed Angel Reese (Image via Barstoolsports) Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese has received a lot of backlash in the last few days following Saturday’s game against…
Brittany Mahomes Shares Support for WNBA Star Caitlin Clark After Foul Drama: ‘Keep Doing Your Thing’ “It’s incredible to see what you’re doing for the game and women’s sports!!”
Brittany Mahomes Shares Support for WNBA Star Caitlin Clark After Foul Drama: ‘Keep Doing Your Thing’ “It’s incredible to see what you’re doing for the game and women’s sports!!” Brittany Mahomes has Caitlin Clark’s back! The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit…
“Kyrie Irving is better than Jayson Tatum”: Isaiah Thomas delivers big statement ahead of 2024 NBA Finals
“Kyrie Irving is better than Jayson Tatum”: Isaiah Thomas delivers big statement ahead of 2024 NBA Finals Isaiah Thomas believes Kyrie Irving is better than Jayson Tatum Former Boston Celtics fan favorite Isaiah Thomas made a significant statement about Kyrie Irving and…
Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai: the truth behind their alleged romance
Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai: the truth behind their alleged romance Jayson Tatum is a professional American basketball player for the Boston Celtics in the NBA. Known for his scoring ability, versatility, and skilful play, Tatum has quickly established himself…
End of content
No more pages to load
