Los Angeles— New Jersey natives Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen kicked off Grammy Awards weekend on the West Coast. Bon Jovi was named MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday night for his musical and philanthropic work. Bon Jovi called Springsteen “my hero, my friend, my mentor” to 2,000 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The honoree usually performs at the end of the night, but Bon Jovi started the nearly three-hour event. On “Who Says You Can't Go Home,” he and Springsteen swapped guitar licks as New Jersey scenes were displayed behind them.
A standing ovation led to Springsteen's "The Promised Land," with Bon Jovi on harmonica before Springsteen joined him. Bon Jovi then retired to his star-studded audience table. His wife Dorothea, Paul McCartney and Nancy, Springsteen, Robert Kraft, and Rita Wilson joined him.
“When I first got the news he was already on the airplane on his way here,” Bon Jovi told the crowd. "I would have understood if he hadn't made it, but he wanted to be here tonight for MusiCares and me, and I'm forever grateful to you."
Two days before the Grammys, Melissa Etheridge and Larkin Poe put up a rousing rendition of “Blaze of Glory”. Jelly Roll sang “Bad Medicine” and Lainey Wilson sang “We Weren’t Born to Follow.” As Bon Jovi bobbled, Train's Pat Monahan sang “It's My Life”.
Shania Twain sang “Bed of Roses” in red-lit hall in black-fringed leather. She ended the ballad with Bon Jovi touching his heart. Jason Isbell performed “Wanted Dead or Alive” and Damiano David of Måneskin sang “Keep the Faith.”
A standing ovation followed The War and Treaty's passionate in-the-round performance of “I'll Be There for You” at church.Sammy Hagar performed “You Give Love a Bad Name” with Orianthi on guitar for Van Halen fans. Later, Wolfgang Van Halen and his Mammoth WVH performed “Have a Nice Day.”
On Sunday, six-time nominee Brandy Clark played guitar and sang “(You Want to) Make a Memory” with piano and cello. In the 1980s, Jim Gaffigan hosted and denigrated Bon Jovi for his large hair and short shorts. Video displays around the hall showed the rocker's poor fashion choices.
“Is it like looking in a mirror?” Gaffigan stated as he left in a Jack Daniels sleeveless T-shirt, denim shorts, spiked hair, and cowboy boots. Jon Bon Jovi laughed. Bon Jovi and the other artists sang “Livin’ On a Prayer” as the finale. Kraft gave Bon Jovi his MusiCares Person of the Year award. They met at the 1997 Super Bowl on the sidelines.
Bon Jovi launched the organization JBJ Soul Kitchen Food Bank and Soul Foundation, which runs community eateries in three New Jersey cities. He has funded over 700 affordable housing units in 11 states and DC through his charity. “Tonight and every night I know how blessed I’ve been,” Bon Jovi remarked. The 34th annual dinner and auction supported musicians in need.
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