Jon Bon Jovi was honored as MusiCares ® Person of the Year on Friday, February 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. The event, held two nights before the 66th annual GRAMMY® Awards, featured performances and appearances by such stars as Bruce Springsteen, Sammy Hagar, Melissa Etheridge, Wolfgang Van Halen, Jason Isbell, Shania Twain, Kylie Minogue, and the guest of honor, among others. The 33rd annual benefit gala was hosted by comedian Jim Gaffigan. Jon Bon Jovi formed his band in 1983.
The tribute, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, featured performances from the Bon Jovi catalog including “You Give Love a Bad Name” (Hagar), “Have a Nice Day” (Wolfgang Van Halen), “Blaze of Glory” (Etheridge), “It’s My Life” (Train’s Pat Monahan), “This House is Not For Sale” (Goo Goo Dolls), “Wanted Dead or Alive” (Isbell), and “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” and “The Promised Land” (featuring Jersey boys Springsteen and JBJ). Watch several of the performances below. Paul McCartney was in attendance but did not perform.
“Jon Bon Jovi is a rock and roll trailblazer, influencing countless artists over the years. MusiCares is honored to pay tribute to him as our 2024 Person of the Year. Bon Jovi has also lent his life’s work to philanthropic efforts that align with the health and human services mission of MusiCares, forever changing the lives of those in need,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares.
Since 1991, money raised from this gala has gone toward providing essential support for MusiCares programs and services assisting the music community in times of need, including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventive clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies, and disaster relief.
“Every kid who ever learned to play an instrument or to sing,” said Bon Jovi in his speech, “is given one of the great gifts in God’s heaven and that gift is music.”
Jon Bon Jovi joined an impressive list of recent MusiCares honorees including Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, and Dolly Parton.
