The rock veteran is the second New Jersey native to receive the honor, following Bruce Springsteen in 2013.
Jon Bon Jovi will be honored as the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year at the annual benefit gala, to be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 — two nights before the 66th annual Grammy Awards at the adjoining Crypto.com Arena.
In addition to his musical achievements, Jon Bon Jovi is being recognized for his philanthropic work. In 2006, he established the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which is dedicated to disrupting the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness.
“I’m truly humbled to be this year’s MusiCares honoree,” Jon Bon Jovi said in a statement. “MusiCares’ work with music professionals is vitally important in creating much-needed support and wellness programs that cultivate a healthier and more vibrant community for us all. Philanthropic work has been a cornerstone of my life and has always run in tandem to my music career and achievements. Nearly two decades ago when I formed the JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchens, I saw firsthand and continue to see today the impact of charitable community-based work. I know this for sure: helping one’s community is helping one’s self.”
Jon Bon Jovi is 61, which makes him the youngest solo honoree since Don Henley received the honor at age 59 in 2007. (MusiCares usually selects veteran artists because they have decades worth of connections in the industry, which means more tickets and tables sold for the charity event.)
Jon Bon Jovi is the second New Jersey native to receive the honor, following Bruce Springsteen in 2013.
This isn’t the first time a group leader or key member of an ongoing band has been honored individually. Tom Petty (2017), Springsteen (2013), Bono (2003) and Henley (2007) were also singled out. Two groups have received the honor: Aerosmith (2020) and Fleetwood Mac (2018).
The Person of the Year ceremony is one of the marquee events during Grammy Week. It includes a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner and concert featuring other artists paying tribute to the honoree.
Since 1991, money raised from this gala goes toward MusiCares health and human services programs that assist the music community with physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventive clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief.
“MusiCares is thrilled to honor Jon Bon Jovi at the 2024 Person of the Year Gala,” Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, said in a statement. “His remarkable contributions to rock and roll have not only left an indelible mark on the music industry, but also in the hearts of countless fans around the world. Furthermore, his long-standing commitment to serving food-insecure and unhoused individuals inspires us all. We’re looking forward to celebrating him and the many ways he has made a difference in this world.”
Jon Bon Jovi joins an impressive list of recent MusiCares honorees including Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac and Dolly Parton. Here’s a list showing all of the Person of the Year honorees, from David Crosby to Jon Bon Jovi.
The band Bon Jovi was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. It received its one and only Grammy to date in 2007 for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” featuring Jennifer Nettles, which was voted best country collaboration with vocals.
The band has amassed six No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 – Slippery When Wet (1986-87), New Jersey (1988), Lost Highway (2007), The Circle (2009), What About Now (2013) and This House Is Not for Sale (2016).
The band has notched four No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 – “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Bad Medicine” and “I’ll Be There for You.” In addition, Jon Bon Jovi has had one solo No. 1 on the Hot 100, “Blaze of Glory” (from Young Guns II).
The band has also had one No. 1 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart – and how many rock bands can say that? – with the aforementioned “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” featuring Jennifer Nettles. The song led for two weeks in May 2006.
Since its inception in 2006, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has provided more than 700 units of affordable and supportive housing in 11 states and provided homes to 77 previously homeless veterans along with a stable of support onsite. Jon and his wife Dorothea opened the first JBJ Soul Kitchen in 2011, a nonprofit community restaurant with a pay-it-forward model and have since served more than 100,000 meals in multiple locations.
The Person of the Year event will again be produced by live event broadcast outfit Lewis & Clark, comprised of Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark. Rob Mathes will serve as musical director.
Tables and tickets are available for purchase here. For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, visit MusiCares.org or email personoftheyear@musicares.org.
Individual tickets for the event start at $2,500. Better-situated individual tickets are priced at $3,500, $5,000 and $6,000. Tables (seating 12) start at $25,000 and go up to $70,000. But a three-table package can be had for $200,000, a $10,000 discount over the per-table price.
Fuente: Billboard | By Paul Grein
