From a star-studded lineup including Jelly Roll, Shania Twain and Bruce Springsteen to an honoree with a stacked roster of hits, the 2024 Person of the Year gala was bound to be memorable — and it did not disappoint.
The Los Angeles Convention Center was transformed into a rock arena on Feb. 2, when superstars new and old paid tribute to Jon Bon Jovi at MusiCares’ 2024 Person of the Year gala.
From Jason Isbell’s howling performance of “Wanted Dead Or Alive” to Shania Twain’s sultry take on “Bed Of Roses,” Bon Jovi’s hit-filled catalog made for an exciting evening — one that both celebrated the rock legend’s contributions to his community, and supported MusiCares’ vital programs and relief efforts that help music people in need.
Below, check out seven memorable moments from the 2024 Person of the Year gala.
Carpet Karaoke
Several of the night’s performers as well as celebrity guests hit the red carpet as they arrived, with many talking to the Recording Academy about Jon Bon Jovi’s impact on music and on their own lives.
“The music is embedded in the American Songbook — it’s a permanent fixture in American pop culture,” said Johnny Reznick, frontman of the Goo Goo Dolls, who performed one of Bon Jovi’s later hits, 2016’s “This House Is Not For Sale.”
“I grew up with these songs, and some of the first music that I learned to play was Bon Jovi,” added Jason Isbell. 2024 GRAMMYs Best New Artist nominee Jelly Roll, who played a rowdy rendition of Bon Jovi’s chart-topper “Bad Medicine,” gushed over the opportunity: “Of all the crazy phone calls I’ve gotten in the last two years — which, I’ve gotten some really wild phone calls — this is up there, dude. This might have been the wildest one yet.”
Naturally, several of the conversations about the rock legend resulted in a little singing. Rico Love busted out a snippet of Bon Jovi’s 2000 hit “It’s My Life,” while Wolfgang Van Halen admitted that the band’s 1987 smash “Wanted Dead Or Alive” is his “go-to karaoke song.” Of course, the resounding favorite was the group’s most iconic anthem, “Livin’ On A Prayer,” which eventually served as the night’s finale (but more on that later).
An Array Of Activations
Before making their way into the dinner room, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options provided by Hampton Water Rosé (Jon Bon Jovi’s brand!), Sierra Nevada, Heineken Silver, Smirnoff, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits, Heineken 0.0, Fiji Water, and Starbucks.
Inside the cocktail reception, guests could explore a number of featured activations, including a Jon Bon Jovi hologram where they could have their photo taken with the honoree, ELS STUDIO 3D Premium Audio speakers were showcased inside a Fisker car for guests to experience, Julien’s Auctions displayed items from MusiCares’ 2024 Charity Relief Auction, and a GRAMMY Museum activation highlighted Bon Jovi songs as they’ve been sampled by hip-hop artists throughout the years.
Two of the event’s beverage supporters also had interactive guest experiences setup during the cocktail reception. Hampton Water Rosé hosted a “Ring For Rosé” wall, which involved guests ringing a bell at a wall of greenery to then be served a glass of rosé through the wall. Starbucks served their Nitro Cold Brew from a two-tap system built into a bike. Guests could also enjoy a specialty cocktail provided by Starbucks: a Starbucks Reserve Cold Brew Martini.
Starbucks’ activation at the Person Of The Year cocktail reception | Courtesy of Memoryscape
Heartfelt Congratulations
As guests were treated to a three-course meal before the show, messages on screens around the room highlighted Jon Bon Jovi’s impact as well as offered congratulatory wishes. Many were from the evening’s sponsors who made the event possible: AEG, City National Bank, ELS STUDIO 3D Premium Audio, Hilton, Dana and Robert Kraft with The Kraft Group, Meta, Starbucks, and Wasserman Foundation.
“Your creativity, generous spirit, and passion for philanthropy are an inspiration,” shared Meta, one of the night’s sponsors alongside AEG, The Kraft Group, ELS STUDIO 3D Premium Audio, Starbucks, Hilton, City National Bank, and Wasserman Foundation. “With over 40 years of love songs and arena anthems, your music has shaped the generations before and the generations to come,” wrote Amazon Music. ELS STUDIO 3D Premium Audio added, “Jon, thank you for your music, your commitment to charitable work, and for always keeping the faith.”
One of the most poignant messages came straight from the night’s honoree, as one message shared a fitting quote from Jon Bon Jovi himself: “Miracles happen every day. Change your perception of what a miracle is, and you’ll see them all around you.”
A Jersey Boys Reunion
After Jon Bon Jovi kicked off the night’s program with a debut of a brand-new song titled “Legendary,” he brought out the man he considers “my mentor, my friend, my brother, and my hero”: Bruce Springsteen.
The pair shared the stage for not one, but two songs, the first serving as the perfect ode to their New Jersey roots. They delivered a rousing performance of “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” followed by Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town cut “The Promised Land” — the latter of which spawned a harmonica-off and scissor kicks.
The bond between Bon Jovi and Springsteen was undeniable both on stage and off. They sat side by side the rest of the night — next to Paul McCartney, no less — and when Bon Jovi later returned to the stage to offer his gratitude for his honor, he revealed just how meaningful their friendship is.
The Roast Of Jon Bon Jovi
With comedian Jim Gaffigan serving as the night’s host, laughs were inevitable. But perhaps what the audience — and Bon Jovi himself — didn’t anticipate was that Gaffigan’s hosting duties would result in a good old roast.
Gaffigan largely poked fun at Bon Jovi’s hilariously bad ’80s style, from his wild crimped mane to his band’s aerobics-instructor-inspired looks. The jokester had a whole slew of old pictures to prove it, many of which sparked howling laughter from the crowd.
“This looks like an AI version of an ’80s rock group,” Gaffigan quipped as one flashed on the screen behind him. Another showed Bon Jovi in front of an American flag, which had Gaffigan questioning, “Is he the president of glam rock?”
Of course, it was all in good fun (and Bon Jovi clearly enjoyed it), and Gaffigan’s monologue noted Bon Jovi’s charitable contributions that led to his Person of the Year honor. But there was no way the comedian was leaving the stage without one more jab — and a fitting one at that: “Some heroes wear capes, and some wear short shorts.”
Impressive Vocal Performances
From Melissa Etheridge to Lainey Wilson, the sheer talent among the night’s performers was evident just by looking at the lineup. So when it came to tackling a dynamic vocal like Bon Jovi’s, some of the renditions were mind-blowing.
The show-stopping moment of the night, though, was arguably thanks to The War & Treaty. Performing “I’ll Be There For You” from a rotating platform in the center of the crowd, the husband and wife duo of Michael and Tanya Trotter reimagined the power ballad as a harmony-driven duet that nearly blew the roof off the place.
One Happy Honoree
Throughout the show, the camera flashed to Jon Bon Jovi as his songs were brought to life — and judging by his ear-to-ear grin, he enjoyed every second.
Whether he was clapping and singing along or giving a standing ovation, it was apparent that Bon Jovi had a blast watching other artists pay tribute to his legacy. At one point, the camera even caught him saying “I’m having a great time” after Gaffigan asked if he’s enjoying himself.
To close out the night, he invited all 15 performers back up for an ensemble rendition of “Livin’ On A Prayer.” As the group belted out every line, Bon Jovi made his way around the stage to hug and high-five everyone who honored him. And as one of the last people to leave the stage, it was clear he didn’t want the night to end — and that it would be a night he’ll never forget.
