Jim Gaffigan, surveying the front table as host of the annual MusiCares gala Friday night, had a thought. Looking at “the musical powerhouses Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney — now, hear me out: a reboot of the Traveling Wilburys.” After a pause, he added, “I see Robert Kraft as the lead,” referring to the New England Patriots CEO who was sharing the veteran rockers’ company.
McCartney was there just as an onlooker and friend, and Kraft was there to give a speech introduced the night’s honoree, Bon Jovi, being celebrated as MusiCares’ Person of the Year at the charitable org’s annual dinner and concert. Springsteen had a bigger or at least more audience-galvanizing role to play: not just as the symbol of original New Jersey royalty bestowing its eternal blessing on Bon Jovi, but as his on-stage duet partner for the night.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: (L-R) Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi attend the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi during the 66th GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
After the honoree opened the evening’s musical performances as a solo artist with “Legendary,” he brought on “my mentor, my friend, my brother, my hero,” Springsteen, and together the two of them performed one song each from their respective catalogs. From Bon Jovi’s, it was “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” and from Springsteen’s, “The Promised Land” — the latter ending with both performers joining forces for a harmonica duet as the anthem’s coda.
“I’ve got the best seat in the house,” said Bon Jovi, pleased for his very closeup view of his duet partner.
There was some question, at least among curious fans, about whether Springsteen would keep his commitment to appear in tribute to his most famous acolyte, given that the news was out about his mother, Adele Springsteen, having died at age 98 just two days before the gala.
Explained Bon Jovi in his speech: “When I first got the news, he was already on the airplane on his way here. I certainly would’ve 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’m forever grateful to you,” he said, looking at Springsteen. The overhead screens showed a reaction shot of Springsteen with what appeared to be wet eyes.
It was a surprise to most attendees that Bon Jovi and Springsteen would open the show rather than bring down the house as a closer, but it was understood among those talking backstage that the guest of honor wanted to get his part over with and then enjoy a drink. He did return after his climactic speech to sing again for a bit on the show-closer, “Livin’ on a Prayer,” trading lead vocal lines with Lainey Wilson and Brandy Clark as the full cast joined in on gang vocals.
Besides Springsteen, Wilson and Clark, Bon Jovi was also serenaded during the evening by Jelly Roll, Jason Isbell, the War and Treaty, Shania Twain, Melissa Etheridge with Larkin Poe, Marcus King, Sammy Hagar with Orianthi, Goo Goo Dolls, Damiano David of Maneskin, Pat Monahan of Train, and Mammoth WVH, Wolfgang Van Halen’s band.
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