33rd Annual MusiCares Awards Honor Jon Bon Jovi as “Person of the Year”

Feb 6

Written by Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen
Photos by Lori Lea Hutchinson

Congratulations to Jon Bon Jovi for being honored as the MusiCares “Person of the Year” for the 33rd Annual Awards on Friday, February 2nd 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Jon Bon Jovi is not only known for his 40-year career with Bon Jovi, but also for his ongoing philanthropy with both the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and his Soul Kitchen restaurants.

Photo by Monica Schipper-Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Dozens of publications and various media outlets covered the red carpet for this event. Celebrity guests and performers walked the red carpet for hours doing brief interviews and posing for photos prior to entering the event.

The entire Bon Jovi band, including Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, and Hugh McDonald, walked the Red Carpet, along with touring musicians John Shanks and Everett Bradley. *

Jon was humbled as he was repeatedly congratulated. I did get a quick chance to congratulate him and tell him that I was “proud of him.” The other big Jon Bon Jovi news is that three of his four children are engaged!

We are honored to have been part of this incredible event honoring Jon Bon Jovi, and were able to get brief interviews with Annie Ray, Young Dro, Orianthi, Ted Danson, and his wife Mary Steenburgen.

Annie Ray, who won the 2024 Music Educator of the Year Award, spoke about Jon Bon Jovi’s musicality and what he does for the music communities. “It goes so beyond what he does on the stage and how he reaches into people’s hearts.” She uses his music to teach her students what musicality can sound like with Bon Jovi guitar moments, and other bits and pieces of their music.

Young Dro told me he wanted to write and record an iconic song that can be sung years and even decades later, like Jon. He elaborates, “I’ve yet to top that, or even come near it, so that keeps me going. One day I’m gonna get me a hit like “It’s My Life.” He’s a great representation of a real rocker.“

Orianthi discussed what a big deal it is for her, as an artist, that Jon Bon Jovi is so into giving back. Having a voice, and using it, is so important. “MusiCares is a wonderful foundation. I’ve done a lot for them. That’s why I’m here.”

Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson shared fond memories of dancing in the kitchen with their kids listening to Bon Jovi. Steenburger loves those memories… They both agreed that how Jon lives his life is such an inspiration. Mary continues, “He gives so much to others, and not everybody that’s as successful as he is sees that that is maybe what they should do. He gives so much we just admire him for it.”

Hosted by Jim Gaffigan, the 2024 tribute to Jon Bon Jovi featured 15 performances including Melissa Etheridge, Jelly Roll, Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, and Lenny Kravitz… As well as the legendary Bon Jovi band themselves.

For the encore, all the performers came back onstage to perform "Livin' On A Prayer” as a group. Jon Bon Jovi made his way around the stage, hugging and high-fiving everyone. Bon Jovi plans to tour in 2025 in honor of their 40th Anniversary, but nothing has been formalized.

The first MusiCares Awards took place in 1991 honoring Robbin Crosby. Other Recipients have included Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Bono, Sting, Neil Diamond, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and more.

*Phil X was not on the Red Carpet, but performed with Bon Jovi. Richie Sambora planned to attend, but forfeited to care for his mother, who tripped on her carpet, fell, and broke her hip.