The Bruce Springsteen Archives awards show brings activism, icons, and unforgettable moments to the Jersey Shore
What happens when Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, John Fogerty, Emmylou Harris, and Tom Morello all take the same stage on the Jersey Shore?
Magic.
The American Music Honors ceremony, presented by the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, transformed Monmouth University’s Pollak Theatre into the most powerful room in music on Saturday, April 26. The intimate, 700-seat venue in West Long Branch overflowed with legends, rising voices, and social urgency—all wrapped in an electrifying celebration of the power of American music.
It was a night that blurred the lines between rock concert, award show, and political rally. And it could only have happened in New Jersey.
Star-Studded Honors and a Stage Full of Icons
Honorees Smokey Robinson, John Fogerty, Emmylou Harris, Tom Morello, and Joe Ely (in absentia) were recognized for their lifelong contributions to American music. And they were celebrated by a dream lineup: Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Little Steven Van Zandt, and Nils Lofgren, with musical support from Marc Ribler and the Disciples of Soul.
Also joining throughout the evening were Jackson Browne, Darlene Love, and Nora Guthrie, daughter of the legendary Woody Guthrie.
“It’s an honor to be here at the last big awards event before they throw us all in jail,” joked Tom Morello, as he delivered a fiery tribute to music as a tool of resistance.
He spoke passionately about the deep roots of music in American social movements, referencing Joe Hill’s union anthems, “We Shall Overcome,” and even Rage Against the Machine’s presence at recent anti-Trump protests.
“There’s never been a successful social movement in this country that didn’t have a great soundtrack,” Morello said, to thunderous applause.
Springsteen and Morello Team Up on ‘Tom Joad’
In response, Springsteen took the stage beside Morello to deliver a searing version of The Ghost of Tom Joad and added, “I second that emotion,” backing Morello’s call for music as a vehicle for justice.
Later in the evening, Morello led a star-studded performance of Woody Guthrie’s This Land is Your Land, joined by Nora Guthrie. He sang the often-censored verses about hunger and injustice with a power that echoed across generations.
“Woody always stood up for the poor, the downtrodden, for those on the lowest rungs of the ladder,” said Morello. “His guitar said, ‘This machine kills fascists.’”
Smokey Robinson, John Fogerty, and Soulful Tributes
Van Zandt introduced Motown icon Smokey Robinson with reverence:
“I have singer heroes, songwriter heroes, song-arranger heroes, and music producer heroes. When you get all of them in one guy, you get Smokey Robinson,” said Van Zandt.
Robinson responded with charm:
“I’m glad I didn’t have to follow you, Tom [Morello], because if you run for anything, I’m going to vote for you.”
Robinson and Van Zandt performed Tears of a Clown, then joined Springsteen on a lively Going to a Go-Go that had the whole theater swaying.
Springsteen himself introduced John Fogerty, praising the Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman’s timeless songwriting:
“John’s been able to condense everything—good and painful, joyful and serious—about this country we live in into two minutes and thirty seconds. That’s hard to [blanking] do.”
Fogerty, 79 and still rocking with precision, performed Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary, and Fortunate Son alongside The Boss, then returned to sing a verse of This Land is Your Land.
Emmylou, Ely, and Emotional High Notes
Patti Scialfa presented Emmylou Harris with heartfelt praise, and Harris reflected on a lifetime of musical collaboration:
“Music really did give me my heart and my life,” said Harris. “I think I really found my voice when I started singing harmony with Gram Parsons, and the road has just gone on and on.”
The two performed Red Dirt Girl in one of the night’s most touching moments.
Joe Ely couldn’t attend due to health reasons, but Springsteen honored him nonetheless:
“If the world was a fairer place, Joe Ely would have been huge—I mean huge! He’s got it all… the voice I wish I had.”
Springsteen sang Ely’s All Just to Get to You, backed by the Disciples of Soul.
Big Finish: Springsteen, Browne, and a Jersey Finale
The show closed with an all-star jam session that included Jackson Browne performing Take It Easy, and Springsteen delivering a thunderous Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out—bringing the Jersey Shore energy full circle.
From the Garden State to the Heart of American Music
The event wasn’t just star-studded; it was deeply rooted in activism, history, and Jersey pride. In the crowd were former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., and former Governor Chris Christie, who shared with Asbury Park Press:
“The show was great as I expected it would be. It was wonderful to see John Fogerty—his voice sounds great and he looks great. He’s amazing and we really enjoyed it.”
Lt. Governor Tahesha Way addressed the crowd in place of Governor Phil Murphy, who was in Poland for a Holocaust remembrance event. The evening’s host, journalist Brian Williams, brought humor and heart:
“We are gathering at a time when it feels like our world is falling apart. Hell, there’s no more White Lotus, we don’t currently have a pope, but what we have—what we always have—is music to help us get through.”
What’s Next for the Springsteen Archives?
This annual event continues to elevate the mission of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, which documents and preserves the legacy of Springsteen, the E Street Band, and the rich history of American music.
With a new permanent home under construction on the Monmouth University campus and expected to open in Spring 2026, the Archives will soon welcome fans and scholars from around the world to explore exhibits, recordings, oral histories, and more.
From Asbury Park to West Long Branch, the spirit of American music is alive and loud in New Jersey. The American Music Honors show is a shining reminder that the Garden State is not just home to legends—it’s where legends gather to inspire the future.