Bruce Springsteen Collaborates with John Fogerty, Tom Morello, and Smokey Robinson in Epic Jam Session
All-Star Elegance at the American Music Honors 2023
West Long Branch, NJ – Saturday night saw the Monmouth University campus transformed into a temple of music as the American Music Honors, organized by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center, celebrated icons of the industry. This year’s honorees—Smokey Robinson, John Fogerty, Emmylou Harris, Tom Morello, and Joe Ely—were recognized not just for their contributions to music, but for their enduring influence across generations.
Despite being held before an intimate crowd of just 714, the evening boasted performances worthy of any grand arena. All but Joe Ely were present to receive their accolades, electrifying the audience with a parade of classic hits alongside legendary collaborators like Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul and surprise guests Jackson Browne, Nils Lofgren, Darlene Love, and the ever-charismatic host, former NBC News anchor Brian Williams.
Video footage flooded social media following the event, thanks largely to avid fans who documented the night’s highlights (kudos to Dr. Marty Jablow for his stellar camera work!). While the inherent charm of this intimate setting sparkled, the absence of a televised broadcast felt like a major misstep—particularly for an event that rivaled the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The evening’s centerpiece was a series of heartfelt induction speeches delivered by Springsteen himself, who spoke for both Ely and Fogerty. Reuniting with Fogerty, the Boss resurrected some of their most significant collaborations from the 2004 Vote For Change tour, belting out nostalgic Creedence Clearwater Revival classics like "Bad Moon Rising," "Proud Mary," and "Fortunate Son." It was a reminder of music’s unyielding power to inspire and unite.
Springsteen also used the occasion to honor his contemporaries, including a swaying rendition of Ely’s “All Just to Get to You,” and a vibrant duet with Smokey Robinson on the Motown classic “Going to a Go-Go." In a particularly poignant moment, he teamed up with Browne on "Take It Easy" and shared the stage with Morello for a rousing rendition of “The Ghost of Tom Joad” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.”
As the night drew to a close, every honoree returned to the stage for a show-stopping finale—the Woody Guthrie classic “This Land Is Your Land.” It was a rarity in Springsteen’s setlists these days, having last been performed in 2013, yet its themes of unity and togetherness resonated deeply in the air.
Next month, Springsteen and the E Street Band will launch into a robust European tour, promising 16 stadium shows that fans are eagerly anticipating. Furthermore, on June 27, Tracks II: The Lost Albums—a highly awaited collection of seven albums recorded between 1983 and 2018—will finally hit shelves. To add to the excitement, the biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White, will arrive before year’s end, focusing on the creation of Springsteen’s haunting 1982 masterpiece, Nebraska.
As the lights dimmed on this unforgettable night, the messages spoken through music echoed loudly—a call for celebration, remembrance, and a reminder that the magic of live performance transcends any digital recording. The American Music Honors may be a modest gathering, but it shines brightly in the legacy of rock’s greatest icons.
