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.

"Bruce's mom passed two days ago, and when I first got the news he was already on the airplane here," Bon Jovi said. "I certainly would've understood if he'd said 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 am forever grateful to you for everything."

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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.

Though Larkin Poe's Rebecca Lovell offered background vocals for Etheridge's take on Bon Jovi's solo hit "Blaze of Glory," her powerful harmonies were the highlight of the performance. Later, Måneskin singer Damiano David delivered a flawless version of "Keep the Faith," and Sammy Hagar proved to be the perfect person to handle Bon Jovi's gritty breakup anthem "You Give Love a Bad Name."

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.

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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.

How Jon Bon Jovi Gives Back To His Local Community & Beyond

The Latin GRAMMY Awards have a history of surprise moments and tonight added to that legacy when Pitbull joined forces with a rock icon. The Cuban American superstar teamed up with Jon Bon Jovi for an explosive performance of "Now or Never," a new version of the latter's classic "It's My Life."

While the pairing seems unlikely, Pitbull and Bon Jovi have a history that dates back to 2017 after meeting at the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Since then, the GRAMMY-winning artists have performed together a few times, including a Jimmy Buffet tribute concert last April. Back in September, Pitbull and Bon Jovi teased their updated version of "It's My Life" on Bon Jovi's Party After Dark Tour.

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The duo rocked the house with help from a group of female dancers, exciting pyrotechnics and strobe lights. While Bon Jovi belted out the iconic chorus from "It's My Life," Pitbull added a fresh hip-hop and EDM spin to the song. Mr. 305 even made a nod to Frank Sinatra’s "My Way" in his slick verses. 

Although he's not nominated at the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, Pitbull has received a total of seven Latin GRAMMY nominations. He won his first Latin GRAMMY in 2013 for Best Urban Fusion/Performance for "Echa Pa'llá" (Hands Up). Three years later, Pitbull won his first GRAMMY Award in 2016 for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album for Dale, which tied with Natalia Lafourcade’s Hasta La Raíz. After recently wrapping the U.S. leg of his world tour, Pitbull will return to Las Vegas next year with Pitbull: Vegas After Dark The residency.

The performance was Bon Jovi's second appearance of the night on the Latin GRAMMY stage. Earlier in the evening, he presented the Person Of The Year award to Carlos Vives; the American rocker was the 2023 MusiCares Person Of The Year.

Check out the complete list of winners and nominees at the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs.

It’s officially awards season! Today, the nominees for the 2024 Emmys dropped — and, happily, the 2024 GRAMMYs telecast received a whopping five nominations.

At the 2024 Emmys, the 2024 GRAMMYs telecast is currently nominated for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special, and Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special.

Across these categories, this puts Music’s Biggest Night in a friendly head-to-head with other prestigious awards shows and live variety specials, including the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show starring Usher as well as fellow awards shows the Oscars and the Tonys.

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2024 was a banner year for the GRAMMYs. Music heroes returned to the spotlight; across Categories, so many new stars were minted. New GRAMMY Categories received their inaugural winners: Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording. Culture-shaking performances and acceptance speeches went down. Those we lost received a loving farewell via the In Memoriam segment.

The 2025 GRAMMYs will take place Sunday, Feb. 2, live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Nominations for the 2025 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

For more information about the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process, read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines, and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.

Bon Jovi have officially been in the cultural conversation for five decades — and it looks like we'll never say goodbye. 

The band's self-titled debut album was unleashed upon the world in 1984, and lead single "Runaway" made some waves. Yet the New Jersey group didn't truly break through until their third album, the 12 million-selling Slippery When Wet. By the late 1980s, they were arguably the biggest rock band in the world, selling out massive shows in arenas and stadiums. 

Since, Bon Jovi releases have consistently topped album charts (six of their studio albums hit No. 1). A big reason for their continued success is that, unlike a majority of their ‘80s peers, frontman Jon Bon Jovi made sure that they adapted to changing times while retaining the spirit of their music — from the anthemic stomp of 1986’s "Bad Medicine" to the Nashville crossover of 2005’s "Who Says You Can’t Go Home." It also doesn’t hurt that the 2024 MusiCares Person Of The Year has aged very gracefully; his winning smile and charismatic personality ever crush-worthy.

Their fifth decade rocking the planet has been marked by many other milestones: The release of  a four-part Hulu documentary, "Thank you, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story"; Bon Jovi's 16th studio album Forever, and fan hopes for the return of original guitarist Richie Sambora who left unexpectedly in 2013. Despite all of these positive notes, there is an ominous cloud hanging over the group as their singer had to undergo vocal surgery following disappointing, consistently off-key performances on the group's 2022 U.S. tour. Even afterward, he remains unsure whether he’ll be able to tour again. But Bon Jovi remains popular and with Sambora expressing interest in a reunion, it's plausible that we could see them back on stage again somehow.

Jon Bon Jovi has also had quite a multifaceted career spun off of his success in music, as shown by the following collection of fascinating facts.

Jon Bon Jovi Sung With Bruce Springsteen When He Was 17

By the time he was in high school, Jon Bongiovi (his original, pre-fame last name) was already fronting his first serious group. The Atlantic City Expressway was a 10-piece with a horn section that performed well-known tunes from Jersey acts like Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

They regularly played The Fast Lane, and one night Bruce Springsteen was in the audience. To Bon Jovi’s surprise, The Boss jumped onstage to join them. The two later became good friends — during his MusiCares performance, Bon Jovi introduced Springsteen as "my mentor, my friend, my brother, my hero."

Although "Runaway" was the debut single and lone Top 40 hit from Bon Jovi's first two albums, it was recorded as a professional demo back in 1982. 

Bon Jovi got a gig as a gopher at Power Station, the famed studio co-owned by his second cousin Tony Bongiovi where artists like the Rolling Stones, Diana Ross, and David Bowie recorded. (He watched even watched Bowie and Freddie Mercury record the vocals for "Under Pressure.")

The future rockstar cut "Runaway" (which was co-written mainly by George Karak) and other demos with session musicians — his friend, guitarist Aldo Nova, Rick Springfield/John Waite guitarist Tim Pierce, Springsteen keyboardist Roy Bittan, bassist Hugh McDonald (a future Bon Jovi member), and Scandal drummer Frankie LaRocca. The song first appeared on a WAPP compilation under his name, but then it was placed on Bon Jovi’s debut album. When the video for "Runway" was created nearly two years later, members of Bon Jovi were miming to other people’s performances. 

Although it is a classic, original guitarist Richie Sambora hates it and never wants to play it again.

He Eloped With His High School Sweetheart In April 1989

During the band’s world tour in support of New Jersey, Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley spontaneously eloped in a quickie wedding in Vegas. His bandmates and management were shocked to find this out; the latter probably feared that his ineligible bachelor status would harm their popularity with their ardent female fans. But it simply played more into his more wholesome image that differed from other hard rockers of the time. 

In May 2024, Bon Jovi’s son Jake secretly married "Stranger Things" actor Millie Bobby Brown. It was like history repeating itself, except this time family was involved.

Listen: Revisit Jon Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits & Deep Cuts Ahead Of MusiCares' Person Of The Year 2024 Gala

Back in the ‘80s, parents often didn’t like their kids’ music. However, Bon Jovi’s parents completely supported his. Mother Carol Bongiovi often chaperoned his early days when he was an underaged kid playing local clubs and bars in New Jersey. Father Jon Sr. was the group’s hair stylist until their third album, Slippery When Wet. He created his son's signature mane. 

Jon’s brother Matthew started as a production assistant in the band’s organization, then worked for their management before becoming his brother’s head of security and now his tour manager. His other brother Anthony became the director of a few Bon Jovi concert films and promo clips. He’s also directed concert films for Slayer and the Goo Goo Dolls.

After writing songs for the Golden Globe-winning "Young Guns II soundtrack (released as the solo album Blaze Of Glory) and getting a cameo in the Western’s opening, Bon Jovi was bitten by the acting bug. He studied with acclaimed acting coach Harold Guskin in the early ‘90s, then appeared as the romantic interest of Elizabeth Perkins in 1995's Moonlight and Valentino.

In other movies, Bon Jovi played a bartender who’s a recovering alcoholic (Little City), an ex-con turning over a new leaf (Row Your Boat), a failed father figure (Pay It Forward), a suburban dad and pot smoker (Homegrown), and a Navy Lieutenant in WWII (U-571). The band’s revival in 2000 slowed his acting aspirations, but he appeared for 10 episodes of "Ally McBeal," playing her love interest in 2002. 

Elsewhere on the silver screen, the singer has also portrayed a vampire hunter (Vampiros: Los Muertos), a duplicitous professor (Cry Wolf), the owner of a women’s hockey team (Pucked), and a rock star willing to cancel a tour for the woman he loves (New Year’s Eve). He hasn’t acted since 2011, but who knows when he might make a guest appearance?

Jon Bon Jovi Once Co-Owned A Football Team

In 2004, Bon Jovi became one of the co-founders and co-majority owner of the Philadelphia Soul, which were part of the Arena Football League (AFL). (Sambora was a minority shareholder.) The team name emerged in a satirical scene from "It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia" during which Danny DeVito’s character tries to buy the team for a paltry sum and twice butchers the singer’s name.

Jon stuck with the team until 2009, a year after they won Arena Bowl XXII, defeating the San Jose SaberCats. He then set his eyes on a bigger prize, the Buffalo Bills, aligning himself with a group of Toronto investors in 2011. One of his biggest competitors? Donald Trump, who ran a smear campaign alleging that the famed singer would move the team to Toronto. 

In the end, neither man purchased the team as they were outbid by Terry and Kim Pegula, who still own the Bills today.

Having cranked out massive hits with songwriter Desmond Child, Bon Jovi and Sambora decided to write or co-write songs for and with other artists. 

In 1987, they co-wrote and produced the Top 20 hit "We All Sleep Alone" with Child for Cher, and also co-wrote the Top 40 hit "Notorious" with members of Loverboy. In 1989, the duo paired up again Loverboy guitarist Paul Dean for his solo rocker "Under The Gun" and bequeathed the New Jersey outtake "Does Anybody Really Fall in Love Anymore?" (co-written with Child and Diane Warren) to Cher. 

The Bon Jovi/Sambora song "Peace In Our Time" was recorded by Russian rockers Gorky Park. In 1990, Paul Young snagged the New Jersey leftover "Now and Forever," while the duo penned "If You Were in My Shoes" with Young, though neither song was released. In 2009, Bon Jovi and Sambora were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for their contributions to music.

Jon Bon Jovi Once Ran His Own Record Label

For a brief time in 1991, he ran his own record label, Jambco, which was distributed through Bon Jovi’s label PolyGram Records. The only two artists he signed were Aldo Nova and Billy Falcon, a veteran singer/songwriter who became Bon Jovi's songwriting partner in the 2000s. Neither of their albums (Aldo Nova’s Blood On The Bricks and Billy Falcon’s Pretty Blue World) were big sellers, and the label folded quickly when they began losing money.

Still, the experience gave Bon Jovi the chance to learn about the music business. That experience helped after he fired original manager Doc McGhee in 1991 and took over his band’s managerial reins until 2015.

Bon Jovi's Vocal Issues Aren't New

Although Jon Bon Jovi's vocal problems have become a major issue recently, they stem back to the late 1980s. It's doubtful as to whether Jon had proper vocal training for a rock band at the start. 

The group did 15-month tours to support both the Slippery When Wet and New Jersey albums. Near the end of the grueling Slippery tour, Bon Jovi was getting steroid injections because his voice was suffering.

While his voice held up into the 2000s, it has become apparent over the last decade that his singing is rougher than it used to be. As shown in the Hulu new documentary, the singer has been struggling to maintain his voice. It’s natural for older rock singers to lose some range — it’s been very rare to hear him sing any of the high notes in "Livin’ On A Prayer" over the last 20 years — but he admitshe is unsure whether he can ever tour again, even with recent surgery.

Back in the 1980s, the upbeat Bon Jovi made it clear that they were not going to be a toned-down political band. But in the ‘90s, he and the band toned down their look, evolved their sound, and offered a more mature outlook on life. 

Reflecting this evolved viewpoint,  the band started an annual tradition of playing a December concert in New Jersey to raise money for various charitable causes; the concert series began in 1991 and continued with the band or Jon solo through at least 2015. The group have played various charitable concert events over the years including the Twin Towers Relief Benefit, Live 8 in Philadelphia, and The Concert For Sandy Relief. 

By the late 2000s, Jon and Dorothea founded the JBJ Soul Kitchen to serve meals at lower costs to people who cannot afford them. COVID-19 related food shortages led the couple to found  the JBJ Soul Kitchen Food Bank. Their JBJ Soul Foundation supports affordable housing and has rebuilt and refurbished homes through organizations like Project H.O.M.E., Habitat For Humanity, and Rebuilding Together.

While he may be a superstar, Jon Bon Jovi still believes in helping others. For his considerable efforts, he was honored as the 2024 MusiCares Person Of The Year during 2024 GRAMMY Week.

Listen: Revisit Jon Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits & Deep Cuts Ahead Of MusiCares' Person Of The Year 2024 Gala

Bruce Springsteen himself might not be particularly enthusiastic about his seventh studio effort, Born In The U.S.A. ("a group of songs about which I've always had some ambivalence"). But for the record buyers of 1984 – and indeed much of the decade thereafter – it was a towering achievement in combining classic and contemporary American rock.  

Born In The U.S.A. was co-produced with Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, and E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt, and represented a complete divergence from his previous release, the acoustic affair Nebraska. Audiences didn't seem to mind the change in tone: The 12-track LP spent seven weeks atop the Billboard 200 and sold more than 17 million copies in America alone. 

It also equaled the record set by Michael Jackson's Thriller by spawning seven consecutive U.S. Top 10 hits, including the oft-misunderstood title track, "I'm On Fire," and his highest-charting, "Dancing in the Dark." (The latter netted The Boss his first GRAMMY Award, for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male.) Born's themes of working-class life in the Ronald Reagan era struck a chord with homegrown audiences, albeit occasionally for unintended reasons, and picked up a coveted Album Of The Year nod at the 1985 GRAMMYs. 

But there's more to Born In The U.S.A.'s story than blockbuster sales and critical acclaim. It also changed the course of rock music in several ways, whether reigniting America's love of the genre, proving that synths and guitars could work together in perfect harmony, or simply popularizing a new way to hear it. Ahead of its 40th anniversary, here's a look at why the record fully deserves its status as an all-time great.   

It Revolutionized The Sound Of Heartland Rock

Already hailed as a progenitor of the blue-collar, rootsy sound known as heartland rock, Springsteen once again proved to be something of a revolutionary when he added synths into the mix. Born In The U.S.A. continually puts pianist Roy Bittan's skills to great use — whether he's echoing the whistle that haunts the narrator of "Downbound Train," giving "I'm On Fire" its ethereal sheen, or imbuing "Dancing In The Dark" with a glowing warmth.   

Born In The U.S.A. helped codify synths as a key component of the decade's rock sound. Within a few years, most of The Boss' peers had enjoyed synth-based success: Don Henley with Building the Perfect Beast, Tom Petty with Southern Accents, as well as Robbie Robertson's self-titled debut. Even The Boss' hero, Bob Dylan, went electric again on Empire Burlesque. And you can hear its modern-day influence in the likes of the Killers, Kurt Vile, and, most notably, proud Springsteen acolytes The War on Drugs.   

It Bid Farewell To Rock's Most Iconic Backing Band  

With their uncanny ability to capture and expand upon his musical vision, The E Street Band have been as integral to Springsteen's success as The Boss himself. The likes of bassist Garry Tallent, saxophonist Clarence Clemons, and drummer Max Weinberg were responsible for the Wall of Sound that enveloped 1975 breakthrough Born to Run, while 1980's The River was a concerted attempt to replicate their prowess on the stage in the studio.   

But while they provided occasional backing on 1987 follow-up Tunnel of Love, Born In The U.S.A. was the last time Springsteen fully utilized their talents until 2002's return-to-form The Rising. It also proved to be a proper farewell to Van Zandt, who left the set-up halfway through recording to pursue a solo career. The constant whoops and cheers, however, suggests that all parties were determined to end things on a celebratory note.   

It Turned Springsteen Into An MTV Icon  

Springsteen had only previously released one music video, and he didn't even make an appearance, with 1982's "Atlantic City" consisting solely of austere images of the titular location. But keen to show off the muscular physique he'd developed during the following two years, The Boss made five videos for Born In The U.S.A., and bagged some impressive names to help him land that all-important MTV play.  

Scarface director Brian De Palma helmed its most famous, the "Dancing in the Dark" promo in which Springsteen plucked a then-unknown Courteney Cox from the crowd. Indie favorite John Sayles pulled triple duty, directing the performance-based video for the title track and developing the narrative treatments for "I'm On Fire" (Springsteen plays car mechanic tempted by affair with married customer) and "Glory Days" (Springsteen bonds with son via baseball). Boasting footage from the Born In The U.S.A. tour, "My Hometown" rounded off the whole audio-visual campaign which was twice recognized at the VMAs.

It Kickstarted A CD Revolution

Although compact discs had been around for several years, Born In The U.S.A. was — fittingly, considering its title and blue collar themes — the first to be manufactured in America. Within just a few years, the homegrown CD market had skyrocketed from virtually zero to more than $930 million. And with at least 17 million copies sold domestically overall, it seems reasonable to suggest that Springsteen's seventh LP was responsible for a significant percentage.   

No doubt that its iconic front cover — shot by celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz — helped the album stand in record stores. Shot from behind with Springsteen clad in denim, posing in front of the Stars and Stripes, Born In The U.S.A. provided audiences with one of the decade's most recognizable images. Explaining the creative decision to ignore his Hollywood action hero looks, The Boss told Rolling Stone, "The picture of my ass looked better than the picture of my face."  

It Spawned A Game-Changing Tour  

If you need any proof of how stratospheric Born In The U.S.A. sent Springsteen's career, just look at its accompanying tour. With 156 dates across North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia, the tour raked in approximately $90 million. (It remained the decade's highest-grossing rock tour until Pink Floyd's A Momentary Lapse of Reason concluded four years later.)  

Springsteen's success also appeared to convince David Bowie and Tina Turner that solo artists could handle a stadium crowd as well as any band.   

The Born In The U.S.A. trek was monumental for several other reasons: it was the first to feature new E Street Band member Nils Lofgren and Springsteen's future wife Patti Scialfa. It established his long-running love affair with the now-demolished Giants Stadium, a New Jersey venue returned to 23 times. The tour formed more than half of Springsteen's Live: 1975-85 album that topped the Billboard 200 for four weeks in 1986. Until Garth Brooks' Double Live 12 years later, Live: 1975-85 the highest-selling live album ever.  

It Celebrated Male Friendship  

Springsteen has never been afraid to be vulnerable when it comes to an area most rock musicians seem afraid to address: the importance of male friendship. "Ghosts," for example, is a heartfelt dedication to all the bandmates he'd lost over the years, while "This Hard Land" is a tale of brotherhood inspired by his love of western maestro John Ford. But it was on Born In The U.S.A. where The Boss first showed that songs about entirely platonic love can be as emotively powerful as the more romantic side.   

Indeed, the ambiguous gender on "Bobby Jean" has led many to believe the concert staple is a testament to his relationship with Van Zandt. And "No Surrender" appears to revel in the camaraderie they shared back in their younger days. Foo Fighters ("The Glass"), the Walkmen ("Heaven"), and Death Cab for Cutie ("Wheat Like Waves") have all since followed Springsteen's lead by opening up about their all-male bonds.   

It Ushered In A Wave of Presidential Appropriation  

It's not something that Springsteen will be shouting from the rooftops about. But Born In The U.S.A. — specifically its famously misunderstood title track — essentially ushered in the trend of presidential candidates co-opting chart hits regardless of the artist's political leanings. Indeed, long before the likes of George W. Bush vs. Sting, Sarah Palin vs. Gretchen Peters, and Donald Trump vs. Neil Young and John Fogerty (among many others), The Boss took umbrage with Ronald Reagan's plans to use "Born In The USA" for his 1984 reelection campaign.  

Despite Springsteen's flat-out refusal, he was still celebrated by Reagan in a stump speech, declaring that America's future "rests in the message of hope in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen." And both Pat Buchanan and Bob Dole, also seemingly mistaking its rally cry against the treatment of Vietnam War veterans for a patriotic anthem, cheekily used the track before its writer got wind and shut them down.   

It Revived America's Love Of American Rock  

While Eagles' Hotel California, Fleetwood Mac's Rumors, and Boston's self-titled debut had all racked up colossal sales in the '70s, Springsteen's commercial opus was the first guitar-oriented U.S. release to achieve similar numbers in the '80s. By the end of the decade, Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction and Journey's Greatest Hits were also approaching the 20 million mark, while Bryan Adams' Reckless, Van Halen's 5150, and Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet were just a few of the domestic rock efforts that immediately followed in its chart-topping footsteps.  

And while the use of synths brought Springsteen's sound into the '80s, The Boss didn't forget about his earthier roots. Born In The U.S.A. is also steeped in the classic sounds of American rock, from the honky tonk leanings of "Darlington County" and rockabilly of "Workin' On The Highway" to the front porch folk of "My Hometown." Its lyrical content might not always have been patriotic, but its accompanying music was as American as apple pie.   

Songbook: How Bruce Springsteen's Portraits Of America Became Sounds Of Hope During Confusing Times