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Jon Stewart hosted the event, which was held on campus in Pollak Theatre. Springsteen, who was precluded from attending because of a positive COVID-19 test, sent heartfelt video tributes inducting Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, political activist, music educator, and best-selling author Steven Van Zandt and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and longtime pop/soul singer Darlene Love. Southside Johnny Lyon inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and legendary soul artist Sam Moore of the ’60s soul duo Sam & Dave, and E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent inducted country/blues/rock singer-songwriter and social commentator Steve Earle.

“American Music Honors aims to celebrate those artists who have demonstrated artistic excellence, creative integrity, and a longstanding commitment to the value of music in our national consciousness,” said Robert Santelli ’73, ’14HN, executive director of the Archives. “All of our inaugural honorees are worthy of acknowledgment and appreciation.”

The evening featured musical performances by each of the honorees backed by the Disciples of Soul, which served as the house band. Gov. Phil Murphy was also on hand to officially proclaim September 23 as Bruce Springsteen Day in New Jersey.

The event raised more than $600,000 for the Archives, which preserves and promotes the legacy of Springsteen and American music and supports music education programs across the country.

Monmouth University President Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D., who serves as chair of the Archives’ Board of Directors, said the event highlights the important role the Archives play in recognizing, preserving, and promoting the enduring story of American music.

“This event showcases the ‘American Music’ part of our name and mission,” Leahy said. “By honoring American music greats such as those named today, and by creating dynamic education and public programs along with major museum exhibitions, we make valuable contributions to the understanding and importance of American music in our lives.”

Following the live event, NJ PBS aired Soundcheck: American Music Honors, a one-hour special that provided a behind-the-scenes look at the ceremony and included performances by and interviews with the honorees.

On Saturday, Jan. 7, the Archives celebrated the release of Springsteen’s debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., with the event “The 50th Anniversary: Greetings from Asbury, Park, N.J.” The daylong symposium included panel discussions, interviews, a book signing, and a special performance of the songs on the album by Jersey Shore musicians.

Current and former E Street Band members Garry Tallent, David Sancious, and Vini Lopez and former Springsteen manager Mike Appel were on hand for the event, which featured discussions of Springsteen’s early ’70s songwriting style and the Jersey Shore music scene in 1972, the year Greetings was recorded. The day was also highlighted by the premiere of a mini-documentary on the making of Greetings that included an exclusive interview with Springsteen.

The symposium was the first in a series of 50th anniversary events that will bring renewed attention to Springsteen’s early-career accomplishments. Most recently, a symposium dedicated to the singer’s second album, The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, took place on campus in October.

On Dec. 1, 2022, the Archives hosted a conversation and book signing featuring Santelli and Nora Guthrie, the daughter of American folk musician and singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie.

The event centered on Woody Guthrie: Songs and Art, Words and Wisdom, a collection of Woody’s writings and artwork. The book was assembled by Nora, an author, curator, and record producer, in collaboration with Santelli, who has written more than a dozen books on American music. The book includes essays from hip-hop legend Chuck D, presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, and Woody’s son Arlo, who himself is a well-known American folk musician.

The book, which was awarded the 2022 Deems Taylor Award/Virgil Thomson Book Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, was the inspiration for a recent exhibition hosted by the Morgan Library in New York called Woody Guthrie: People Are the Song. The exhibition was curated by Guthrie and Santelli.