LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Ahead of Sunday's Grammy Awards, rocker Jon Bon Jovi was honored Friday evening as the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year, recognizing his contributions to the music industry along with his extensive philanthropic work.
The Grammy-winning artist was honored at MusiCares' 33rd annual benefit gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center, hosted by comedian Jim Gaffigan.
MusiCares is a charitable arm of the Recording Academy that offers programs to support the health and welfare of people in the music industry, including financial grants, support resources and crisis relief efforts. The Person of the Year gala is the organization's major fundraising event.
The organization cited Bon Jovi's 2006 establishment of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation aimed at combating hunger, poverty and homelessness by providing food, housing and job-training programs.
"I'm truly humbled to be this year's MusiCares honoree," Bon Jovi said in a statement released by MusiCares before the event. "MusiCares' work with music professionals is vitally important in creating much needed support and wellness programs that cultivate a healthier and more vibrant community for us all.
"Philanthropic work has been a cornerstone of my life and has always run in tandem to my music career and achievements. Nearly two decades ago when I formed the JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchens, I saw firsthand and continue to see today the impact of charitable community-based work. I know this for sure: helping one's community is helping one's self."
Previous Person of the Year honorees include Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac and Dolly Parton.