Together and with The Power of We, we can start a revolution. One Soul at a time... ~Jon Bon Jovi *** There's a Story on every street corner, my friend. All you have to do is open your eyes... ~Richie Sambora

And the Award Goes to...

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Hundreds turn out as Bon Jovi receives Marian Anderson Award
Jon Bon Jovi places his hands over his heart after receiving the Marian Anderson Award on Nov. 18, 2014. ( CHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer )


Hundreds feted New Jersey-born rock star and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi at a Kimmel Center gala Tuesday night, where he accepted the Marian Anderson Award for his music and charity work.

The award is given to entertainers who have "contributed to our society in a singular manner," event organizers said. They highlighted Bon Jovi's music and commitment to charity, including his work with programs in the Philadelphia area and beyond.

Bon Jovi took the stage to a standing ovation about 10:30. "I'm deeply humbled to accept this award," he said, "and I do so fully aware of the rich and the powerful legacy of this honor."

The award is named for the late African American contralto and South Philadelphia High School graduate, who was celebrated as a singer of classical music and spirituals and who, when she encountered racial intolerance, gracefully fought for social justice.

Saying he never had to face the struggles Anderson endured, Bon Jovi noted: "I was, in fact, born in suburban New Jersey in 1962."  He exhorted the crowd: "Let us draw inspiration from those that have come before us to do the work we are called to do."

Earlier, a host of celebrities and politicians sang Bon Jovi's praises. The comedian Wanda Sykes said Bon Jovi excels at everything he does: "Music, acting, good hair."

She drew laughs with a reference to Philadelphia's marijuana-decriminalization law: "Thanks to Mayor Nutter, we're all carrying a little bit of weed around with us now."

Later in the evening, Nutter responded: "There's nothing like being called out by Wanda Sykes."

He hailed Bon Jovi as "really just a wonderful man" and a "great artist."

An early no-show was Sen. Cory A. Booker (D., N.J.), a former Newark mayor. "If he was Mayor Booker, he would have been here," Sykes joked.

Booker arrived about 10. Explaining his lateness, he quipped: "I had to save Wanda from a fire backstage."

In a serious vein, Booker said Marian Anderson's groundbreaking 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial was a seminal moment in American history.

Of Bon Jovi, Booker said: "It is a true artist who has courage and creativity in their passion."

Sister Mary Scullion of Philadelphia's Project HOME said Bon Jovi "calls us to live out the American dream - to work for what our country can and should be."

Bon Jovi, who rose to prominence with his band, Bon Jovi, in the 1980s, has become known in recent years for his charity work. He chairs the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which deals with hunger and homelessness, and has partnered with Project HOME.

Proceeds from Tuesday's gala will support the Young Artist Study Grant Program, which helps high school artists and musicians in financial need. One recipient, violinist Sean Bennett, performed at the gala.







0 comments:

Post a Comment

Queenie would love to know who's following along. Comments are both encouraged and appreciated!

Queenie's Loyal Subjects

About Me

My photo
I am and always have been a Bon Jovi fan. This blog is just my obsession taken a step further, my imagination in high gear if you will. I love to read and decided to see what would happen when I took that love of the written word and ramped it up a bit.

You Can Go Home

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation

The Traveling Guitar

What Q Has to Say

30th Anniversary Access Hollywood Advil Aftermath of the Lowdown Albums AMAs American Idol Articles Auctions Avon Awards Bamboozle Festival Because We Can Because We Can - the Tour Benefit Concert Biker Bash Billboard bits and bobs Bon Jovi Books Born to Be My Baby Bruce Springsteen Burning Bridges Calvin and Hobbes Campaign Can Do Awards Cari Quinn Characters Unite Christmas CNN Comics Concerts Contests Danny Gokey Daughtry David Bergman David Bryan Digital Download Disaster Aid Discography Diving Into Hampton Water Do What You Can DVDs DVR Alerts Extra Facebook Fan Club favorites Fictionistas Football Forbes Fun Stuff Fundraisers Golden Globes Golf Greatest Hits gulf shores Hamptons Happy Now Hard Rock Calling Holidays Hugh McDonald Hurricane Sandy In Memoriam Inside The Actor's Studio Interviews Jazz Fest Jennifer Nettles Jon Bon Jovi Jon Bon Jovi and Friends Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation Keep The Faith Kings of Suburbia Letterman London Love's The Only Rule Madison Square Garden Master Class MDA Telethon Memphis Merchandise Merry Christmas Midnight Mission Miscellaneous Mohegan Sun Montreal Movies MTV Awards Music New Jersey New Meadowlands Stadium New Years Eve News No Apologies NY Giants O2 Orianthi Out and About People Magazine Philadelphia Soul Philanthropy Pictures President Obama Promo Q Quebec quickie Rants Real Estate Rehab Reviews Richie Sambora Rock and Roll HOF Rock Band 3 Rock in Rio Rock of Ages rock star baby Rockin' Rio Royal Beach RSO Slippery When Wet SoHo Penthouse Soraia Soul Kitchen St. Bart's Story Updates Streaming Stumping Superman Tonight Superstorm Sandy TaraLeigh Taryn Elliott TDB Television The Band The Circle The Circle Tour The Grammys The Grove The Today Show The Tony's This Ain't A Love Song This House is Not For Sale This is Our House Throwback Thursday Tickets Tico Torres Tour Dates Toxic Avenger Tribeca Film Festival Twilight Twilight Saga Valentine's Day VH1 Videos Washington DC wayback wednesday We Weren't Born to Follow Webcast What About Now What Do You Got When We Were Beautiful White House Council White Trash Beautiful Wine WTC Anniversary WTF You Can Go Home

  © Blogger template Brownium by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP