Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music Honor John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples and Dion DiMucci in New Jersey
variety.comMichele Amabile Angermiller Moments after being honored at the American Music Honors of the Bruce Springsteen Archives, John Mellencamp took a moment to talk about its namesake at Monmouth University’s Pollak Theater in West Long Branch on Wednesday night (April 24). “I know you all love him,” he said of Springsteen. “He put down a big footprint — him and [Bob] Dylan, for me.
And [Woody] Guthrie. And Bruce just kind of put it down and said, ‘There it is, punk. Fill my footprint.’ And that was inspiration for me, ’cause I could hear him, and I could hear Bob, and I could go, ‘God, these guys… maybe me, too.’ ” That big footprint is part of the ongoing story of American music, and Wednesday night’s ceremony celebrated musical legends part of that rich tapestry, including honorees Mavis Staples, Jackson Browne, Mellencamp and Dion DiMucci.
All four were introduced by fellow storytellers in music history: Springsteen, fellow E Street Band member Steve Van Zandt, Darlene Love, and Springsteen manager Jon Landau.
Former news anchor Brian Williams hosted the evening, with remarks by Governor Phil Murphy and music from the house band, Van Zandt’s Disciples of Soul, led by musical director Marc Ribler.
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