New Jersey is celebrating Bruce Springsteen Day today, in honor of the rock icon's 75th birthday. Last year, Governor Phil Murphy officially declared September 23rd as a day to celebrate the Garden State rock icon, making it an annual event. The proclamation was presented at the American Music Honors, held at the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.
Born in 1949, Springsteen has become one of the most recognizable, iconic, and influential musicians of all time. His music has resonated with millions of fans worldwide, and his contributions to the music industry have been significant. Governor Murphy said in a statement, “Bruce Springsteen is one of the most recognizable, iconic and influential musicians – and New Jerseyans – of all time. It is important that we recognize Bruce for all he has done and will continue to do, from giving us the gift of his music to lending his time to the causes close to his heart."
The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, located within Monmouth University, preserves the legacy of Bruce Springsteen and celebrates the history of American music and its diversity of artists and genres. The center held the inaugural American Music Honors in 2023, with honorees including E Street Band member Stevie Van Zandt, legendary soul artist Sam Moore, longtime pop/soul singer Darlene Love, and country/blues/rock singer-songwriter and social commentator Steve Earle.