Five entertainment legends will be recognized as the 2025 American Music Honors recipients this spring. 

On Jan. 28, the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music unveiled the honorees of the third annual event. The party will take place April 26 at Monmouth University‘s Pollak Theatre in West Long Branch. 

This year’s event host will be journalist and veteran television news anchor Brian Williams. 

The 2025 American Music Honors recipients are: 

• Smokey Robinson 
  The artist, songwriter and producer was one of the architects of the 1960s Motown genre with classics such as “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown” and “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me.” 
• John Fogerty
  Singer, songwriter and frontman for Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fogerty’s hits include “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” 
• Emmylou Harris
  A country music legend who paved the way for many of today’s female artists, the 14-time Grammy winner’s hits include “Red Dirt Girl,” “Boulder to Birmingham” and “Beneath Still Waters.” 
• Tom Morello
  The guitarist, singer and songwriter – aka “The Nightwatchman” – rose to rock ‘n’ roll fame with groups such as Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave and even as an occasional member of The E Street Band. 
• Joe Ely
  The Archives described this West Texas legend as “one of the pioneers of progressive country and an early purveyor of what is now Americana.” 

“This year’s honorees represent a cross-section of American music,” Robert Santelli, founding executive director of the Springsteen Archives, said in a statement. “Rock, Americana, soul, and country are all represented by some of the most important artists from each of the genres.” 

Additional guests will include Stevie Van Zandt’s Disciples of Soul as the event’s house band, as well as award presenters Patti Scialfa, Nils Lofgren and The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen. 

“Monmouth University is extremely proud to host the third annual American Music Honors,” said Monmouth University President Patrick Leahy. “The program has become one of the most exciting music events in New Jersey.” 

Past American Music Honors recipients include the inaugural class of Steve Earle, Darlene Love, Sam Moore and Van Zandt. Last year, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, Dion DiMucci and Mavis Staples received honors. 

The Bruce Springsteen Archives houses the music and other artifacts of the Jersey-born rocker and E Street Band. The Center for American Music hosts exhibitions and other events to promote American music.

In October 2023, officials announced plans for a new $45 million, 30,000-square-foot campus building to house the Archives, the Center for American Music and exhibition galleries as well as a 230-seat, state-of-the-art theater.