Now in its third year, the event honored Morello, Fogerty, Joe Ely, Emmylou Harris and Smokey Robinson for their contributions to American music
Tom Morello, John Fogerty, Emmylou Harris, Joe Ely and Smokey Robinson were honored this past weekend at the third annual American Music Honors, held at Monmouth University in Long Branch, New Jersey and presented by the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.
Springsteen himself was in attendance and in great spirits, playing host, giving rousing and heartfelt induction speeches, and strapping on his Fender Telecaster to perform with most of the honorees throughout the evening.
The event recognizes artists for their contribution to American music and this year’s class encompassed a wide cross-section of musical styles: from Robinson’s silky smooth Motown pop sensibilities to Ely’s gritty Texas twang, Harris’ unmistakable golden voice, and Fogerty’s everyman lyrical and musical sensibilities.
But it was Morello’s jaw-dropping performance on Springsteen’s Woody Guthrie-inspired “The Ghost of Tom Joad” that left the sold-out crowd in awe.
Using his heavily-modified Arm the Homeless custom guitar, Morello channeled his personal rage at the current state of the country’s political climate, elevating the song to a higher level with an incendiary guitar solo that echoed Hendrix’s take on the “Star-Spangled Banner,” complete with DigiTech Whammy dive bombs, rapidly ascending Van Halen–inspired runs, and police car siren–like volume swells.
“That is called ‘playing the shit out of the guitar!’” newscaster Brian Williams, the evening’s event MC, said after Morello’s performance.
In addition to his role as lead guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, Morello also spent time in Springsteen’s E Street Band, touring with the band as a member from 2013 to 2014.