At the inaugural American Music Honors award show – a fundraising event for the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music – on Saturday night, it was announced that Bruce Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa, could not be in attendance after testing positive for Covid-19 the day prior.

The news came after the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer played a three-hour show at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Friday. After taking a shot with a fan to celebrate her 21st birthday, Springsteen ended the concert with an acoustic version of “I’ll See You in My Dreams”, which served as a tribute to his nephew who reportedly died at the age of 53 on the same day.

“It broke our hearts around 6 a.m. this morning when I got a call that two of the most important people who were supposed to be here, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, unfortunately came down with Covid,” said Bob Santelli, the Archives’ executive director.

However, the night’s host, comedian Jon Stewart, told the crowd not to worry and joked, “They’re alive. Don’t overreact. You can still see them in concert. They’re home sitting by the fire eating French onion soup.”

Springsteen was set to receive a proclamation from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy at the event, declaring September 23rd, the artist’s birthday, “Bruce Springsteen Day”. This year Springsteen, popularly known as the Boss, will turn 74.

“Bruce Springsteen is one of the most iconic and influential musicians – and New Jerseyans – of all time,” Murphy said. “It is important we recognise 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, including making … a repository that will inspire tomorrow’s songwriters and singers.”

Bruce Springsteen is one of the most iconic and influential musicians – and New Jerseyans – of all time, period.

And so, I am both honored and proud to announce @springsteen's birthday, Sept. 23, will officially be known as Bruce Springsteen Day in the Garden State. pic.twitter.com/Ux5B54jdlB

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 16, 2023

Along with honouring the “Born To Run” singer’s six-decade-spanning career, the award show, which was held at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ, was a celebration of rock and soul music. Although Springsteen was not in attendance, he was able to tape two videos presenting awards – one to soul legend Darlene Love and another to E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt for their contributions to music.

Springsteen praised the Grammy-winning Love, known for hits like ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’, calling her one of the greatest ‘60 singers of all time. He then honoured his friend and collaborator Van Zandt for his music and initiatives, such as the 1985 Artists United Against Apartheid event that he helped organise to protest apartheid in South Africa.

In addition, E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent honoured Steve Earle, who performed his 2009 hit ‘Copperhead Road’ after accepting his award. John Lyon, who often fronts his band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, also honoured Sam Moore of the R&B duo Sam & Dave.

Referencing Springsteen’s Covid-19 diagnosis once more, Stewart joked that the rock legend “with Covid looks better than me” and that he looked “eerily healthy”.

Last month Springsteen announced that dates on his 2023 tour, his first major tour in six years, would be postponed after several E Street Band members tested positive for Covid-19. The rock star released his 21st studio album, Only the Strong Survive, in November 2022 via Columbia Records.

“Truth be told, I know my place in the hierarchy of New Jersey,” Governor Murphy added. “After all, I may be the 56th individual to be called ‘governor’, but there will ever only be just one Boss.”