By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – Although he has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide, Jon Bon Jovi appeared humbled as a plaque in his honor was unveiled at the debut of the Count Basie Center for the Arts Walk of Fame.
Bon Jovi’s plaque sits in the sidewalk by the theater’s main entrance on Monmouth Street, near the other plaque unveiled that day – one for the venue’s namesake, William “Count” Basie. Bon Jovi called Basie “the original Monmouth County rock star.”
The event was the inaugural induction ceremony to honor New Jersey artists who have not only performed at the center but also made an indelible impact on the culture. State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-11) introduced Bon Jovi, talking not only about his musical accomplishments but also his philanthropic endeavors.
“I’m honored to be with all of you today to say a few words about an artist who is one of the most famous musicians in the world yet has never forgotten where he came from,” said Gopal. “Jon’s story is the kind we love to tell – a kid from New Jersey with a dream, a guitar and a determination to share his music with the world. What so many of us love most about Jon’s story is that he always, always comes back home and back to the Count Basie Center. For years in the 1990s, no matter how much touring Bon Jovi did, no matter how many millions of fans they entertained, city after city, they would always return to the Basie Center for their legendary Christmas shows.”
In addition to those shows, Bon Jovi’s performances at the HOPE concerts raised more than $3 million to serve some of the area’s most critical needs. In 2011, he and his wife Dorothea launched JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit community kitchen where diners in need can receive a nutritious meal and pay for it through volunteer service.
“Jon has shown us how music can fill stadiums and how compassion can fill hearts,” said Gopal.
Bon Jovi took to the mic and spoke briefly about receiving this honor.
“I really do appreciate you inducting me along with the great Count Basie,” Bon Jovi said.
“For as long as I can remember, the Count Basie Theater was at the center of our musical community. Long before Dorothea conceptualized the Soul Kitchen, the band and I would perform here countless times for our annual Christmas shows, which, until that introduction, I thought had been long forgotten. They were centered around food insecurity and toy drives for those in the community who were going to do with- out. This theater was also the place where community came together. There are so many names who are just as deserving today. Thank you very much for this honor.”
Raised in Sayreville, just a few miles north on the Garden State Parkway, John Francis Bongiovi Jr., known professionally at Jon Bon Jovi, rose to international fame as the frontman of his namesake band. Beyond his chart-topping music, he has consistently given back to the community.
The Legacy of Count Basie
“Jon Bon Jovi has had a long and meaningful relationship with the Basie Center, standing with us through performances, partnerships and moments that brought this community together,” said Adam Philipson, president and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts. “It’s fitting that we honor him alongside William ‘Count’ Basie, who is not only our namesake, but also a giant of American music whose artistry shaped generations.”
Jeremy Grunin, chair of the Basie Center Board of Trustees, said the Walk of Fame is a permanent way to honor the artists who have left their mark on the venue and the world while creating a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
“By starting with Count Basie and Jon Bon Jovi, we are setting a standard that reminds us all of the extraordinary talent and impact that has come through the Basie Center doors, and will continue to, for the next hundred years and beyond,” he said.
Born in Red Bank in 1904, Basie became one of the most influential figures in jazz, leading an orchestra whose music defined an era. A trailblazer who created his own unique swing sound, Basie cemented his place as one of America’s greatest bandleaders. Drummer and bandleader T.S. Monk, the son of jazz great Thelonious Monk, unveiled Count Basie’s plaque.
“When you talk about William ‘Count’ Basie, you’re not just talking about a guy who played the piano,” said Monk. “You’re talking about a sound. You’re talking about a feeling. You’re talking about a leader. You’re talking about a groove that started right here in Red Bank, New Jersey, and went on to circle the globe. His music didn’t ust sit on the stage. It jumped off the stage. It made people move. It made the world smile. It broke barriers. It lifted spirits in really hard times like the Great Depression and World War II. Future generations walking down this street looking at the stone will know that greatness can come from anywhere on this continent, and a kid from this corner of New Jersey grew up to make the whole world dance.”
Walk of Fame
“Today is a very exciting day,” said Philipson. “For nearly 100 years, this venue has been a place where people gather and stories are told. It’s a place where the arts come alive, talent is born and magic happens. Our Walk of Fame helps us memorialize some of that magic. Years from now, our children’s children will look at the names carved in these stones and be reminded of the artists who not only helped shape the Basie Center; they helped shape our culture.”
Red Bank Mayor Billy Portman said he couldn’t imagine a more fitting spot for a Walk of Fame than in front of the place that has been “the cultural heartbeat of Red Bank for nearly a century.”
“This is the place where creativity, culture and community come together and a place where talent can touch the world,” he said. “Today’s inductees are two shining examples – William ‘Count’ Basie, born here in Red Bank, brought this town’s rhythm to every corner of the globe, and Jon Bon Jovi, who continues to share the sound of New Jersey with millions of fans around the world. Their music, of course, is different; their eras are very different. But what they share is grit, talent and the spirit of where they came from. This Walk of Fame celebrates that spirit; it will draw visitors, honor our history and remind every person who walks these streets that true greatness begins right here at home.”
The introduction of the Walk of Fame kicks off the Basie Center’s 16-month-long Centennial Celebration, which commemorates the venue’s impact on arts, culture and community over the last 100 years.
“This venue turns 100 years old in November 2026, so it’s the perfect time to begin a new tradition with the Walk of Fame,” said Grunin. “These keystones will honor the New Jersey artists who have performed on this historic stage, who have made an indelible impact on culture and whose contributions reflect the enduring power of the arts. The names on the sidewalk ensure we remember them always and, even as we continue to add more, we will leave room for the legends of the next century.”
The article originally appeared in the October 2 – October 8, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
