Springsteen, 73, was born Sept. 23, 1949, in Long Branch. His birthday will be celebrated as “Bruce Springsteen Day” across New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a proclamation.
Murphy announced the holiday at the inaugural American Music Honors event, presented by the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music on Saturday at Monmouth University, the Asbury Park Press reported.
But Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa, were unable to attend the event because both had been diagnosed with COVID-19, Variety reported.
Bob Santelli, the Archives’ executive director, made the announcement hours after Springsteen ended the first leg of his 2023 tour with the E Street Band in Newark, according to the entertainment news outlet. It was Springsteen’s first concert in his home state in seven years.
The next part of the band’s tour begins on April 28 in Barcelona, Spain.
“There’s been 14 administrations in New Jersey since Springsteen started performing,” Murphy told the Press. “I can’t believe it’s taken this long.”
“Bruce Springsteen will forever be remembered as the voice of the Garden State, signaling to the world that New Jerseyans were born to run,” the proclamation states.
“I know my place in the hierarchy of New Jersey,” Murphy said at Saturday’s ceremony. “After all, I may be the 56th individual to be called ‘governor,’ but there will ever only be just one ‘Boss.’”
Through the years American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, UK, 18th November 1975. (Photo by John Minihan/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (John Minihan/Getty Images)
Through the years American rock singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen stands onstage, holding an electric guitar at his side during a concert, 1980s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Through the years Portrait of American rock singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen sitting in the driver's seat of a Cadillac convertible, circa 1987. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Through the years American rock singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen plays electric guitar on stage during a concert performance, 1980s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Through the years 10/27/96 Los Angeles, Ca. Bruce Springsteen gets a hug from Jesse Jackson at a rally opposing "prop 209" in front of the Federal building on Wilshire Blvd. (Stewart Cook/Getty Images)
Through the years Singer Bruce Springsteen presents an award to musician Steve Van Zandt at the Creative Coalition 2001 Spotlight Awards November 12, 2001 at Sotheby's in New York City. The benefit honored Harry Belafonte, Steven Van Zandt and Russell Simmons for their humanitarian work. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images) (Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
Through the years Musician Bruce Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa, attend a rehearsal for his new album "The Rising" at the Convention Hall July 25, 2002 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The album is scheduled to be released July 30, 2002. (Photo by June McKim/Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years Musician Bruce Springsteen performs during the 45th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden on February 23, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) (Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Through the years Patti Scialfa is joined on stage by her husband Bruce Springsteen during the Vote For Change concert at the Continental Airlines Arena October 13, 2004 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images) (Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
Through the years Musician Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform at the Bridgestone halftime show during Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Through the years Bruce Springsteen (L) and Danny DeVito perform together at the 3rd Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on May 2, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images) (Bobby Bank/Getty Images)
Through the years Singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen (L) sits on drummer Joffo Simmons drum kit as he performs during the 2012 Light of Day Concert Series "New Jersey" at the Paramount Theatre on January 14, 2012 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Through the years Bruce Springsteen performs at the 7th annual "Stand Up For Heroes" event at Madison Square Garden on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Through the years Bruce Springsteen performs at a sound check before speaking to the media during a press conference at Perth Arena on February 5, 2014 in Perth, Australia. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be touring Australia in 2014 beginning with Perth. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images) (Will Russell/Getty Images)
Through the years Bruce Springsteen performs onstage at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Through the years U.S. U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to musician Bruce Springsteen during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Through the years U.S. President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to popular music singer, songwriter and rock and roll legend Bruce Springsteen during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years (L-R) Evan Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Sam Springsteen, and Jessica Springsteen attend the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
) (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro)
Through the years Bruce Springsteen performs onstage during the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro)
Through the years Bruce Springsteen performs on stage at The New York Comedy Festival and The Bob Woodruff Foundation present the 12th Annual Stand Up For Heroes event at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Foundation) (Brian Ach/Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Fo)
Through the years Bruce Springsteen performs at Netflix FYSEE Opening Night "Springsteen On Broadway" at Raleigh Studios on May 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years Bruce Springsteen attends the "Western Stars" premiere during the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Through the years In this screengrab, Bruce Springsteen performs during the Celebrating America Primetime Special on January 20, 2021. The livestream event hosted by Tom Hanks features remarks by president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris and performances representing diverse American talent. (Photo by Handout/Biden Inaugural Committee via Getty Images ) (Handout/Biden Inaugural Committee via Ge)
Through the years In this screengrab, Bruce Springsteen performs during the Celebrating America Primetime Special on January 20, 2021. The livestream event hosted by Tom Hanks features remarks by president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris and performances representing diverse American talent. (Photo by Handout/Biden Inaugural Committee via Getty Images ) (Handout/Biden Inaugural Committee via Ge)