Bruce Springsteen is headlining the 20th anniversary edition of Stand Up for Heroes on Monday, 9 November, at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York. The annual benefit supports injured veterans, military families and caregivers, and this year’s milestone edition is being presented by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the New York Comedy Festival.
Springsteen, 77, has become one of the event’s most recognisable supporters over the years, and his return to headline the 20th anniversary show underlines how central he has become to the cause. He will be joined by singer Alex Warren and The Resilient, a band made up of wounded US combat veterans, while the comedy lineup features Jon Stewart, Hasan Minhaj and Josh Johnson of The Daily Show.
Twenty years of Stand Up for Heroes
Stand Up for Heroes began in 2007, after ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff was seriously injured while reporting from Iraq the previous year. Created through a partnership involving Woodruff’s foundation and the New York Comedy Festival, the event combines comedy, music and philanthropy, and has raised more than $117 million since its inception, according to reports.
Over the years the benefit has attracted some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Jerry Seinfeld, Stephen Colbert, John Mulaney, Jim Gaffigan, Ricky Gervais and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Springsteen’s presence has become a hallmark of the night, with his performances for veterans and their families among the most talked-about moments in the event’s history.
A night of music, comedy and gratitude
This year’s show falls within the New York Comedy Festival’s run from 6 to 15 November, which brings more than 200 comedians to stages across the five boroughs. The 20th anniversary also marks nearly two decades since Woodruff’s injury in Iraq, a milestone the foundation has used to underline how long its work with veterans has continued. For Springsteen, the appearance is a reminder that his bond with veterans and military families goes far beyond a single song: it is a commitment he has renewed year after year. As the 20th anniversary crowd gathers at Lincoln Center, the Boss will once again use his music to honour those who served — and to raise money for those still living with the cost of that service.
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