Springsteen sat in for the group's signature song, "My Generation", and joined in on the evening's finale of "Won't Get Fooled Again" alongside Billy Idol and Willie Nile. Earlier in the evening, Idol and Joan Jett each delivered two songs from The Who's catalogue.

Hosted by comedian Colin Quinn, the event saw guitarist Pete Townshend and Who manager Bill Curbishley honored for their support of the music industry charity, which helps provide members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation.

Springsteen delivered a tribute speech to Townshend as he was presented with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and commitment to helping other addicts with the addiction recovery process.

"I wouldn't be windmilling a Fender Telecaster if it weren't for Pete Townshend," said Springsteen, explaining his first concert experience was seeing The Who at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ in the mid-60s, adding, "Pete is the greatest rhythm guitarist of all time. He plays such incredible rhythm and he showed you don't have to play any lead. It's an amazing thing to behold, really. Pete managed to take the dirty business of rock & roll and somehow make it spiritual and turn it into a quest.