Bruce surprised everyone last Saturday with two appearances in Asbury Park. In the morning he showed up at a panel discussion at the Atonement Lutheran Church. He came to listen to a panel discussion about Asbury Park’s West Side music scene. Panelists included singer Nicky Addeo, Bobby Thomas (The Vibranaires), Southside Johnny Lyon and author Daniel Wolff (4th of July, Asbury Park: A History of the Promised Land). After a little while Bruce was invited to join the panel, which he did, as you can see in these videos below:
Later at night he showed up again, this time at the Wonder Bar, to attend the show billed as «Nicky Addeo and Friends Celebrate the Music of Asbury Park’s West Side». The band included Ed Manion on sax, Billy Ryan on guitar and Vinni Lopez on drums. After a few cocktails Bruce joined the stage for a few songs, including «Gloria», «Crying in the Chappel» and «Stand by Me». His first words onstage: “Before there was an E Street Band or an Asbury Jukes, there was the music of the West Side… Tonight we’re here to celebrate that history”.
A little later Bruce joined the band again for their second set of the night, and sang and played on a slowed-down «CC Rider», plus the doo-wop «What’s Your Name?» and a rocking ending with Chuck Berry’s «Johnny B. Goode».