News

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».

Bruce Springsteen sent a letter to the editor of the Asbury Park Press yesterday, thanking them for the article on poverty published on March 27th and written by Michael Symons («As poverty rises, cuts target aid»). Read the article, and Springsteen’s letter.

Patti Scialfa wrote the song «Children’s Song» years ago, when his children were little. The song will now be released in the compilation album Every Mother Counts (Starcon), to benefit CARE. The CD will be released 4/12 thru Starbucks.

The interesting part is Bruce Springsteen’s contribution to the song. According to an article in Rolling Stone, Scialfa wasn’t happy with some of his vocals in the song, so his husband helped by re-recording those parts himself. The song can be heard now at Rolling Stone.

Bruce Springsteen visited the Upstage Club in Asbury Park last Thursday, March 24th. According to Stan Goldstein’s article at NJ.com, Bruce contacted a friend of Richard Yorkowitz (current owner of the long-gone Upstage club building) and asked to visit the old club.

«He definitely remembered the place. He remembered everything right away,» said Yorkowitz. «Bruce said it had been 40 years since he had last been in there. «He remembered Tom Potter’s office on the second floor and sitting at the little tables at the Green Mermaid Cafe and eating there.» «Springsteen said the first time he was at the Upstage, he met Southside Johnny,  Danny Federici, Vini Lopez and other musicians».

Read the whole story at NJ.com

Matt Chamberlain (former Edie Brickell, and Pearl Jam, drummer), wrote this week on Twitter that he’s got a call from the Boss to go make some recordings.

«When the Boss calls you got to go!», wrote Chamberlain last Friday. On Saturday he tweeted again: «Today I’m heading out to NJ to record with that guy from there,so excited». This would lend to believe that Springsteen is recording a new solo album at his home studio, this time with new musicians.

In a recent interview with WMGC radio, Steve Van Zandt said this when asked about future plans with the E Street Band:

«You know Bruce — he’s always got an album in his pocket, he’s always writing something. I don’t know this for a fact, but I expect him to possibly put something out that’s more of a solo nature, before we get back together. Only because he’s so prolific, still, after all these years… I expect him starting to have a backlog of songs, just in terms of the time that have passed.»