Recommendations of the Editorial team
On Sunday (October 26), Steven Van Zandt hosted his Party at the Pony, a fundraiser to benefit his non-profit music education organization TeachRock.
The star-studded event promised “special appearances from some of Stevie’s Disciples [of Soul] and the E Street Band Family” and kept that promise with an unannounced appearance by Bruce Springsteen.
The event took place at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey and featured performances by Jesse Malin, Darlene Love, Gary US Bonds, Marc Ribler, Anthony Almonte of the Funky Mofo’s, Curtis King Jr., Ozzie Melendez, Eddie Manion and Barry Danielian. It was also announced as a birthday party for Van Zandt and his wife Maureen.
Bruce Springsteen’s appearance is no coincidence
In a clip from that evening, Van Zandt and Springsteen can be seen playing “I Don’t Want to Go Home.” It is the title song, written by Van Zandt, of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes’ first album, which was produced by Van Zandt and features two compositions by Springsteen.
That evening they also performed “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” from Born to Run, supported by an enthusiastic audience who sang along. According to fans, “Raise Your Hand” could also be heard.
None of this is entirely coincidental: the Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me From Nowhere” opened at the weekend. Here, Jeremy Allen White in the role of Boss gives unannounced concerts at the Stone Pony – like Springsteen himself did in 1982.