Bruce Springsteen teamed up with Jesse Malin, Willie Nile and Joe Grushecky for an evening of music to raise funds for Parkinson's disease.
Saturday night, during the 25th annual Light of Day benefit at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey, Jesse Malin confirmed the rumors that had been circulating since late afternoon: Bruce Springsteen was here. It was one of Malin's first public performances since his stroke in 2023. We actually met at Light of Day, the first time I played at this kind of eventMalin told the crowd. Wherever he is, let's get him out. Bruce, where are you? It's a song that we recorded in 2007 on a record called Glitter in the Gutter.” He spoke of “ Broken Radio ”, and the two singers gave a delicate interpretation of this piece that made Malin fans cry who feared they would never see this again.
It was the highlight of a long evening, during which Springsteen was also invited by his old friends Willie Nile and Joe Grushecky, and with performances by John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem, Brian Baker of Bad Religion, Remember Jones, Dramarama and the Weeklings. Few events bring together such an eclectic group of musicians as Light of Day, which has been raising money to fight Parkinson's disease since its humble beginnings in 2000.
The show began with a very energetic set from Remember Jones, who transformed the song “ Everyday Is a Winding Road » by Sheryl Crow into a Broadway-worthy anthem. The Weeklings followed with a rollicking set of Beatles-inspired songs and an instrumental cover of “ Won't Get Fooled Again » by the Who. Light of Day President Joe D’Urso brought everyone to their feet with his anthem “ Noisy Guitars “, Dramarama took audiences back to the 1980s with its forgotten classic ” Last Cigarette “, and Brian Baker and Brian Fallon joined forces for a superb cover of ” I Won't Back Down » by Tom Petty. At the end of Willie Nile's brief concert, Springsteen launched into a wild rendition of “ One Guitar “.
Most artists were only allowed three or four songs, but Jesse Malin was able to perform 13 as part of his courageous return to the stage. He remained seated in a chair for most of the concert, which included original compositions like “ Room 13 ” And ” Oh Sheena ”, as well as covers of “ If I Should Fall From Grace With God » of the Pogues, « Sway » by the Rolling Stones and « Rudie Can't Fail » from the Clash.
The penultimate artist of the evening was John Rzeznik, who performed classic Goo Goo Dolls acoustics.
Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers started the last set of the evening with their new song “ This Is Who We Are » before inviting “ the real governor of New Jersey, Mr. Bruce Springsteen “. The last time he joined them at Light of Day in 2020, it was a strangely somber set where it felt like Springsteen was on stage almost against his will. This time it was quite the opposite. Springsteen was clearly in a happy mood as he opened the concert with “ Never Be Enough Time », taken from the album American Babylon by Grushecky, released in 1995.
They then continued with “ Darkness on the Edge of Town ” And ” The Promised Land “. These are songs that Springsteen has performed countless times with the E Street Band in stadiums and arenas around the world, but seeing him perform them with the Houserockers in a small venue is a unique experience.
Only the true believers in the crowd recognized the beginning of “ Savin' Up ”, which Springsteen wrote for Clarence Clemons & The Red Bank Rockers in 1983.
It was Springsteen's first time playing with the band since his last show at Light of Day in 2020, and it was fantastically messy at times. “ I don't know what happened because we didn't rehearsehe declared halfway through. We rehearsed just a little. This allows you to relax and feel good! »
Grushecky sang “ Pumpin' Iron » before Springsteen announced to the crowd that he was going to play a B-side from 1984, ” Pink Cadillac “. “ I wrote this song as a bit of a joke. That's why I don't play it. But we will play it tonight. I'm going to sing a verse. And on the chorus, the group joins me. Don't disappoint me! » Not only did the band take on the challenge, but photographer Danny Clinch engaged in a lengthy harmonica/guitar duel with Springsteen. “ That's pretty good for a photographer, Springsteen said. “ And concert promoter. »
As always, the set ended with the return of all the artists of the evening for “ Light of Day “.
“ The last 25 years have been incredible said Bruce Springsteen, who picked up a harmonica to conclude the evening with “ Thunder Road “. “ I can't believe it was 25 years ago, Bobby. The first concert was at the Pony. Damn. How come we're all still here? For a little longer anyway… »
