Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iStarBruce Springsteen was on hand Monday night to help celebrate the official re-opening of Asbury Lanes, a recently restored bowling alley and music venue in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Rolling Stone reports that, as had been announced, The Boss performed at the event with The Tangiers Blues Band, a group featuring frequent Springsteen photographer Danny Clinch on harmonica and occasional vocals.
As seen in a video posted on the Asbury Park Press website, Springsteen initially hit the stage to introduce The Tangiers Blues Band, and also expressed his happiness about how Asbury Park has re-emerged as a thriving seaside community during the last decade or so.
“It’s been a joy watching what’s been happening in town over the past 10, 15 and 20 years,” Bruce told the crowd. “I walk down the boardwalk now, I feel like the Ghost of Christmas Past. But that’s OK, because it’s fun to watch Asbury’s future unfold in front of me.”
According to Rolling Stone, Springsteen joined The Tangiers Blues Band a few songs into their set, and they proceeded to play renditions of Huey “Piano” Smith‘s “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu,” the Muddy Waters classic “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” and the 1940 Don Raye hit “Down the Road a Piece.” The latter tune is a song that Bruce has been playing live since the early 1970s.
Bringing their set to a close was a brief version of the Isley Brothers and Beatles hit “Twist and Shout.”
Proceeds raised by the event, which was actually headlined by Portugal.The Man, will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Monmouth County, New Jersey. Asbury Lanes has pledged $125,000 to the charity on Bruce’s behalf.
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