Credit: Danny ClinchBruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at a preview party Saturday for the “Springsteen: His Hometown” exhibit housed at the Monmouth County Historical Association in the Boss’ hometown of Freehold, New Jersey.
The popular Springsteen fan site Backstreets.com reports that Bruce showed up at about 7 p.m. and took a tour of the exhibit, then joined his old pals Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, one of the event’s previously announced performers, for a rocking rendition of his song “Light of Day.”
As seen in fan-shot video posted on YouTube, Springsteen told the crowd just prior to playing the song, “I can’t stay long, I’ve got my family in the city. But I wanted to just come down and thank everybody for supporting the Historical Association…It’s nice to be honored in your hometown, and I hope you guys have a great night.”
According to Backstreets.com, the party also included a silent auction that included famous photos of Bruce taken by Danny Clinch and Frank Stefanko and signed by the photographers. In addition, the event featured a performance by ex-Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes guitarist Bobby Bandiera and his band, as well as appearances by Clinch and former E Street Band drummer Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez.
“Springsteen: His Hometown,” which officially opened on Sunday, focuses on the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s contribution and connection to the Monmouth County, New Jersey, area. Among the more than 150 pieces of memorabilia on display are tour and album cover props, song lyrics, old newspaper clippings and a fire truck Bruce donated to Freehold in 1991. The exhibit will run until the fall of 2020.
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