Bruce Springsteen marks 20th anniversary of Light of Day Winterfest with surprise return

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Courtesy Light of Day FoundationThe 20th anniversary of the Light of Day Winterfest was made even more special when Bruce Springsteen appeared as a surprise guest performer after a five year absence.  

Light of Day Winterfest, put on by The Light of Day Foundation, Inc., helps raise awareness and money to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and PSP. 

Springsteen’s attendance, marking his 12th overall, helped the festival surpass its two-decade $6 million fundraising goal.  He appeared on stage three times, playing alongside with Jesse MalinWillie Nile, and Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers during the 10-day festival’s six-hour segment dubbed “Bob’s Birthday Bash,” in honor of the organization’s co-founder and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin, who not only inspired Winterfest, but was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1996.

With Grushecky and his band, Springsteen unleashed an “explosive” 70-minute session that spanned 10 songs such as “The Promised Land” and “Atlantic City.” 

The two collaborated for a traditional performance of “Light of Day,” which traditionally marks the end of the Birthday Bash, and were joined on stage by all the festival’s performers.  However, Springsteen serenaded Benjamin with a solo performance of “Thunder Road.”

Springsteen closed with, “Thank you, Bob. We love you.”  

Benjamin, who is wheelchair bound, was also presented with a birthday cake as the audience sang “Happy Birthday.”

With Malin’s set, Springsteen assisted with the duet “Broken Radio” and played guitar for “Meet Me at the End of the World,” which is off of Malin’s latest album.

Springsteen also joined Nile for “One Guitar,” which is the festival’s unofficial anthem.

Winterfest ends on January 25.  Tickets are still available on ticketmaster.com.

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