Hang around Asbury Park long enough, and you’ll hear the following phrase uttered:
“I heard Bruce is showing up tonight.”
Yes, the infamous Bruce rumor. Here’s some of our favorites:
Last year he and Paul McCartney (who was in the area with his wife) were supposed to jump onstage at The Stone Pony during Bayside’s concert to announce a special show they’d be doing at Convention Hall.
Any time The Gaslight Anthem, or Brian Fallon played Asbury Park, Bruce rumors ran rampant.
After appearing one time with Joe Grushecky, and the Sensational Soul Cruisers at Wonder Bar (two separate shows), rumors of The Boss’ arrival circulate like wildfire.
He was even supposed to show up and jam at the last Asbury Park-based beachfront festival, The Bamboozle Festival, back in 2011.
Of course, NONE of those came to fruition.
However, it made boatloads of sense that the man who put Asbury Park on the map would appear at the inaugural Sea.Hear.Now Festival. Curated by Danny Clinch, the renowned rock photographer who has captured iconic shots of The Boss, Sea.Hear.Now seemed like the most logical place.
The buzz started Sunday afternoon, and the entire city was abuzz when Social Distortion took the stage, as this was the rumored time Bruce would show up.
And show up he did.
Sending the droves of festival-goers in joyous exultations to the gods of music — Bruce came out and performed with Social Distortion on the band’s iconic cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” The Boss stuck around for “Misery Loves Company,” and “Bad Luck.”
Keep tuned into Pop Break for all our coverage of Sea.Hear.Now including photos, reviews, portraits, and interviews.
-Words by Bill Bodkin | Photo by Al Mannarino
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