The Paramount Theater in Asbury Park served as the destination for the main event of the 14th annual Light Of Day festival. The musical ghosts of the town's past were present as the seven-hour concert brought fans from as far away as London to their feet.

The Light Of Day festival raises money to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. Local promoter and manager Bob Benjamin, who is a victim of Parkinson's disease, is the centerpiece of Light Of Day. His annual "birthday bash" brings out some of the biggest names in music, as well as beloved local musicians.

This was the lineup on Saturday:

  • Rock and Roll Chorus
  • Rob Dye
  • Matt O’Ree Band
  • JoBonanno
  • Nicole Atkins
  • Mayor of Asbury Park Myra Campbell
  • Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan
  • Joanna Cotten and Greg Barnhill
  • Jesse Malin (featuring Bruce Springsteen on the song "Rock and Roll Radio")
  • SONiA
  • Garland Jeffreys
  • Peter Elkas
  • Willie Nile (featuring Bruce Springsteen on the song "One Guitar")
  • John Easdale and Pete Wood
  • Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls
  • Mike Peters
  • Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers (featuring a 90 minute set with Bruce Springsteen)

I spoke with Joe D'Urso, a musician commonly found performing at the Jersey shore and a fixture at the yearly festival. He talked about how important the Light Of Day Foundation is to him. D'Urso said, "[The Light Of Day Foundation] started as just a birthday party in Red Bank fifteen years ago and raised $2,000. This year, when all is said and done, we'll raise about $400,000." D'Urso also went on to say that he's delighted that the festival he is a part of has contributed greatly to the rebirth of Asbury Park.

Of course the worst kept secret of the night was that Bruce Springsteen was going to perform. Fans who arrived early to buy tickets were able to listen to his soundcheck around 4:00 PM that day. The Boss has appeared so often at Bob's annual birthday bash that it's almost more shocking if he doesn't show up. In 2013, he was not able to make it because he was the middle of his "Wrecking Ball" tour.

Here is the setlist from Bruce Springsteen's appearance with Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers:

  1. "Adam Raised a Cain"
  2. "Never be Enough Time" (song by Joe Grushecky)
  3. "Darkness on the Edge of Town"
  4. "Hearts of Stone" (A song Springsteen wrote for Southside Johnny. This was his third time ever playing this song.)
  5. "Pumping Iron" (song by Joe Grushecky)
  6. "Atlantic City"
  7. "Talking to the King" (song by Joe Grushecky)
  8. "Frankie Fell in Love" (A Bruce Springsteen world premiere)
  9. "Save My Love"
  10. "I'm Not Sleeping" (song by Joe Grushecky)
  11. "Because the Night"
  12. "The Promised Land"
  13. "Light of Day"
  14. Happy Birthday to Bob Benjamin
  15. A beautiful rendition of "Thunder Road"

Bruce Springsteen invited all of the night's performers on stage, as well as Bob Benjamin, to sing along for the final ten minutes. You can hear "Thunder Road" in the video below.

Saturday night was memorable for musicians and fans alike. The Light of Day Foundation can only get bigger from here.



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