"The Boss" Bruce Springsteen graced the grand reopening of the famed Asbury Lanes, an iconic bowling alley at Asbury Park, on Monday, June 18.
The event was attended by around 700 people including celebrities such as The Greatest Showman star Hugh Jackman and Adrian Grenier of Entourage.
Bruce Springsteen Returns To Asbury Park
"It's been a joy to see what's been happening in town over the past 10, 15, and 20 years," Springsteen stated onstage. "The art community, the gay and LGBTQ community who supported Asbury when it was down and out. I walk down the boardwalk now and I feel like the ghost of Christmas past, but that's okay. It's fun to watch Asbury's future unfold in front of me."
The renowned singer-songwriter, who was born and raised in New Jersey, has a long history with Asbury Park. While starting out, he frequented the venue and often surprised fans with appearances at the town's annual Light of Day Festival.
However, his appearance at the grand reopening of Asbury Lanes was quite unexpected, mostly because of Springsteen on Broadway. Still, the celebrated music icon took time off from the production to come home to Asbury Park.
In addition, the venue pledged $125,000 to the Boys and Girls Club on behalf of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
The Tangiers Blues Band, led by photographer Danny Clinch, was first to take the stage at the event. They performed covers of songs by The Beastie Boys, The Talking Heads, and The Velvet Underground. The Boss joined in for energetic renditions of "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" by Johnny Rivers, "I Just Want To Make Love To You" by Muddy Waters, "Down the Road a Piece" by Don Raye," and "Twist and Shout."
Portugal. The Man also performed at the event.
The Boss Denounces President Trump's Immigration Policy
The next night, the 68-year-old returned to New York City for the critically acclaimed Springsteen on Broadway. However, the show on Tuesday was quite different; the "Born in the U.S.A." singer went off script and talked about the "inhumane" border policy that sees children separated from their families.
He also called out the "senior people in government" who have a hand at taking children away from parents who are detained for illegal immigration.
"For 146 shows, I have played pretty much the same set every night," he said to the audience. "Tonight demands something different."
Springsteen has been critical of U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
He then played "The Ghost of Tom Joad," a protest song inspired by John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.
Springsteen on Broadway was recently extended to December 2018. The show recently received a special award at this year's Tony Awards.
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