Bericht vom 28.Mai.2001 / Asbury Press
Springsteen Auftritt im Stone Pony

Bruce Springsteen takes the Stone Pony by storm

Published in the Asbury Park Press 5/28/01 
By AMY BRIA
FREEHOLD BUREAU

ASBURY PARK -- Stone Pony owner Domenic Santana was monitoring a tornado that was in the area last night, seeing if the storm would hit the second that rocker Bruce Springsteen stepped onstage in a surprise performance.

"Every time he hits the stage, there's a storm," Santana said. "That's not Mother Nature; he just creates his own."

The long lines for the bathroom instantly disappeared as fans started screaming "Bruce" and realized the rumor traveling throughout the bar was true: Springsteen was in the building.

Wearing jeans, a blue T-shirt, a backward baseball cap and a bandanna, Springsteen grabbed a guitar and walked onstage.

John McLinden, who lives in Somerset County, said he's seen Springsteen perform between 25 and 30 times, but he was at the Stone Pony last night to see Southside Johnny. Springsteen was an extra treat.

"I like them both," McLinden said.

Springsteen, who grew up in Freehold and lives in Rumson and Colts Neck, joined Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes an hour into the band's performance.

"You just don't expect it to happen," said Kelli Covert, a fan. "We had no idea he was going to come out."

Chicago resident Will Gage, 28, visited New Jersey this weekend for the first time specifically to see all the "Springsteen stuff" along the Shore. Gage, his brother and friend went to the Stone Pony two nights in a row, hoping that something like last night's appearance might occur.

"We just figured we'd give it a shot," Gage said. "We're here on vacation for exactly this."

Gage, who said his tastes in music while growing up were influenced by his uncles Ralph and Tom, cheered and whistled when Springsteen took the stage with Southside Johnny at 8:40 p.m. to sing "The Fever," which was written by Springsteen. Onstage for about an hour, Springsteen also joined in on other Southside staples, "Having A Party," "I Don't Want To Go Home" and "Trapped Again."

"This is the highlight of my life right now," Gage said.

For Santana, the night was a milestone - the one-year anniversary of the legendary club's reopening.

He released 27 balloons when Springsteen took the stage, representing the 27 years of the Stone Pony's history.

"It might be cold and chilly, but we have plenty of warm bodies here," Santana said. "When he hit the stage, the tornadoes ran the other way."