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The Boss comes home
Bruce Springsteen is a West Side kind of guy.The Freehold-born rocker joined members of the 1960s-era West Side R&B music scene of Asbury Park, along with Southside Johnny Lyon and former E Street Band drummer Vini Lopez, on stage during the Nicky Addeo and the Night Owl Band show Saturday night (April 2) at the city's Wonder Bar.
Springsteen said recognition of the West Side scene and its impact on what became known as The Sound of Asbury Park is long overdue.
"The West Side guys had a strong influence on what became known as the Sound of Asbury Park," Springsteen told NJ Press Media. "There was a moment when the scenes (rock, doo-wop and R&B) crossed over, and I opened for the Broadways."
Asbury Park's Broadways had a hit with "Going, Going, Gone" for MGM Records in the summer of 1966.
"(Springsteen) used to open a couple of shows for us when he wasn't 'The Boss,'" said Broadways member Ronnie Coleman, who performed Saturday night. "I think he was 16 (years old)."
- Chris Jordan, staff writer. Contributing: staff writer Jean Mikle
