After Joe Grushecky performed three tracks at his Asbury Park, NJ set at Wonder Bar on Saturday night, special guest Bruce Springsteen surprisingly stormed the stage for a grueling two-hour-long, 15-track set. Jumping into "Never Enough Time," the long-lasting companions ran through "Atlantic City," "Code of Silence," "Adam Raised A Chain," and "Because the Night," and various fan-favorites before closing with "Darkness On The Edge of Town."
Although his appearance remained unknown until he stepped on stage, it hardly comes as a shock: Springsteen always makes it a point to play a "surprise" gig with the ex-Iron City Houserockers frontman at the annual Light of Day benefit concert. The two have been buddies for more 30 years while Grushecky currently works as a special education teacher in Pittsburgh. The 65-year-old singer-songwriter had a hand in producing his American Babylon LP and shortly after, the duo hit the road for some club gigs. Since then, the two have performed in each other's company countless times.
Grushecky's classes, however, are not phased by his close-knit relationship with Springsteen. "Rock and roll is not a big thing with them," he explained to Rolling Stone in 2011. "It's a population that's very hardcore, and tough to work with. I have students that are not only verbally aggressive but are sometimes physically aggressive. I've had my share of physical confrontations. Waking up that early in the morning just about kills me some days. Hopefully I don't have too many years left and I can retire soon."
Springsteen finds himself in the midst of endless rumors concerning a new album although he kept an extremely low key lifestyle throughout 2015. According to NME, he recently make surprise apperances alongside Brian Wilson during his Holmdel concert in July and The Who for a performance of the classic track "My Generation" in May.
