Bruce Springsteen Joins Steven Van Zandt For WhyHunger Benefit At The Stone Pony

Bruce Springsteen joined his longtime bandmate Steven Van Zandt during WhyHunger’s 50th Anniversary Hungerthon Benefit Docu-Concert at Asbury Park, New Jersey’s famed Stone Pony on Sunday, December 14. The Boss made a surprise appearance with Stevie Van Zandt & The Disciples of Soul with Marc Ribler, performing holiday and Springsteen classics.

Late “Cat’s In The Cradle” singer Harry Chapin co-founded the nonprofit WhyHunger in 1975 with Bill Ayres. Many of Chapin’s family members were present for the 50th anniversary celebration including Steve Chapin and The Original Harry Chapin Band, featuring Tom Chapin, Jen Chapin and Randy C. Moore performing “Cat’s In The Cradle.”

Also on the bill were Sameer Gadhia and Eric Cannata of Young The Giant, Yola, Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens, Dixie Dregs, Jimmy Vivino with Mark Barden and E Street Band member Garry Tallent.

Joining the latter was renowned photographer/musician Danny Clinch, who played harmonica with Tallent on “Blue Suede Shoes.” E Street Band members took center stage once again when Springsteen rolled out halfway through Stevie Van Zandt & The Disciples of Soul with Marc Ribler’s set.

The Boss got in on the fun, despite a false fire alarm interrupting the performance, beginning with a song from New Jersey legend Southside Johnny, “I Don’t Want to Go Home.” Springsteen favorite “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” followed. “Merry Christmas Baby” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” — famously covered by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band — marked the final songs of the set.

Check out video of Bruce’s sit-in with Stevie Van Zandt below: