Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at The Stone Pony on Sunday to hit the stage with his longtime pal Steven Van Zandt and his band. The Boss joined Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul as they performed at the 50th annual Hungerthon, a yearly benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for ending hunger.
Video posted to YouTube shows that shortly after they began playing together, the venue’s fire alarm went off — causing the building’s lights to come on and the band’s amplifiers to shut off.
The audience continued singing Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes’ hit “I Don’t Want to Go Home,” even after the band paused amid the sound and safety issues. The crowd remained lively, singing “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Having a Party.”
Springsteen, 76, began drumming on the congas with percussionist Anthony Almonte during the delay. But soon the alarm shut off, the lights went back down and amps were back in action.
The show resumed with Springsteen and Van Zandt singing “I Don’t Want to Go Home.”
“I don’t care if that f—— fire alarm goes off,” Springsteen exclaimed after Van Zandt sang, “I know it’s time to go, but I don’t want to go home.”
The group continued the show with an abridged version of “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” as well as ”Merry Christmas Baby” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”
Some of the benefit’s other performers included Steve Chapin & the Original Harry Chapin Band (featuring Tom Chapin and Jen Chapin), Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens, Garry Tallent, Sameer Gadhia and Eric Cannata of Young the Giant, the Dixie Dregs and more.
