Is it even possible that Bruce Springsteen would actually NOT show up for the first open air, drive-in concert at the Jersey Shore this summer??? Fans are already taking bets that Springsteen will be on hand to join old friends Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes at their July 11th show at Oceanport, New Jersey's Monmouth Park Racetrack.
Southside, who's real name is Johnny Lyons, said in a statement announcing the gig, "The Asbury Jukes and I are so excited that we can play this first of its kind live concert and help get New Jersey started on a quick and healthy return to normal. Why sit at home when 'We’re Havin’ A Party,' drive-in style? We'll safely see everyone July 11th."
Variety reported on the upcoming Jersey show, explaining how it would work for concert-goers: "The plan for New Jersey is on an even larger scale than the Texas (drive-in) concerts, with the parking area spaced to accommodate up to 1,000 cars in the track parking lot, with a maximum occupancy of four passengers per vehicle. Each car will be spaced nine feet apart to comply with social distancing regulations, according to organizers. Cars will also be parked in a 'staggered fashion' to achieve spacing and best visibility. Attendees will be able to hear the concerts via FM radio frequency to be announced at a later date."
The article went on to say, "Patrons attending the show may only leave their vehicles only to use the restrooms — which will be cleaned and sanitized after each use — and will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Plans for concessions, with the exclusion of alcohol, are in the works."
Bruce Springsteen recalled that where he, Southside Johnny, and the E Street Band originally came from played a huge part in the type of music he wrote and performed: ["If you grew up an hour outside of New York, like we did along the Jersey Shore — I mean, most of the people in my town had never been to New York City. And there was no one who came along the Jersey Shore to find talent, or songwriters, or bands. It just didn't happen then — this is the late-'60s and early-'70s. You were left in a bit of your own wilderness, y'know? But you had a very specific group of influences and a specific sound. So, what it was bars, y'know, it was bars, cars, girls — it was the things that I ended up writing about."] SOUNDCUE (:31 OC: . . . up writing about)
