Photo Danny Clinch

For a musician known for Garden State sit-ins, it should come as no surprise that Bruce Springsteen showed up unannounced last night, joining the Tangiers Blues Band featuring Robert Randolph and Jake Clemons. The on-stage collaborator occurred on Saturday, September 15, during a Sea.Hear.Now. after-party at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J.

Billed as The Pony show Springsteen, surrounded by a loaded stage of fellow artists, Randolph on  pedal steel guitar, E Street Band saxophonist Clemons, harmonica-ready Clinch, and his fellow Tangiers Blues Band participants collectively dipped in R&B/ rock classics, including “Lucille,” “Down The Road A Piece,” and “Boom Boom.”

The sit-in lasted around half an hour, providing just enough time for The Boss to rouse the packed house into an ecstatic thrill and leave on a high, so that the billed band could feed off the energy until the end of the night. 

This is not the first time Springsteen has joined Tangiers Blues Band; their Asbury Park overlaps in the music realm have ranged in location (The Stone Pony, Asbury Park Lanes, etc.) but always featured classic covers that reveal joint appreciation for rock, blues and R&B predecessors. 

Relix was at the event and shared videos via Instagram. Randolph took the opportunity to share his feelings about playing with Springsteen, commenting: “Best freaking time I ever had in my life. The BOSS is truly THE BOSS!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.” View more comments below.

Springsteen’s Saturday night sit-in occurred hours before his call time on the Surf Stage at Sea.Hear.Now, on Sunday, September 15. Springsteen & The E Street Band are scheduled to play from 7:30 till 10:30 p.m. Following The Boss’ festival appearance, he will embark on a series of Canadian tour dates, slated to pick up on Halloween, Oct. 31, at Centre Bell in Montreal. Tickets and more information are available here.

Scroll down to view videos from last night’s sit-in. 

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