Orel Family

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, September 6, 2025. Pollak Theater. West Long Branch, NJ. Photo courtesy of John Cavanaugh A DAY AT THE BEACH On the Beach in Asbury Park. September 5, 2025 We headed out on the road at 10am Thursday, determine to prove out that I could drive cross country in an EV, and pointed in the direction of my native land, New Jersey. I'll get back to the EV adventures hopefully soon. Pulling in to my mother's house at 10pm, it wasn't all that much slower than a gas-powered trip. My main objective for the trip was a series of events surrounding the 50th anniversary of "Born to Run." First things first: Aaron wanted a day at the beach. He wouldn't be able to go to any of the organized events due to his job, but he came up from Baltimore and for a few hours on Friday we were a family of 4 for a perfect beach day in Asbury Park. Being a few days after Labor Day, the beach was mostly empty. The undertow was too strong to go more than ...

Today was "The Main Event" of the Born to Run 50th Anniversary weekend at Monmouth University, and it was the most thrillingly unique day I've ever experienced as a Springsteen fan. Walking in to the Pollak Theater in the morning, I was immediately struck by how happy everyone seemed. Then I noticed how many in the capacity 750-seat room I've known for decades. Today was to document the anniversary, but in a way it was also for us. Consisting mostly as panel discussions and interviews, the day started with a Boom. Boom Carter, that is, the drummer that most Springsteen fans have never seen, who recorded exactly one song as a member of the E Street Band: Born to Run. Boom was joined by Garry Tallent and David Sancious for the first panel of the day, moderated by radio personality Tom Cunningham on the band as it existed from February through August 1974. Sancious was eloquent recalling events from long ago, though he also noted that in 1974 he was busy focusing on the ...