The Hope Concert IV

Monday night was another great night at The Count Basie Theater.  Bobby Bandiera's 4th Edition of The Hope Concert was set to feature himself, Gary US Bonds, Southside Johnny, and Jon Bon Jovi among others.  However, a special guest made the night one to remember.

The night started, as most Basie nights do, at Juanito's for Mexican food.  Around 8, we made our way over to The Basie.  Sammy and I hung in the hallway with Jeff Kazee as we weren't that intersted in the opening acts, no offense.  About 15 minutes in to the conversation, Jeff told us all of our boys were in the house tonight.  Going to the show, I had no expectations that Bruce woul

d show up, but needless to say, I was pretty psyched.

So we're still standing in the hallway and all of a sudden, Jon Bon Jovi is standing next to us.  I couldn't help but say hi and remind him of our conversation from last year which was described in previous blog posts.  Both of us questioned Tom Coughlin as the coach of the Giants and both of us weren't convinced that Eli was the right QB to lead the team.  I said, thank God we were both wrong and wished him Happy Holidays.

Sammy and I took our seats during Bobby's set.  The show had great pace with quick sets.  After Bobby, Gary US Bonds did a quick set, and then Southside.  At the end of Southside'

s set, JBJ came out to join him for This Time It's For Real.  JBJ was wearing a Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes tshirt circa 1976 from The Stone Pony.  Afterwards, he was asked where he got the shirt.  He said it was an original and had been in his closet since the 70's.  He's really a true Southside fan.   

At the end of JBJ's set, he brought out Bruce for Run Run Rudolph.  Bruce hung back, sang back up vocals, but did step forward for an amazing guitar solo.  Sammy and I had been sitting in row Z, but as soon as Bruce took the stage, we moved up and ended up even with the 2nd row.

After Rudolph, Bruce and Bobby's band ran through Merry Christmas Baby and Santa Claus is Coming to To

wn.  During Santa, Bruce brought down La Bamba to sing Clarence's part, but he didn't realize that La Bamba was recently in a car accident and was on crutches.

With an eight person horn section, Bruce and the band then played the Wilson Pickett tune 634-5789.   Believe it or not, this is the first time I have seen Bruce play th

is song.  Cross another off of the list.  Bruce then called JBJ back on stage for 10th Avenue Freeze Out, which was a lot of fun.  As you can see here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg7UcfguwKM) Bruce almost took a spill because there was some give in the mic stand.  Funny stuff.

The show closed with Havin A Party...and we were.  This was another great night of music with great friends, both on stage and off.  Hopefully, this is a tradition that will continue and we will see The Hope Concert V next year.

"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive..."

JN