By Gary Wien
originally published: 04/08/2009
Recently a local writer wrote about how the web has taken away the thrill of discovering what was going to be played at a Bruce Springsteen show. I don't normally comment on other people's work, but I just found the idea behind this article so ridiculous that it deserved comment.
First of all, this article is anything but timely. It might have had some merit if it was written in the late 90s, during the first mainstream explosion of the Internet;It probably would have had more meaning if it was written in the late 80s when services like Compuserve, Prodigy, and AOL were bringing millions to the world of online communities; But in 2009, this article is ridiculously out of date. Hell, true Springsteen fans have probably known setlist after setlist for every show from the early eighties on. Fan magazines like Backstreets and Point Blank regularly filled in the details quite well. In fact, I remember going to the first official night of the Tunnel of Love show and knowing what to expect strictly from the grapevine - the Asbury Park grapevine that is. Around here, Springsteen spoilers have been an annual event in my life as consistent as bennies taking over the Jersey Shore come Memorial Day. The information is always out there and always has been out there, but if you don't want to know, nobody forces you to know.
Somehow, I get the feeling that there may be more to this article than meets the eye. The author previously wrote about the "fanatics" and "crazies" who gather outside Convention Hall in Asbury Park to catch a glimpse of Bruce and the band arriving for tour rehearsal. The article pointed out how the fans had their ears to the wall to hear whatever they could (which seems a bit extreme since it's not only quite easy to hear the shows from outside, but people generally can hear pretty well) and how the crowds all dragged out their cameras to snatch pictures of Bruce as if he was some sort of God.
Unfortunately, the point of that article got lost thanks to a series of "paparazzi-like" shots taken by the author. Somehow, the idea of poking fun at "crazies" gets lost when the author personally acts like a stalker as well. Of course, the author defended the work as "gonzo journalism" - something that made me laugh. Gonzo writers like Hunter Thompson rarely, if ever, had to explain what they were doing...
I think the initial 15 minutes of Internet fame that came from the paparazzi shots led the author to write the spoiler article. More than wanting to point out how wrong it is for fans to know the songs in advance, I think the writer was hoping to find another way to have people make the connection between the author, Bruce Springsteen, and Asbury Park. This person is obviously not the first to attempt to grab fame thanks to Bruce and Asbury and will undoubtedly not be the last. What's unfortunate is that this author is now seen by some as representing Asbury Park and its music scene. I call it unfortunate because the author's latest articles seem more like the work of an opportunist rather than a budding writer.
Some may say, "didn't you write a book on Bruce Springsteen and Asbury Park? Aren't you an opportunist too?" Well, yes and no. I purposely wrote a book unlike any other to come out before or since. Springsteen was part of the book (as he definitely should be part of any book detailing Asbury Park's rock and roll history) but the book went out of its way to show that Asbury Park's music heritage did not begin and end with Bruce Springsteen. The book contained chapters on some 40 plus artists from the sixties to the early 2000s. It was hardly just another book on Bruce or Asbury Park.
So, I think I have some credibility when I say I wasn't just another Springsteen opportunist.
I guess what bothers me the most is that some of the people who have been labeled as a member of the "crazies" have been among the strongest supporters of the Asbury Park music community for decades. They have been involved in tons and tons of charity events, written books, been part of documentaries, given tours, and basically helped keep the spirit of Asbury's music history alive.
In other words, they deserve better.
Maybe if this author had done more research or had been more involved in the local music scene, the person wouldn't have been so quick to make the jump between fans, fanatics, and "crazies." Not only do I disagree with the articles, but think the author would be much better off aiming for a career as a gossip hound on TMZ rather than a music journalist. Music should mean everything for a music journalist - so much so that we very easily could be seen as "crazies" to the outside world.
The day you try tearing down the idea that music could mean everything in the world to somebody is the day I think you cease to be a music journalist because you obviously aren't a believer. Maybe music can't change the world, but some of us still choose to believe. And I would never take that away from anyone.
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
Griffin House
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
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NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
