Greetings From Asbury Park: Bruce Springsteen Joins Southside Johnny at the “Blinded By The Light” Premiere
Wednesday, August 7th – MGK Listeners joined the cast and crew of the new film “Blinded By The Light” for the official red carpet premiere. The new film, directed by Gurinder Chadha, had its red carpet debut at the Paramount Theatre, located in Asbury Park.
After a red carpet walk by most of the cast and crew, the film was screened in the theatre, with intros by the cast. In addition to the cast, the subject of the main character’s professional and personal inspiration, Bruce Springsteen, was in attendance. After posing for pics with the cast and crew, he watched the film as a member of the audience.
The after party, originally to be held at the Stone Pony, was moved to Asbury Park Convention Hall. Almost the entire cast and crew attended, and everyone was treated to a set performed by Southside Johnny, and the Asbury Jukes. During the entire set, a Fender Telecaster sat at the summit of a Fender amp, which eventually was manned by the Boss himself. Bruce joined Southside for “Talk to Me”, “634-5789”, “Sherry Darling”, and “We’re Having a Party.” Bruce and Southside had already announced that the song would be their last together, which worked out, since Bruce broke a guitar string (which had no bearing on the phenomenal performance).
The film, starring Viveik Kalra and Haley Atwell, tells the story of a young Pakistani man, trying to find his way in the 80’s UK, amid racial turmoil and a fight to see eye to eye with a traditional Pakistani family. The main character, Javed (Kalra), finds a voice in the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen, which furthers his cause to both be a writer, and bridge his dreams, with the support of his family.
The film opens everywhere on 8/16.
