Terrific book event today at the new home of the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation, which is beautifully decorated with vintage photos, posters, and album covers from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and other artists who have roots in the area. Lots of warm and friendly people attended, including Jackie Alfano, widow of organist Bob Alfano, an original member of the Castiles, one of Springsteen’s earliest bands; rock photographer John Cavanaugh; Eileen Chapman, who oversees the Springsteen Special Collection at Monmouth University and supplied valuable research help for my book; and Susan Pellegrini, executive director of the Musical Heritage Foundation.

After I read excerpts from Springsteen on Springsteen, signed copies, and answered questions, my wife and son and I stopped by the famous Stone Pony club.

Then my wife and I walked along the boardwalk…

And remember when Bruce sang about how “the cops finally busted Madame Marie for telling fortunes better than they do”? Well, there she was on the boardwalk 40 years later—or so the person now calling herself Madam Marie would probably want us to believe.

(All photos by Andre Burger)