A bittersweet story about Bruce Springsteen making a rare club appearance to tribute his friend and bandmate landed the no. 7 spot in our list of the Top 11 Music Surprises of 11. Here it is: (hennemusic) The 400 people at the Wonder Bar Sunday night saw another legendary evening of music in Asbury Park. The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports Bruce Springsteen joined J.T. Bowen and the Sensational Soul Cruisers for a 45-minute set at the club as part of a "Tribute to the Late, Great Clarence Clemons."Bowen was the lead singer of Clemons' band, The Red Bank Rockers, in the 1980s. Clarence's son, Nick Clemons, opened the evening playing with his band. The Sensational Soul Cruisers then played their first set and were joined by Bowen for the second one. Midway through the second set, they played Clarence's hit with Jackson Browne, "You're a Friend of Mine," and Springsteen came over to the side of the stage to watch.
Bowen then called Springsteen up to play at 9 p.m., marking the first time Bruce has performed in public (outside of Clemons' private memorial service) since Clarence's passing on June 18. The set with Bruce included a variety of Clarence's songs, rare Springsteen tracks and soul covers. More including video here
