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The Boss Inspires Blinded By The Light Movie – Photos & Review from the Red Carpet

Patti Scialfa , Bruce Springsteen and director/writer of Blinded by the Light, Gurinder Chadha on the Red Carpet at the Asbury Park premier of Blinded By The Light

Growing up in New Jersey during the 70s and 90s made me a bonafide Bruce Springsteen fan. I remember first hearing the Boss on my way to Paul VI in the late ’70s singing “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” as it blared over the speakers in my yellow school bus via WMMR.

I thought this guy is never going to make it, his voice is too rough. But as time went on his message was the message of survival, hard work, family, friends, the values I was taught, we were taught, values that connected us to him and each other. My brother Ray, one of the middle kids in our family, really related to Bruce and it wasn’t long before we had Boss posters up on the wall, and blaring on the tape deck. Springsteen’s inspiration comes through in the movie Blinded By The Light as well, but you don’t have to be a Springsteen fan to love this movie. It’s a triumphant movie about a kid growing up and finding his way through adversity, and a strict familial upbringing. Following ones own dreams to the path of personal success. And it’s funny along the way.

It was great to cover a big red carpet premiere again, I haven’t done one in about a decade since I stopped traveling to NYC to cover them. Thanks Allied Philadelphia for inviting me. I did a lot of social media around the event, even the thrilling moment when Bruce Springsteen and his wife, and back up singer Patti Scialfa surprised the cast on the red carpet. They seemed genuinely surprised, I was kinda surprised since they had been in Europe only three days earlier, but you know they have those planes these days that get you back in time for a premiere of a movie inspired by your songs so I was fairly positive Bruce would be there. That’s Marilyn Russell, WOGL98.1 Mornings With Marilyn, with The Big Man’s son, Jarod Clemons (r).

At the after party Gurinder Chadha, Viveik Kalra and Sarfraz Manzoor thanked the guests for coming. They spoke about the political climate of the 80s in the UK when Sarfraz was growing up, and how we must work hard not to let racism, prejudice and hate monger consume and divide us.
Then Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes entertained the crowd, calling up Bruce and Patti to join them for a few songs.
Thanks Allied for inviting me

It was surreal to watch Blinded By The Light only 5 rows behind Bruce (and his big bodyguard), no it was magical to experience the joy and pride of how Springsteen’s music comforted this kids life while navigating obstacles in his life. How his music empowered him to make something of his life, to break through. Springsteen was notably touched and it showed through his performance that evening. Pinch me did I just witness Bruce Springsteen make a surprise appearance at the movie screening I just shot, and then perform on stage with Southside Johnny. What a bucket list moment for this Bruuuuce fan!! Go see it. I’m going to see it again, there was so much to take in and I need to recapture the feelings.

I was surprise the movie wasn’t called Growin’ Up

When I was a kid I remember hearing this on WMMR, and every time I hear Growin’ up, I insert Philadelphia!!! What a great movie, brought back so many great memories for me, it’s great to see someone across the pond like Sarfraz Manzoor was inspired by The Boss as well. – 2 Thumbs Up

Philadelphia

DaddyO, Where the rooms are adorable and a Wine Bottle is on the Wall

Summertime, summertime you were the best. August was definitely the standout month, as you know if you follow me on Social Media. Last week I headed to Long Beach Island, a shore town I used to go to with the parents over Labor Day Weekend with the parents in the 70s. The town is still as quaint and comfortable as it was back then,

DaddyO

and no place captured it more than Daddy O Hotel Restaurant  which is part of Fearless Restaurants (White Dog Café, Moshulu, Autograph Brasserie in Wayne, Plantation and Tucker in LBI ) owned by Marty Grim, who hosted moi and my gal Laura Burkhardt.
DaddyO
The rooms are adorable, kinda like a cool beach bungalow

DaddyO
or a Maine cabin. But does it have a bottle of wine hanging from the wall like this. Only $35, and I hear it was delicious.
The hotel has an active bar on the roof, on a back deck. there’s also a restaurant where not only is it packed by the hotel guests, but by a lot of locals. That says a lot. They also have bikes you can borrow to ride around town as well. If it wasn’t raining Miss B Where and I would have definitely done that. The staff was AMAZING. So friendly.

DaddyO

Tuesday night Laura and I headed for Plantation. I had this salmon dish with ravioli, and it was so good. I loved the plating as well.
DaddyO

The next day Laura and I headed to Tucker’s Tavern. We had a few apps. I had a burger of course, and Laura had the New England Clam Chowder, which she told me it was so good she would bathe in it. I was ROFL. Wish I had had some.HD1_7027 (Custom)

The rooftop was closed because of weather, but I went up so I could see the Perseids Meteor shower, which is still visable til 8/24, which is tomorrow night. I saw 4 shooting stars and it was spectacular. DaddyO
Did I mention that DaddyO’s is only a block from the beach.DaddyO

The beach is still as beautiful as I remembered it as a kid, with great waves for surfing. Thanks to DaddyO’s for the hospitality, the delicious food and creating new memories for this kid at heart.