Chris Jordan Asbury Park Press
Nick Clemons, eldest son of the late Clarence Clemons, was able to do something this year he hasn't able been able to do in more than 10 years: He enjoyed a Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert.
“I went to shows this year — it's the first time I enjoyed it since my father passed,” Clemons said. “Oh yeah, I couldn't do it man. I'd sit there and cry. It wasn't enjoyable. I'd sit there and cry through the whole set.”
Clemons passed away due to complications of a stroke on June 18, 2011. He was 69. A resolution proclaiming Jan. 11, his birthday, as Clarence Clemons Day in New Jersey was sponsored by former Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, and signed by former Gov. Chris Christie in 2014.
Nick Clemons hosts a Big Man's Bash each year to honor his dad's legacy. This year it's Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Headliner in Neptune. Michelle Monique Moore of the E Street Band; Richard Balckwell of “The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle”; JT Bowen, who played with Clemons in the Red Bank Rockers; Eddie Testa; Pam McCoy; Gary Cavico; Chuck Lambert; Des & The Swagmatics; Bill Spadea; the Nick Clemons Band and more will perform.
Funds raised go toward the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County. Helping kids was a central theme of the Clemons home. Clarence and the late Jacqueline Brinkley Clemons both worked at the Jamesburg State Home for Boys.
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Jacqueline, who passed way in 2024 at the age of 73, later became director of recreational and rehabilitation therapy at Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital, becoming one of the first women in the state to achieve a managerial position in the counseling field.
Clarence met Jacqueline at Maryland State College. Jacqueline, a Philadelphia native and pianist, studied music.
“My mom and my father had some good years, did really well, and with her education and talent she made a great life for herself on her own,” Nick said.
Nick, as fans will see Saturday, is musical himself. When not playing rock 'n' roll, he produces adventurous urban sounds and avant-garde musical collages. A big musical palette for the son of the Big Man.
“There's going to be a lot of love around, and we'll make a few dollars for the Boys and Girls Club,” Nick said. “It's for a great cause.”
Go: Big Man's Bash with Nick Clemons and more, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, Jan 11, Headliner Oasis, 1401 Route 35, Neptune, $20 in advance, $25 at the door; headlineroasis.com.
Light of Day
The annual Light of Day, which raises finds and awareness in the fight against Parkinson’s and related diseases, always packs a rockin' emotional wallop, and this year that’s the case — even more so.
It's the 25th anniversary of the fest, and rocker Jesse Malin, a long-time festival supporter who suffered a spinal stroke in May 2023 that left him unable to walk, has joined the big Bob's Birthday Bash Saturday, Jan 18, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
In honor of Malin's return to the LOD stage, Brian Fallon, Brian Baker and Pete Steinkopf have “conspired” to play a set of songs appropriate for the evening, according to organizers.
John Rzeznik, Dramarama, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Willie Nile, the Weeklings, James Maddock, Joe D’Urso, Williams Honor, Adam Ezra and more will also play. The Bruce Springsteen watch will certainly be on. He's often an unannounced performer at the show.
Bob's Birthday Bash is named for festival founder Bob Benjamin, an attendee of the show.
The Light of Day Winterfest begins Wednesday, Jan. 15, with Nile, John Easdale, Danielia Cotton, Adam Ezra, Joe D’Urso, Paul Collins, Will Dailey, Diane Gentile, Amanda Cross & Derek Cruz, and Pete Mancini in the Songwriters On The River show at City Winery Loft on New York City. The Kickoff show with James Maddock, Williams Honor, Jake Thistle Band, Matt O’Ree Band, Emily Grove, Dave Vargo, Sonia, Bob Polding, and Gabby & Fran follows on Thursday, Jan 16, at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.
Things kick into high gear, mostly in Asbury Park, after that. Visit lightofday.org for more info and tickets.