Bruce Springsteen Surprises at Stand Up for Heroes Fundraiser with Solo Acoustic Set at Lincoln Center
Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at the Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser for the Bob Woodruff Foundation on November 6, 2023, at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall in New York City. Despite not being billed as a performer, Springsteen joined John Mellencamp on stage to perform the song Wasted Days from Mellencamp’s recent album. Springsteen then treated the audience to a set of four solo acoustic songs and his trademark ribald double-entendre jokes.
Dressed in black and displaying no signs of his recent peptic ulcer disease, Springsteen captivated the audience with his powerful voice and flawless performance. He performed the live debut of Addicted to Love, a gentle ballad from the romantic-comedy film She Came to Me. He also showcased his sweet vibrato on Power of Prayer from the E Street Band’s album Letter to You, and rocked the stage with Working on the Highway on his Takamine acoustic guitar.
Springsteen kept the audience entertained with his wit, sharing jokes between songs. One of his jokes, If at first you don’t succeed, don’t try to sky dive, drew laughter from the crowd. The Stand Up for Heroes event, which is part of the New York Comedy Festival, raises funds for veterans causes.
Springsteen’s surprise appearance came after the show was briefly paused due to a medical emergency in the audience. Once the issue was resolved, Jon Stewart reintroduced John Mellencamp, who then introduced Springsteen to the delight of the audience.
Before Springsteen took the stage, the married duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, known as the War and Treaty, delivered an emotionally charged performance. Michael, a veteran who fought in Iraq, shared his personal experiences and the healing power of music. Other notable performers at the event included Josh Groban, Rita Wilson, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Carr, Ronny Chieng, Shane Gillis, and comedian Jon Stewart. First Lady Jill Biden and Prince Harry also made taped appearances.
In addition to the captivating performances, Craigslist founder Craig Newmark made a remarkable $10 million donation to support the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s efforts in improving mental health for veterans. The foundation brings together leaders from various sectors to support veterans and their families.
The Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser is dedicated to Bob Woodruff, an ABC correspondent who was injured while reporting in Iraq in 2006. Woodruff’s journey back to Iraq is explored in a new ABC special, After the Blast: The Will to Survive, premiering on November 10, 2023.
Looking ahead, Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, a member of Springsteen’s E Street Band, has been announced as the headline act for the upcoming Light of Day Bob’s Birthday Bash on January 20, 2024, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Tickets for the event will go on sale on November 10, 2023.
Bruce Springsteen’s surprise appearance at the Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser was undoubtedly a highlight of the evening. His soulful performance and infectious energy left the audience in awe and further demonstrated his unwavering support for veterans causes.
