Springsteen Plays Surprise Clemons Tribute Set

Last night in Asbury Park, NJ around 400 lucky people at the Wonder Bar caught Bruce Springsteen playing an energetic 45 minute tribute to his recently deceased side man the great Clarence "Big Man" Clemons.

After watching a performance of "You're A Friend Of Mine" by the headliners J.T. Bowen and the Soul Cruisers from the side of the stage The Boss emerged and ripped through a number of soul and R&B classics with the band including "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" (The Temptations), "Sweet Soul Music" (Arthur Conley), "Shake" (Sam Cooke) and Eddie Floyd's "Raise Your Hand," "Knock On Wood" and "634-5789". The band with The Boss also performed Springsteen's own "Action In The Streets" and "Savin' Up," which Springsteen wrote for Clemons and the Red Bank Rockers to use on their 1983 album, "Rescue."

It wasn't a complete surprise that Bruce would be in attendance as the opening act was a performance by Clance Clemon's son Nick Clemons and Bruce has been known to show up at some of Asbury Park's juke joints in the past. This performance is particularly of note as this is Springsteen's first performance since Clemons' passing June 18th besides from Clarence's funeral on June 21st, where he played "10th Avenue Freeze-Out" and "You're A Friend Of Mine."

You can check out videos from the performance below.