Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt returns home to Monmouth County this Friday when Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul headline ParkStage in Freehold. The concert, originally scheduled for July 3 as part of New Jersey's America 250 celebration, was postponed because of extreme heat and will now take place July 17 at 5 pm. Van Zandt recently told NJArts.net the performance "could be the only Disciples gig, maybe, ever again," making the show especially significant for longtime fans.
Best known as Bruce Springsteen's longtime guitarist in the E Street Band, Van Zandt has been one of New Jersey's most influential musicians for more than five decades. While millions know him for performing alongside Springsteen, he also built a successful solo career with Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, blending rock, soul, rhythm and blues, and garage rock. Beyond music, Van Zandt earned critical acclaim portraying Silvio Dante on HBO's The Sopranos before starring in the Netflix series Lilyhammer.
Many fans are also wondering whether Bruce Springsteen might make an appearance. While nothing has been announced and no special guests have been confirmed, the longtime friendship between Springsteen and Van Zandt has fueled plenty of speculation ahead of Friday's show.
Van Zandt's friendship with Springsteen dates back to the Jersey Shore music scene of the late 1960s. Over the decades, he has been much more than a guitarist, serving as a songwriter, arranger, musical director, and one of Springsteen's closest collaborators. Together, they helped make the E Street Band one of rock's most celebrated live acts.
Friday's concert also features the Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with special guest Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings, creating a lineup that celebrates New Jersey's rich rock-and-roll legacy. You can buy tickets here.
The concert takes place at ParkStage, Monmouth County's new outdoor performance venue at the East Freehold Park Fairgrounds. Operated through a partnership between Monmouth County Tourism and the Count Basie Center for the Arts, ParkStage debuted this summer as part of New Jersey's America 250 celebration and is hosting a season of concerts featuring nationally recognized performers alongside community events.
