When everyone is having a blast while immersing themselves into the music at the Light of Day Festival, Tony Pallagrosi is all business. The co-founder and executive director of the altruistic festival is always putting out fires."
"I'm running the whole thing and so my head is all over the place," Pallagrosi said. "I don't usually get to enjoy the show."
However, the trumpet player, who was part of Southside Johnny's Asbury Jukes and the Miami Horns, finally had some fun at the conclusion of the Light of Day show at the Count Basie in January of 2020.
"That was one of the coolest things ever," Pallagrosi recalled."I got to stand right next to Bruce (Springsteen) when we did 'Thunder Road.' When Bruce is at Light of Day he normally ends with 'Thunder Road.' Everybody who is backstage comes out for 'Thunder Road." But I got to stand next to Bruce and sing. It was an amazing and surreal moment."
There have been many great performances and memories for the Light of Day which is a fundraiser to help find a cure for Parkinson's Disease and related disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease and PSP.(Progressive supranuclear palsy). The latter of which is what Pallagrosi's mother suffered from. The Light of Day concert provides hope for the myriad of folks impacted by the diseases.
The light turned on in 1998 at a birthday party for Bob Benjamin and has never been extinguished. The light became brighter in 2000 at the first official Light of Day concert at the Stone Pony in 2000.
Joe Grushecky was part of that show. The veteran Pittsburgh rocker never would have guessed the fundraiser would continue for more than a quarter century.
"That is so true," Grushecky said while calling from his Pittsburgh home. "It all started with a bunch of musicians ill equipped to do anything. We've basically been there from the start. I was asked to headline the Pony and Bruce (Springsteen) and I were hanging out a lot during those days and he showed up. Who would ever guess that show would turn into a festival?"
Light of Day turned into a fest due to the cause.
Grushecky is managed by Bob Benjamin, who co-founded the Light of Day Foundation, which raises funds, $7.5 million to date, to battle the diseases
Benjamin was initially stricken with Parkinson's in 1996. "I threw Bob a surprise birthday party with Rich Russo," Pallagrosi said from his Ocean Township home. "That was the genesis of Light of Day."
Benjamin is hanging in there nearly 40 years after his diagnosis.
"It's heartbreaking what happened with Bob," Grushecky said. "He was such a vibrant person, who had so much energy. To see him hobbled the way he is now is so difficult. But give the guy credit. He doesn't give up. Parkinson's is heartbreaking but Bob is so inspirational. It's tough because I was hoping more progress would be made in the battle against Parkinson's but we're going to keep coming back until there's a cure."
Light of Day's winter festival, which is slated for various Asbury Park venues from January 14-24. The event culminates with Bob's Birthday bash January 17 at the Basie. It's Benjamin's birthday celebration, even though he was born in November.
The Light of Day has been held annually in Asbury Park or Sayreville. "I didn't like it in Sayreville," Grushecky said. "It didn't feel right because it wasn't Asbury Park. But since Light of Day returned to Asbury Park, it feels really good performing there. I look forward to it each year. You never know what will happen."
Will Springsteen, who has been a semi-regular at Light of Day, perform at the Birthday Bash? Perhaps the Boss has come out so often since his late father had Parkinson's, which was revealed in Springsteen's tremendous autobiography, "Born to Run."
"I would imagine it does have an effect on him," Grushecky said. "You would have to ask Bruce if it hits that close to home. It must make an impact on you. It's always amazing sharing a stage with Bruce."
Unlike Pallagrosi, Grushecky has performed with Springsteen more than 50 times over the last generation. However, it's always a special experience for the gritty Grushecky, who always appreciates stage time with the Boss.
"Playing with Bruce is like playing baseball with Mickey Mantle at Yankee Stadium or in my case, Roberto Clemente at Forbes Field," Grushecky said. "When Bruce does your songs, it's phenomenal."
Pallagrosi appreciates any time Springsteen can come out and donate his time to the cause. "This organization is very connected to Bruce," Pallagrosi said. "Bruce has been our angel. He's carried our banner literally around the world. I don't know if we would be doing this show without him."
Springsteen is part of Light of Day when he can make the scene. Grushecky, singer-songwriters Joe D'Urso, who is also managed by Benjamin and Willie Nile never miss the event.
"We come back since the Light of Day is bigger than us," Grushecky said. "It's part of a strong community, which is Asbury Park. We keep coming back since we want to win this battle."
But it's also a good time for Grushecky since he has no problem making the six-hour drive on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey turnpikes since he has the opportunity to return to his home away from home, Asbury Park.
"Everyone is such good friends," Grushecky said. "It's a homecoming. It's an annual reunion. New people come in every year but they come and go but there is a core of us that are really good friends. The bonus for me is that I love the area."
Almost everyone that is part of Light of Day is from Asbury Park or is at least within the tri-state area. Grushecky is the outlier. But he's an honorary Asbury Park citizen since he has frequented the Central and South Jersey shore since the '60s. That's not the norm for those from Pittsburgh, who normally hit the Outer Banks or Ocean City, Maryland for vacation
"But it was always New Jersey for me," Grushecky said. "I spent two whole summers, the summers of '68 and '69 at the Jersey Shore. I went to Atlantic City during the summer of '68 and bought my first telecaster there."
Grushecky has vacationed in Asbury Park or Monmouth Beach every summer since 1993, save 2020. "I love it there," Grushecky said. "I'll do a show and we'll stay for the week during the summer. During the winter I return for the Light of Day."
It's that time of year again for Light of Day, which was not originally set in January. The event was once in December. "But there are so many things happening in December in Asbury Park," Pallagrosi said. "It's better that it's in January since it's the event of the month."
But it's a lot of heavy lifting for Pallagrossi but he keeps coming back but he wishes that Light of Day 2026 will be the last event since that would mean a cure is discovered.
For more Light of Day information, go to https://www.lightofday.org
"I was hoping more progress would be made in the battle against Parkinson's but we're going to keep coming back until there's a cure."
One of the highlights of Light of Day is the camaraderie onstage. It doesn't matter if it's Joe Grushecky with Bruce Springsteen or Joe D'Urso with Gary U.S. Bonds. The recording artists, who donate their time for this wonderful event, have such a blast in the moment. They create indelible memories for fans by living in the moment. The music is a bonus on top of the dialogue between the recording artists.