Friday, October 20, 2006
Springsteen snapshots
RUMSON, N.J. -- There is Bruce Springsteen, leaning against a counter in a diner, looking young and hopeful in a black-and-white snapshot taken at the Jersey Shore in 1978.
In another series of color photos, the E Street Band and friends are playing softball for a team called the E Street Kings. Bruce, wearing a yellow cap, is swinging a bat.
The hardcover book, titled "Greetings from E Street," contains dozens of photos of the Boss and his band, mostly from the collection of Danny Federici, a band member and organ player.
Author Robert Santelli, a former music critic at the Asbury Park Press, said his favorite pictures are the softball montage.
"The sense of fun and camaraderie was always evident to me, and I think these pictures show it," he said.
Springsteen, a Freehold native, is of course New Jersey's most famous rocker.
He rose to fame playing in clubs around Asbury Park, and Santelli's book tells the story of the E Street Band in photos and obscure reproductions. Those include a replica napkin from the Stone Pony and a "free pass" to a show any Friday in September 1971 at an address in Asbury Park.
The 80-page book, published by Chronicle Books, sells for 35.
Jay-Z to pitch beer
ST. LOUIS -- From Cristal to Budweiser? Anheuser-Busch has hired Jay-Z as its new co-brand director for Budweiser Select, banking on his celebrity and entrepreneurial expertise to help lift its beer brand.
Marlene Coulis, the company's vice president of brand management, said Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is a great entrepreneur with expertise in pop culture, music and business.
"He's got great appeal," she told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, adding that Jay-Z can help Anheuser-Busch "reach people in groundbreaking ways."
The respected entrepreneur already oversees Rocawear, his multimillion-dollar clothing company. He's part-owner of the New Jersey Nets and the frontman for Def Jam Recordings.
"It's a pretty significant experiment," said Brian Till, marketing department chairman at Saint Louis University.
Till said Jay-Z's popularity would influence young adults to choose Budweiser Select over other brands. The nation's largest brewer, based in St. Louis, also plans to launch an online entertainment site called Bud.TV, aimed at 20-somethings.
Anheuser-Busch officials said Jay-Z would help in development sessions and offer his insights. The company would not give other details on his role.
Today's birthdays
Columnist Art Buchwald is 81. Actor William Christopher is 74. Country singer Wanda Jackson is 69. Singer Tom Petty is 56. Actress Melanie Mayron is 54. Baseball All-Star Keith Hernandez is 53. Actor Viggo Mortensen is 48. Rock musician Jim Sonefeld (Hootie & amp; The Blowfish) is 42. Rock musician David Ryan (The Lemonheads) is 42. Rock musician Doug Eldridge (Oleander) is 39. Rapper Snoop Dogg is 35. Singer Dannii Minogue is 35. Country musician Jeff Loberg is 30. Actor John Krasinski is 27. Actress Jennifer Nicole Freeman ("My Wife and Kids") is 21.
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