STARS DESCEND ON RED BANK TO HONOR STEVIE VAN ZANDT

A cavalcade of stars from Jersey and beyond descended on Red Bank’s Count Basie Center for the Arts Saturday to honor rocker and actor Stevie Van Zandt — and support arts education, his favorite cause —as a plaque honoring him became the latest addition to the theater’s “Walk of Fame.”

 

Jon Bon Jovi helped unveil the plaque on the Monmouth Street sidewalk and jokingly toasted Van Zandt as part of a trinity, along with Bruce Springsteen and “Southside” Johnny Lyon, that replaced the names he was taught as a young Catholic kid doing the sign of the cross. 

 

Jersey City kid Robert “Kool” Bell boasted on the red carpet about Jersey moxie and performed at a post-unveiling gala on the Basie stage along with his band Kool & The Gang.

 

Comedian Pete Davidson contended with autograph seekers at the theater’s back entrance before hosting a Teachers Hall of Fame celebration. Rocker Tom Morello helped celebrate  the night’s cause de celebre: “Teach Rock” the arts ducation foundation Van Zandt founded.

 

Oh, and of course, Bruce showed up to play a couple of songs. 

Van Zandt described it all as a full-circle moment.

 

He recalled growing up in Middletown and coming to the Basie (then named the Carlton Theater) to see the Beatles movies “Hard Days Night” and “Help” and the film “The Nutty Professor” for the first time. 

 

“You know, the important classics that shape your life,” he quipped.  “I guess one way to find out you’re getting old is they start putting your name on sidewalks.”

The Walk of Fame was created as part of the theater’s 100th anniversary celebration. Honorees are chosen for their ties to the local community, their performances at the Basie or their role in the history of the Basie Center. 

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Steven Van Zandt,” said Count Basie Center for the Arts President and CEO Adam Philipson 

Besides his countless performances at the theater alongside Springsteen and his own band Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Van Zandt is a former member of the theater’s board of trustees. 

Van Zandt founded Teach Rock, his national educational non-profit, out of frustration with how budget cuts and staff cuts affected school arts and music programs nationwide. 

In his address before the plaque unveiling Van Zandt called teachers, “the front line against ignorance.”

“Teachers change lives every day, usually without anybody applauding them for it,” he said.  “This night is about changing that.”

The event included the first Teach Rock Teachers Hall of Fame inductions. The class includes Tanya Peterson of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Asbury Park, New Jersey, recipient of the Joy in Learning Award; Kathy Durham of West Wendover High School in West Wendover, Nevada, recipient of the Trailblazer Award; and Patrick “Mac” McGuire of Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recipient of the Impact Award.

Mary Morello was honored posthumously with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a career defined by lasting impact and an unwavering belief in the power of education. The gala also honored Kevin Keyes, long-serving TeachRock board member and Honorary Event Chairman.

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editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.