Pre-Show Show Gang of Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band take center stage at benefit

The E Street Band Pre-Show Show Gang is bringing the pre-show to center stage.

Anthony Almonte, Curtis King Jr. and Ozzie Melendez of the touring E Street Band, who have been lighting up social media with their pre-Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band show song and dance routines backstage, will perform Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Cutting Room in New York City. The Stand With Teachers benefit supports Seven Van Zandt's TeachRock educational initiatives in New York City's 130 schools.

The evening will be emceed by E Street Band member Jake Clemons, and photographer Danny Clinch will receive the TeachRock Visionary Award.

Pre-Show Show Gang members often bring behind the scenes touring members (people you do not see on stage) into the skits, and sometimes other band members, like Nils Lofgren.

“I looked at what they were doing and I came up with an idea where I do 'Ramrod,' which is one my favorite songs to play, and at the end the jam goes on and on and Bruce is milking the crowd so I started doing a Morris Day and the Time dance,” Lofgren said.

“Anthony and Ozzie saw that and said 'Man, that's great, let’s do a pre-show show with that.' I don't know what we're doing next but it's great to have so many talented musicians deeply engaged in being on the road with an incredible band.”

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The current E Street Band tour is on hiatus as Springsteen recovers from a bout with peptic ulcer disease.

Tickets for the Pre-Show Show Gang at the Cutting Room, 44 E. 32nd St., start at $350 and go up to $25,000, which includes tickets for a 2024 Springsteen and the E Street Band tour show.

Visit teachrock.org/swt for more info.

The TeachRock education program uses American music as a foundation for lessons in civics, literature, history, sociology and more.

The Pre-Show Shows are posted on the social media accounts of percussionist Almonte and trombonist Melendez. Almonte is also a member of Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul and Springsteen's Nightshift Band; Melendez has performed with Marc Anthony and Blood, Sweat and Tears; and King has been taking center stage on the tour with Springsteen on their cover of "Night Shift."

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Pre-Show Show Gang of Springsteen, E Street Band to play benefit