Springsteen Jams, Auctions Lasagna Dinners at His Home at Stand Up for Heroes Benefit
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Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Bruce Springsteen, Louis CK, Daily Show host Jon Stewart and other celebrities saluted the troops in New York City during Wednesday night’s 8th annual Stand Up for Heroes benefit, spearheaded by ABC News journalist, and Iraq war casualty, Bob Woodruff.
The collaboration between the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which is dedicated to helping injured GIs and their families, and the New York Comedy Festival, was held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Bruce went unplugged for a set that included “Born in the U.S.A,” and also auctioned off a pair of packages that will give access to The Boss that would make any fan swoon. Two deep-pocketed donors snagged a pair of his guitars, an hour-long guitar lesson, a lasagna dinner at his house, and a “ride around the block” in the sidecar of his motorcycle.
“You can have a guitar lesson, or simply waste my time,” quipped Springsteen, who played the riff to “Mystery Train” in the background on one of his trademark yellow Fender Telecasters as the high-dollar bids rolled in.
Both packages sold for $300,000 each. The benefit — which also took in money raised at 200 participating restaurants — reportedly generated more than six million dollars for the cause.
Nearly 100 injured service members and their caregivers were on hand in the front rows of the venue. The crowd reportedly rose to its feet at the sight of Marine Capt. Derek Herrera, who has been paralyzed from the chest down after being shot in Afghanistan in 2012, walking across the stage with the help of a specially designed exo-skeleton.
The night also featured a moment of silence for former participant Robin Williams, and unexpectedly, a rendition of “Chairman of the Board” Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” — belted out by none other than Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey.
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