Bruce Springsteen vs. Max Weinberg: E Street Drummer Backs Republican

While Bruce Springsteen performed at several campaign stops recently for President Barack Obama (and Democrat), including a trio of stops yesterday, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg was tossing his support behind a Republican State Senate candidate on Monday evening.

According to NJ.com, Weinberg visited candidate Joseph Kyrillos, who is vying for the seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Senator Robert Menendez. The appearance was at a campaign event.

There wasn't much in the way of partisan band politics, though, because the event morphed into a fundraising and donation drive to help those affected by Superstorm Sandy.

"I know that (Gov. Chris Christie) was supposed to be here tonight, and he's New Jersey's number one Springsteen fan," Weinberg said. "I'm glad to be the second biggest Springsteen fan to be here to say thank you. New Jersey, and Monmouth and Ocean County, have shown solidarity, incredible hard work and resilience. The devastation is overwhelming. It's jaw dropping. But I must say that I was very proud of everything that occurred in New Jersey this week, particularly in Monmouth and Ocean."

Weinberg and Kyrillos met initially when the candidate purchased the Middletown home Weinberg lived at years ago. Kyrillos said Springsteen and the E Street Band "through their music are trying to make things better, as they always have."

The drummer also said Springsteen's recent performances of "My City of Ruins" have taken on a new meaning in light of the damage to New Jersey and the New York area.

In an odd twist, the storm has brought political opposites Christie and Springsteen together. Previously Springsteen had been averse to Christie's fandom and constant praise of his music during speeches, including at this year's Republican National Convention. Weinberg said things changed after the meeting between the two during Friday's nationally televised telethon to raise funds for Sandy relief.

"When we got done playing 'City of Ruins' on TV, and the cameras go dark when we come off the stage, there walking towards the stage was [Gov. Christie] and Mary Pat [Christie, the governor's wife]," Weinberg said. "To see Bruce and Chris embrace, and walk off together talking arm-in-arm about what has gone on here over the past week, was a beautiful tableau. That's what I believe the people of the world, apart from the destruction and all of the horrific images from the hurricane, that's what they remember about New Jersey."

Regardless of the Nov. 6 election outcome, Springsteen and The E Street Band will be back on the road as part of its Wrecking Ball world tour Nov. 11 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The trek is slated to conclude in Mexico City on Dec. 10.

Springsteen Plays for Obama Supporters