Annual Fundraiser Supports an End to Parkinson’s, Other Diseases
By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – Since its humble beginnings more than 25 years ago, the Light of Day Foundation has raised more than $7 million in its quest to end Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and PSA (progressive supranuclear palsy).
What started as a one-off concert has now grown into a 10-day festival, including international shows, in which a portion of the proceeds is donated to a local Parkinson’s organization.
This year, the event drew Bruce Springsteen back to the Basie stage in Red Bank, where he dedicated one of his songs to Renee Good, the woman killed by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis Jan. 7.
This year’s Light of Day Winterfest concerts were held in various locations in Asbury Park, Montclair and New York City, with the main event taking place Jan. 17 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. Titled “Bob’s Birthday Bash,” it featured John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers with special guest Gary U.S. Bonds, Dramarama, Fantastic Cat, James Maddock, Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan, Williams Honor, Remember Jones and many others.
“It feels really good because it’s all about giving,” Nile said during a recent appearance with Light of Day co-founder Tony Pallagrosi on CBS Saturday Morning. “It’s like a community of people looking to find a cure for Parkinson’s and ALS. It’s meaningful. It’s fun to play music, but to play music for a good cause and see it grow like this, it’s just been very rewarding.”
The fundraising effort began in 1998, when Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers performed at a surprise 40th birthday party for Bob Benjamin, planned by Pallagrosi and Rick Russo at the Downtown Café in Red Bank. Benjamin, who managed Grushecky’s band, had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. In lieu of gifts, they requested that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. More than $2,000 was raised that night.
The first official Light of Day concert was held at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park in November 2000, featuring local, unsigned artists. But a surprise appearance then by Springsteen turned it into a raucous, hour-long set. Since then, performers have included Michael J. Fox, Darlene Love, Southside Johnny, Jesse Malin, Alejandro Escovedo, Garland Jeffreys, Jakob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, John Eddie and Pete Yorn. Springsteen has appeared at more than half of the shows.
“It’s nonstop music from beginning to end,” said Pallagrosi.
At this year’s event, Springsteen performed with longtime friends Nile, Grushecky and Bonds. Among the numbers in his set were “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” “Atlantic City,” “Johnny 99” and “Thunder Road.” He also joined the ensemble in singing the song “Light of Day.”
He also took the opportunity to address the violence unfolding in Minneapolis, where residents have been protesting the actions of ICE agents in the city. He dedicated his song “The Promised Land” to the memory of Good.
“The United States – the ideals and the values for which it stood for the past 250 years – is being tested as it has never been in modern times,” said Springsteen. “Those values and those ideals have never been as endangered as they are right now. So as we gather tonight in this beautiful display of love and care and thoughtfulness and community; if you believe in democracy, in liberty; if you believe that truth still matters, and that it’s worth speaking out, and it’s worth fighting for; if you believe in the power of the law and that no one stands above it; if you stand against heavily armed masked federal troops invading American cities, and using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens; if you believe you don’t deserve to be murdered for exercising your American right to protest, then send a message to this president. And as the mayor of that city has said, ICE should get the f**k out of Minneapolis.”
But the Light of Day mission was at the core of the event.
Gordon Brown, who is in the band Williams Honor, spoke about the hope that inspired the evening. “Williams Honor was so proud to take part in one of the best LOD events of the last 26 years, and I’ve been there since day one,” Brown said.
“Many of our friends, comrades, and neighborhood heroes (are) leading the charge… And Bob Benjamin standing up on The Basie stage filled with hope, showing everyone to keep the faith! Our music community is one of the very few places left in the country that this kind of camaraderie still exists and can produce this kind of festival. It certainly gives us a lot of Jersey Pride,” he said.
The article originally appeared in the January 22 – 28, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
