Inside Stories
Who Was That Guy?
by Capitol Theatre co-founder Al Hayward
This is my favorite story. It
didn’t take place at the Capitol Theatre but producing
concerts there was directly responsible for this “mind
blowing” event.
Back in those days concert promoters like
me and John Scher could supply our own opening acts to play
before the headline acts. This gave us a great tool to sign
young upcoming talent. We could promise instant exposure at the
Capitol, before a big audience and billing along with a big
name band.
John, who was not much of a bar person,
would visit the coffee houses in the Village looking for
talent. Since I was 12 years older than John, I felt more
comfortable in the bar scene. If we could sign up a future star
as their manager and then have them open for a big name
group at the Capitol it was a win-win situation. The performer
could get great exposure and we could some day make a lot of
money.
One night I checked out a bar and a band
at the Jersey Shore. I believe the club was called “The
Stone Pony” in Asbury Park. After watching them
play I was very impressed. Especially with one of the band
members. I thought that he had a load of talent and I asked him
if he had a manager. He said no, so I told him about John and
me and the Capitol Theatre. He said he was very interested in
talking to us.
A few days later I set up a meeting with John, me and this musician at Monarch Entertainment, which was then located in East Orange. We spoke for awhile and he left. John said he would go listen to him play and let me know what he thought. He went and listened and told me that he didn’t think we should offer to manage him. I didn’t agree with John but we were partners and he was in charge of booking the acts. I called the young musician and told him the bad news. Just in case you are wondering, his name is Bruce Springsteen. You know the rest!!!