Just Before The Dawn (2017)

Just Before The Dawn: Riot, Redemption, Rock & Roll is the story of the Upstage Club on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park from 1968 to 1971. It didn’t serve alcohol and was open all night long. It became the venue where young artists like Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Southside Johnny Lyon, Garry Tallent, Danny Federici and others would jam together for hours until dawn. Just Before the Dawn, was directed by Tom Jones, includes exclusive interviews with many musicians who helped create the aura of the Upstage. But Just Before The Dawn is more than just the history of the Upstage Club. It’s the story of how Asbury Park was divided along racial lines and how tensions built until the city was torn apart by the riots of 1970. It’s about how the riots impacted Asbury Park for years to come and how music is leading the way to restore and rebuild the city.

Classic Urban Harmony’s Charlie Horner appears on screen in the film, talking about the long history of music in Asbury Park’s predominantly African American West Side. The film had its World Premiere on Friday, April 21 at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park during the 2017 Asbury Park Music & Film Festival. The screening was followed by a live jam session by musicians who once played at the Upstage Club, including Southside Johnny, Steven van Zandt, David Sancious, Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez, Ernest “Boom” Carter and a surprise appearance by Bruce Springsteen.

Watch a short trailer to the film (below), including a scene with Charlie Horner.

Here are some photos from the filming of Just Before The Dawn, done at the Asbury Park Public Library.