By Jesse Broome
Bea Slater, a Springfield resident for over 65 years, may have grown up listening to Frank Sinatra, but she fell in love with Rock 'n' Roll. So, how does a 90-year-old end up on stage to introduce Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul?
Bea’s relationship with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Steven Van Zandt began with her son, Mitch Slater of Westfield, NJ. He has been a fan of “The Boss” since his first album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., and introduced his mother to his music. From then, both shared their love for the New Jersey rockstar, and attended Bruce’s concert for Bea’s 85th birthday.
For Bea’s 90th birthday, Mitch had another surprise for his mother. He collected birthday wishes from friendships he had made with celebrities such as The E Street Band’s Steven Van Zandt, Rachel Ray, and Larry King as part of a video montage. Then, he encouraged his mother to tape a video for Steven Van Zandt. So, Bea put on her Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul t-shirt and said some kind words for Steven and his band. After watching the video, Steven Van Zandt asked Mitch if she would be willing to introduce him and his band at an upcoming show. Bea’s answer? “I’ll do it.”
Bea was provided with a script and, with her son Mitch by her side, made her way to the concert venue on Staten Island early to rehearse with Steven Van Zandt himself. Bea recalled the day’s events with a bit of trepidation, but lots of enthusiasm.
“It was a real excitement for me. It was a gorgeous and big theater. Steven was great; he kept telling me, ‘Don’t be nervous’ in rehearsal. He is one of the nicest people and it was a terrific crowd. I didn’t want to disappoint him. It was a good feeling.”
Bea struck a chord with the crowd because they cheered as she introduced herself and the band. They also waited for her after the show to show their appreciation and take selfies with Springfield’s star.
If you didn’t get to see Bea at the Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul concert, don’t worry! Bea was recently filmed with her granddaughter, Fannie Slater, doing a cooking segment on the Food Network. Fannie Slater was the 2014 winner of Rachel Ray’s Great American Cookbook Competition, which she entered after receiving the information from of her grandmother.
Want to see Bea on stage, introducing Steven Van Zandt? Click on the following link to YouTube: https://youtu.be/D90WbPxdnTI.
