The Light of Day Foundation, Inc., utilizes the power of music to raise money and awareness in its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) within our lifetime. 

The Foundation’s mission is to fund research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from those illnesses, their families and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life. The primary fundraising efforts are an annual series of concerts held in Asbury Park, NJ. Since its inception in 2000, Light of Day has raised over $6.5 million in the fight to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. What began as a single concert in New Jersey has grown into approximately seventy shows in thirteen countries on 3 continents including North America, Europe and Australia!

The concerts and the organization began as a surprise birthday party planned by Tony Pallagrosi and Rich Russo in November 1998 at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank, NJ to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin. Benjamin had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and in lieu of gifts, asked that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Over $2,000 was raised that night. Spurred by the generosity and support, Benjamin reached out to friends, including concert promoter Tony Pallagrosi and musician Joe D’Urso, and formed the Light of Day charity, taking its name from a Bruce Springsteen song.

The first official Light of Day concert was held at Asbury Park, NJ’s legendary Stone Pony in November 2000 and primarily featured local, unsigned artists. The critically acclaimed Pittsburgh-based band Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (managed by Benjamin) headlined the show, which featured a surprise appearance by local hero Bruce Springsteen, who joined the Houserockers for a raucous hour-long set.

Over the years Light of Day has grown from a one-day event into a festival spanning 10 days in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area. More significantly, Light of Day has expanded into an internationally recognized tour, through a true grassroots effort of musicians, music fans and benefactors. Light of Day shows take place around the world on 3 continents, including six shows in Canada, an 18 day late November into December trek through Europe, with stops in England, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, plus a brand new Light of Day event in Australia! Portions of the proceeds from each show are donated to a local Parkinson's organization.

Performers at Light of Day have included Bruce Springsteen (numerous appearances), Michael J. Fox, John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Ed Kowalczyk (Live), Darlene Love, Southside Johnny, Jesse Malin, Alejandro Escovedo, Willie Nile, Garland Jeffreys, Jakob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Badly Drawn Boy, Pete Yorn, Gary US Bonds, Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan, John Eddie and many more local unsigned artists.

Light of Day also fields a team in the annual Parkinson's Unity Walk in New York's Central Park. Over the years the Light of Day team has raised $80,000, which helped the Walk raise over $3 million for Parkinson's research.

The Light of Day concerts have received print, online and television coverage from many outlets, including the Asbury Park Press, Rolling Stone, Time Magazine, Billboard, New York Times, NJ Star Ledger, Home News Tribune, Aquarian Weekly, New Jersey Monthly Magazine, Backstreets.com, CBS Early Show, NBC Nightly News, WWOR Channel 9 News and more.

An award-winning documentary about Bob’s battle with Parkinson’s and the history of Light of Day (with extensive concert footage) was produced by Ohio-based Flat Broke Productions and released on DVD by Virgil Films in 2012. To order, visit the Light of Day Store www.lightofday.org/store or buy directly from Virgil Films. http://www.virgilfilmsent.com.

Over the past several years, Light of Day has experienced significant growth on many levels, including awareness, events and charitable donations raised for Parkinson’s awareness and research. We expect continued growth in these areas for the coming year as well. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us.

Gifts to the Light of Day Foundation, Inc. are tax-deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS has designated the Light of Day Foundation Inc. as a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization. The Light of Day Foundation, Inc.'s Federal ID # is 20-1560386.
 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Director/Co-Founder: Tony Pallagrosi
President: Joe D'Urso  
Vice President: Michael DeGeorge
Treasurer: Robert McGrath
Secretary: Rob Dye 
Past President/Co-Founder: Jean Mikle

BOARD MEMBERS:

Brian Ansell
Bob Benjamin
Nick Contey
Daniela Cotton
Anthony D'Amato
Jason Dermer
Joe Grushecky
Mark Harrison
Ken Lesnik
Brian McGlinchey
Seth Saltzman
Cheryl Streich
Ronald Streich
Lynne Ward
Eiran Wolfman

 * click on name for email

FOUNDER: 

Bob Benjamin

LOD HISTORY

2000: Bob Benjamin and Tony Pallagrosi of Concerts East, Inc. organize the first official Light of Day concert at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park on Nov. 3 - Benjamin's birthday.  Headlining are Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, the Pittsburgh-based band managed by Benjamin. The show features an appearance by Bruce Springsteen, who joined the Houserockers for a late-night set that ends well after 2 a.m. The shows, named after a Springsteen song (and the title of a movie starring Fox and Joan Jett), raise funds for the ongoing fights against Parkinson's disease, PSP, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and related diseases. 

2001-2002: The show moves to the now-demolished Tradewinds in Sea Bright.

2003: LOD returns to the Stone Pony and becomes a two-day event. Actor Michael J. Fox, who also suffers from Parkinson's Disease, joins Grushecky, Springsteen and Benjamin on stage for a performance of the show's theme song. A CD featuring covers of Springsteen songs by various artists is released on Benjamin's own Schoolhouse Records label. The CD and a European version have sold over 30,000 units worldwide and raised an additional $150,000 for Parkinson's research and for the Kristen Ann Carr Fund. 

2004: LOD becomes a three-day event. Dozens of artists, including Gary U.S. Bonds, Garland Jeffreys, Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan, John Eddie, La Bamba and the Hubcaps, Marah, Soozie Tyrell, Highway 9, Boccigalupe and the Badboys, Dan Bern, Willie Nile, Pete Yorn, Robert Earl Keen, Southside Johnny and Jesse Malin perform. 

2005: The Light of Day series expands significantly, featuring one show at the Stone Pony and two shows at a new venue, the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. Light of Day produces its first show outside of New Jersey with a show at the House of Blues on the famed Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. The inaugural West Coast show featured appearances by Lucinda Williams, Jakob Dylan, Dave Alvin and Peter Himmleman. The first international event is also held in Rome in December 2005. 

2006:  All three Light of Day shows, including an opening night acoustic "Writers in the Raw" event, are held at Starland Ballroom. Light of Day is moved to early December in 2006 for the first time, to give founder Bob Benjamin more time to recover from DBS surgery for Parkinson's. The international shows grow into a second show in Rome and inaugural dates in London and Barcelona. 

2007: Light of Day 8 features two days of concerts at the Starland Ballroom on Nov. 1 and 2, 2007. The first night features an acoustic format while the second night hosts rock performances by artists, including Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Gary U.S. Bonds and Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan. A week of shows in Europe and two performances in Canada round out the year's events. 

2008: Light of Day 9 begins with a rare intimate acoustic performance by multiplatinum Grammy-winning artist John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) at Asbury Park's Paramount Theater. D'Urso and Stone Caravan, Willie Nile, Jesse Malin and Joe Grushecky perform stirring sets, interspersed with acoustic performers throughout the night, followed by a marathon concert at the Stone Pony with over 20 acts during the day/night show. 

2010: Light of Day’s 10th Anniversary is pushed from its November timeframe to January with shows in Asbury Park during Martin Luther King Day weekend. Performers at the Pony include Boccigalupe and The Boys, JoBonanno and the Godsons of Soul, River City Extension and the Tangiers Blues Band (featuring Danny Clinch). The main show at the Paramount Theatre features Ed Kowalczyk, the lead singer for Live, who performs a rare solo acoustic set. Other performers on bill include Joe D'Urso, Willie Nile, Jesse Malin and Joe Grushecky. Bruce Springsteen once again is unannounced but in -house. He joins in with Nile and Malin before ending the marathon by sitting in with Grushecky and his band for a one-hour- plus spot.

2011: Light of Day 11 follows the same format as the previous year but with shows added at the Wonder Bar and the Stone Pony. The Saturday night show features many of the same performers, and Alejandro Escovedo, an Austin, Texas- based roots rock legend, is the special guest on the Paramount bill. Perennial unannounced guest Bruce Springsteen reprises his guest spots with Malin and Nile and also joins Escovedo for an acoustic duet. Grushecky and the Houserockers close the night, and Springsteen joins them for a lengthy set that ends with all the night's perfomers, plus the whole Paramount audience, joining in a sing-a-long of Springsteen's "Thunder Road." 

2012: Blues legend David Bromberg headlines the 2012 show which also features sets by Garland Jeffreys, Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Southside Johnny and the Poor Fools, Willie Nile with Bruce Springsteen sitting in for cameo performances with Jeffreys and Nile and finally joining Grushecky and the Houserockers for an over two-hour set. The night ends with a rollicking “Twist and Shout” anchored by the E Street Band’s Max Weinberg on drums. The Asbury Park City Council proclaims the entire week “Light of Day Week.” 

2013: Light of Day features a headlining appearance by Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and rock and roll pioneer Darlene Love, who performs an hour-long set of her girl-group classics. In addition, concerts are held at multiple Asbury Park venues, including the Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, Langosta Lounge, McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Grille, Asbury Lanes, Dauphin Grille, Watermark and Toast. The nearly weeklong run of events is declared “Light of Day Week” by the Asbury Park City Council for the second consecutive year. Light of Day increases its presence outside of the United States. The November/December 2013 Europe tour expanded to 15 shows/15 cities in 11 countries, with appearances from Mike Peters, Badly Drawn Boy and Tim ‘Ledfoot’ Scott McConnell joining Guy Davis, Jesse Malin, Joe D’Urso and Rob Dye at various stops. Light of Day Canada increases its presence, with shows in Niagara Falls, Toronto, Halifax, Kingston and Hamilton, featuring solid performances from Sam Roberts Band, Peter Elkas, Anthony D’Amato, John Eddie, Joe Grushecky, Eddie Manion and more. This year saw the first annual Light of Day event in Australia, held in July in Victoria, raising $4600. 

2014: LOD welcomes the return of John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls as the headlining act in a rare solo setting. Springsteen makes a return appearance, performing the Ramones classic “Rock and Roll Radio” with Jesse Malin and “One Guitar” with Willie Nile before joining Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers for an intense 90 minute set featuring rarely played songs “Save My Love,” “Frankie Fell In Love” and “Hearts of Stone.” The weeklong series of shows features over 100 artists performing in 50 shows in multiple clubs throughout Asbury Park (plus a show at NYC’s Cutting Room), and raises over $425,000 for Parkinson’s research. 

Other events of note in 2014: The Light of Day organization makes several large donations to other charitable Foundations: a matching $138,000 donation to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) and a $50,000 matching donation (in memory of Dolores Pallagrosi, mother to LOD board member Tony Pallagrosi) to the Cure PSP Foundation, which funds research and awareness for progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and other atypical Parkinsonian disorders. LOD board member/recording artist Joe Grushecky and his wife Leeann and family present LOD with a check donation for $15,000 after Joe's July 11th Stone Pony sellout show. The 5th Annual Happy Together concert held on June 28th at The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, featuring The Turtles, Chuck Negron from Three Dog Night, Mark Farner from Grand Funk Railroad, Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels and Gary Lewis and The Playboys generates $10,000 for the LOD Foundation. LOD Board member Joe D’Urso donates $1000 from his 1st annual Rockland/Bergen Music Fest. LOD also sponsors a 5K Run/Walk in Toms River this past spring. 

2015: Light of Day becomes a nine-day event in the NJ/NY area and raises more than $500,000 for the first time. La Bamba and the Hubcaps, featuring members of the house band for the Conan O’Brian show and legendary Jersey Shore veteran musicians, headline the main event for LOD 15. Springsteen sits in with the band. Multiple shows are held in Asbury Park, plus a North Jersey show with Garland Jeffreys, James Maddock, Willie Nile, John Easdale and Joe D’Urso. A NYC show features Suzanne Vega, John Easdale and others at the Cutting Room. Legendary rock photographer Mark Weiss curates an online auction of rare signed photos from his private collection, which raises over $4000.  A comedy crawl at three NYC clubs features Rick Shapiro (who suffers from Parkinsons), Jim Gaffigan, Artie Lange and other noted comics.

2016: LOD expands to an 11-Day festival with 150 music acts performing in the NJ/NY/Philadelphia metro area, with over $500,000 raised in the battle against Parkinson's disease and related illnesses. Highlights include a first ever show in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live, a Main Event show in Asbury Park, NJ headlined by New Jersey's own The Smithereens, Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway showcase featuring Broadway performers and more. A short list of performers includes Steve Forbert, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, Rob Hyman, Blake Morgan, Ben Arnold, Willie Nile, James Maddock, Jesse Malin Band, Jill Hennessey, Marc Ribler & Friends, Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan, Dramarama, Billy Hector Band, The Beach Nuts, Billy Walton Band, Garland Jeffreys, Slim Chance and The Gamblers,  Sandy Mack Allstars, Sonny Kenn, The Weeklings. LOD EUROPE continues to expand with a late November/early December 2015 tour which includes 16 cities in 10 countries. Performers include three members of Bruce Springsteen's bands: saxophonists Eddie Manion and Jake Clemons, plus original E Street Band drummer Vini Lopez. Also on the tour is renowned songwriter/musician Eric Bazilian of the Hooters.

2017: Light of Day WinterFest raised over a half million dollars for the third straight year, catapulting its 17-year cumulative total past the $4.5 million mark. In addition to over 35 different shows in its home base in Asbury Park, the 11-day festival also included shows in Philadelphia, New York and Montclair, NJ. The main event featured a headlining performance by Jake Clemons, saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, who debuted songs from his latest release Fear & Love. Albert Lee, Peter Asher, Chuck Prophet, Joe D’Urso, Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky, James Maddock, Jeffrey Gaines, Jessie Malin, Ed Manion, Hollis Brown, The Weeklings and other critically-acclaimed independent artists delivered stirring performances in multiple venues throughout the week. Noted photographer and NJ native Danny Clinch premiered classic portraits featuring Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Foo Fighters and many more at the debut of Transparent: Danny Clinch in the Gallery at his new storefront location adjacent to the recently renovated Asbury Hotel. Prior to the January events, multiple Light of Day veteran artists traveled throughout Europe on a 17-day tour, led by Joe D’Urso and featuring original E Street Band Vini Lopez, along with E Street sax player Ed Manion, Ben Arnold, Jeffrey Gaines, Rob Dye and local artists appearances at each stop. Strong partnerships with local Parkinson's organizations at each stop (Scotland, Ireland, England, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland) spread the message of raising money and awareness to defeat Parkinson's disease and its related illnesses ALS and PSP within our lifetime. LOD continued its activities with other events throughout the year.  In 2017, LOD partnered with two local groups in Florida for two intimate shows for the second year, the first in Palm Island and the second in Boca Raton. LOD continued its foray into the sporting and recreation world, hosting a golf outing at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune in October and a family-friendly mini-golf tournament in Ortley Beach, NJ in June. A Happy Together concert in Red Bank featuring several classic '60s artists also raised money for LOD. Finally, the Light of Day spirit continues to shine in Canada and Australia through multiple shows with our sister organizations in those countries. In 2018, Light of Day WinterFest is expected to push the 18-year total past $5 million. 

2018: LOD rolled into its 18^th year with another successful festival series in the tri-state NJ/NY/Philly area, raising another $450K and bringing our cumulative total to over $5 million. Musical highlights included La Bamba, Joe Grushecky, the Guitar Army (featuring John Jorgenson, Lee Roy Parnell and Joe Robinson), Greg Kihn, Jeffrey Gaines, Ben Arnold, Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan, Vini Lopez, Willie Nile, Remember Jones, Gary US Bonds and many more. Unique shows included a tribute to Prince featuring Quincy Mumford, a night of Led Zeppelin featuring Kashmir, a night of cover songs at the Silverball Musuem pinball arcade, the Blue Hawk Records showcase featuring Monmouth University student bands, Kids Rock showcase at the Stone Pony and multiple singer/songwriter events as part of the Asbury Underground in downtown Asbury Park shops. LOD continues to build on its success and the grassroots efforts of fans and supporters with shows in Boca Raton, the Happy Together concert, a mini-golf family event at Barnacle Bill’s in Ortley Beach, a golf outing in Neptune.

Most importantly, LOD continues its support of Boxing for Bob, a program founded by LOD. Facilities in Forked River and Howell are funded by LOD donations and help those with Parkinson’s by using light boxing regiments and movement exercises on a weekly basis. It is LOD’s goal to expand and fulfill this need in several other Monmouth and Ocean county locations.

2019: LOD moves into its 19th year with another successful Winterfest week with many artists returning for multiple shows. Philadelphia's Low Cut Connie tears it up on the Paramount Stage with a theatrical show that recalls the best of '70's style arena rock. Throughout the year, LOD continues to build on its success and the grassroots efforts of fans and supporters with shows in Boca Raton, the Happy Together concert, a mini-golf family event at Barnacle Bill’s in Ortley Beach, a golf outing in Neptune. LOD's Boxing for Bob remains operational, funding those with Parkinson's to use light boxing and movement exercises as therapy.

2020: Bruce Springsteen returns to support LOD in our 20th year, performing a fun-filled set with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, and guesting with perennial favorites Jesse Malin and Willie Nile. Other highlights of the Main Event include The Weeklings, James Maddock, Dramarama and acoustic performances from Matt Jaffe, Miss Emily, Williams Honor, Brian Dunne, Adam Ezra, Lisa Bouchelle and more.

2021: LOD moves to a virtual format with a three-day streaming event, LOD Winter "Love Fest," broadcasting on LOD's Facebook and YouTube pages.

2022: LOD returns to a live in-person format in March, with shows in Asbury Park, Montclair, NYC. The main event, 'Bob's Birthday Bash,' shifts from Asbury Park's Paramount Theatre to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, with performances from many LOD favorites. LOD donates $100k to the Parkinson's Foundation, along with other donations to CurePSP, Joan D'Ancy's PALS and the Boxing For Bob program. LOD Europe returns for its most successful tour.

2023: LOD23 features legendary rocker John Waite, who performed a riveting set of classics to a sold-out crowd during the main event at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Asbury Park shows flourish with high attendance at many of the smaller club shows at the Wonder Bar, McLoone's Supper Club, Langosta Lounge, The Stone Pony and more.

 

Donations to Light of Day can be made on our donate page here.