Asbury Park: Riot, Redemption, Rock & Roll is a documentary film that tells the story of Asbury Park, a town on the New Jersey shore that was once a thriving resort destination, but fell on hard times in the 1960s and '70s due to a troubled economy, political corruption, and racial tension. The film explores how the town's history is intertwined with the history of American music, and how the power of music has played a role in healing the town's wounds.
The film begins with archival footage and interviews that paint a picture of Asbury Park in its heyday, when it was a glamorous destination for vacationers and musicians alike. But as the economy declined and racial tensions simmered, the town erupted in a series of riots in the summer of 1970.
The film focuses on how music helped Asbury Park communities come together in the aftermath of the riots. Legendary musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny Lyon and Steve Van Zandt of the E Street Band, and others came to the town and played in the many bars and clubs on Asbury Park's boardwalk, bringing different races and cultures together around a shared love of music. This musical scene, which became known as the Jersey Shore sound, helped to unite the town and set it on a path to recovery.
The documentary takes its title from the album "Riot, Redemption, Rock & Roll" by singer and songwriter Bobby Bandiera, a native of Asbury Park who played with many of the town's legendary musicians. The album features songs inspired by the turbulent history of Asbury Park, as well as the hope and resilience of its people.
Asbury Park: Riot, Redemption, Rock & Roll is a celebration of the power of music to heal, unite, and inspire, as well as a tribute to the people and musicians who helped to revive a town that was once on the brink of collapse.
