I am not usually a party person. But there was nothing usual about this party

Sarfraz Manzoor has always felt awkward at parties, until he attended the best one of his life…

It was 7th August and I was in Asbury Park, New Jersey, for the US premiere of my film, Blinded By The Light. It was an adaptation of my memoir, Greetings From Bury Park, which told the story of my teenage years in Bury Park, Luton, in the 1980s and the impact Bruce Springsteen’s music had on me. He named his debut album Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. – hence the title. I had been there as a teenager and visiting had felt meaningful. So when deciding the location of my film’s US premiere and the after-party, Asbury Park felt right.

I am not, by nature, a party person. I enjoy socialising but I am awful at starting conversations with strangers. I don’t drink, so I can’t rely on Dutch courage, and at parties I can often be found on my own, wishing I had the type of personality that meant I could just start a conversation.

However, there was nothing usual about the Blinded By The Light party. I was ushered towards a VIP section to the side, where I rubbed shoulders with top film industry executives and leading lights of the local music scene. Southside Johnny, a longtime friend of Springsteen, was singing. I was with the team from the film, and for once I did not have to worry about how to start a conversation, because everyone wanted to talk to me – after all, they’d just seen a movie all about me! The most common thing I heard was, ‘You think you were just telling your story. Actually, you told mine.’

But there was a final reason why this was the greatest party of my life: among the guests was the man himself, Bruce Springsteen. He had surprised us by turning up to the premiere. He was invited, but no one knew if he was going to turn up or not. He was dressed in a dark jacket and trousers and, as he walked the red carpet, all I could hear was the sound of camera flashes and screaming fans. I went over to him, gave him a hug and thanked him for coming. He was gracious and smiled broadly. It was mind-blowing to think that the man who inspired my book and film would grace me with his presence, but he didn’t just do that: an hour or so into the party, Springsteen went over to the stage to join the house band and performed half a dozen songs. I stood at the side, trying to fully take in that Bruce bloody Springsteen was singing at a party for my film. I knew then that no party I would attend would ever match this night.

‘I WALKED OVER AND GAVE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN A HUG’