Darlene Love shoots Forbidden Nights video in Asbury Park
Features appearance by Joan Jett and Paul Shaffer
Rock in Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love’s day shooting a music video in Asbury Park started at 7:30 a.m. and at time of press there were no signs of it ending.
Her first Facebook post of the day read, “Good morning! What a gorgeous day to shoot my “Forbidden Nights” music video that Elvis Costello wrote for my album.”
The album, “Introducing, Darlene Love,” is scheduled for release in September and will be showcased during the September 12 concert with Steven Van Zandt at the Paramount Theatre.
The open call she put out for extras to take part in the video shoot was met by hundreds. But as production would have it the 3 p.m. call time was stalled. Many rolled with it, some left and returned.
In the meantime, fellow Hall of Famer Joan Jett and band leader Paul Shaffer had arrived. The two would take part in the video shoot that included Love driving a cherry red convertible throughout Asbury Park.
Shaffer and Jett are among the hitchhikers she picks up on the way before heading to beach dance party.
When Love drove the little red 1961 Cadillac down the boardwalk near 7 p.m. the waning crowd seemed to instantly double size.
Just prior to the boardwalk shoot and during a quick bite to eat at Langosta Lounge, Love said she chose Asbury Park because of the special meaning it holds.
“This is such a great place for me because they took me in, they adopted me in New Jersey. I was born here,” she said metaphorically speaking.
In fact, Love was born in California and lived part of her childhood in Texas as her father pursued his ministry calling. Her career began as a backup singer for some of Phil Spector’s signature talents but she reached national acclaim in the 1960s with her No 1 hit “He’s a Rebel.”
Today she credits Steven Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen with helping to pave the way for her 1980s resurgence.
“I started my solo career at 40 but then I didn’t know what to do,” Love said. “I did a show in L.A. and [Springsteen and Van Zandt] were two of the people in the audience.
“They asked me to come to New York, and I said, ‘and do what,” she recalled. “I don’t know anybody in New York but that was the beginning of me changing gears.”
Love, who turned 74 on Sunday, said it was the best decision she could have made.
“I was known here and I didn’t know that,” Love said. “I didn’t know I had a fan base because in those early years I never worked here as Darlene Love. I came here as a back singer behind Dionne [Warrick], behind Tom Jones, the Righteous Brothers. But then to come here 40 years later to start my music career all over again was a little scary. But I had God and I had a lot of help from a lot of friends.”
“It’s called blind faith,” she said.
“See that gentleman right there,” she said pointing at nearby table where Joan Jett ate her lunch. “I’ve known him since I was 15.”
She was referring to Kenny Laguna, the songwriter/producer best known for his work with Jett.
Love said the video will also feature guest selfies from a host of the industry’s recognizable talents.
[Bottom two photos courtesy of Love]
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