Springsteen charity gig's surprise guest

RED BANK, N.J., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Bruce Springsteen made an unbilled appearance at a New Jersey charity event that raised $250,000 for the Parker Family Health Center in Red Bank, N.J.

The New Jersey-born rock 'n' roll icon performed songs like "Merry Christmas, Baby" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," alongside Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds and others at The Hope Concert IV at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank Monday night, the Newark Star-Ledger said.

Previous Hope Concerts, which have raised money for various beneficiaries, took place in 2003, 2006 and 2007 with Bon Jovi, Southside and Bonds performing at all three and Springsteen singing at the first two events, as well as the most recent one, the newspaper said.