By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Shrewsbury – Although Bruce Springsteen is a huge international superstar, most 10 year olds probably don’t know who he is.
But Kate Guagnini, who is a fourth grade student at the Coolidge Elementary School, does, and is a big fan, thanks to her parents Elaine and Brian.
So when the rock star was due to perform at the TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 4, her parents decided she too could attend the concert with them.
Excited about the opportunity, Kate made a big sign to bring that said, “My 1st show! Can I have a hug?”
And not only did she get her hug that night from the man nicknamed the “Boss,” she also got to sing with him, much to the delight of her parents and the 17,000 fans in attendance.
Brian explained how his daughter got to experience what many other fans can only dream about.
“A few songs in, Springsteen decided to jump off the stage and walk up the aisle toward us. He saw Kate’s sign and put his arms out for a hug,” he recalled. “I handed her to him, and he held her and sang a few stanzas of his hit ‘Hungry Heart’ with her!”
“She’s pretty shy but she’s still really over the moon about this,” he said. “She still can’t believe that it happened – she keeps asking me, ‘Daddy, how did this even happen?’
“I still can’t believe it either. When I was looking at [Springsteen] I just kept thinking, ‘I’ve seen you at least 50 times and I have never seen you so close! It’s a moment none of us will ever forget.”
After the concert, Kate enjoyed a few more moments in the spotlight as fans who recognized her from the Jumbotron stopped to congratulate her. A college radio station from Los Angeles also interviewed her a few days later and she enjoyed talking about it with her friends and teachers.
“Of course, everyone keeps asking, how can we top this?” Brian laughed. “I don’t think we can!”
Photos/submitted