It’s Thursday, June 28, 1984, and for Sandi Pederson, it was a dream come true. She found herself not just at a Bruce Springsteen performance, but right in the heart of it, center stage at the St. Paul Civic Center. This wasn’t just any show; it was the filming of the music video for Bruce’s electrifying new single, “Dancing in the Dark.”
Sandi, a lifelong Springsteen devotee, was among a select few – five lucky fans to be exact – chosen to be part of this iconic moment. Alongside her friends Donna, Dave, Ken, and another whose name escapes her, she stood front and center, watching Bruce perform “Dancing in the Dark” repeatedly for director Brian De Palma’s cameras. The Civic Center, usually buzzing with concert-goers, was unusually empty, save for De Palma’s crew, a group of extras, and, surprisingly, three models, one of whom was a young Courtney Cox.
What was intended as a day of capturing fan energy for the music video turned into an unforgettable experience, revealing the contrasting worlds of dedicated fans and those just hired for a role. While Sandi and her friends were ecstatic to be breathing the same air as Bruce, let alone be part of his music video, the models seemed less enthralled. Sandi recalls them complaining about the long hours and, to her disbelief, their dislike for Bruce’s music. Even Courtney Cox, who would later be known worldwide as an actress, appeared impatient and detached, a stark contrast to the genuine excitement of the fan extras.
The irony wasn’t lost on Sandi. Here they were, five devoted fans, living every Springsteen enthusiast’s dream, while those seemingly placed in a coveted position were indifferent. Bruce, however, seemed to recognize and appreciate the genuine enthusiasm radiating from Sandi and her friends. As a heartfelt thank you for their patience and energy throughout the long day of filming “Dancing in the Dark,” Bruce and the E Street Band treated them to an exclusive, impromptu concert. For a full hour, they played just for these five fans, culminating in a rousing rendition of “Detroit Medley.” It was a private show, a secret concert witnessed by almost no one, a testament to Bruce’s connection with his truest fans. Sandi captured a photo from this magical moment, a tangible piece of her history with Bruce, showing her on the left and Bruce in the same shirt he sports in the “Dancing in the Dark” video.
Sandi with Bruce Springsteen during the "Dancing in the Dark" video shoot impromptu concert
The filming continued into Friday, June 29, which was also the opening night of the Born in the U.S.A. Tour at the St. Paul Civic Center. Sandi and her friends were back, sporting the same clothes as the day before to maintain continuity for the video footage. This time, however, they were in a sold-out arena, amidst the roaring energy of thousands of fans. The purpose of the previous day’s “extras” became clear: the footage would be interwoven with the concert performance, blending the controlled studio setting with the raw excitement of a live Bruce Springsteen show.
During the first set, Sandi and her friends enjoyed the concert from their seats, later moving to the soundboard for the second set. As the setlist progressed, they strategically positioned themselves back in their spots from the previous day, ready for Bruce to close the set with “Dancing in the Dark” once more, this time in front of a live audience, ensuring ample footage for the music video. The band even returned for the second set and played another take of “Dancing in the Dark,” leaving no doubt that they were determined to capture every angle and energy level for what was destined to be a groundbreaking music video.
Indeed, the “Dancing in the Dark” video became a defining moment in Bruce Springsteen’s career and a quintessential video of the 1980s. While the focus of the camera often lingered on the models, especially Courtney Cox, Sandi can be spotted clearly at the 3:16 mark, a permanent, albeit subtle, piece of music video history. For her, it’s more than just a glimpse; it’s a vibrant memory of being inches away from Bruce Springsteen during the creation of something iconic.
Sandi visible in the final "Dancing in the Dark" music video
The Springsteen magic didn’t end with the video shoot. Just a few days later, on Monday, July 2nd, Sandi found herself at another Bruce show, her fourth in six days. During this concert, something even more extraordinary happened. Inspired by the “Dancing in the Dark” video’s stage invitation, during the second set, Bruce approached Sandi at the front row. Despite the usual routine of Bruce singing to a fan but dancing with someone else, he deviated. He came back, extended his hand to Sandi, and with a playful, “Heeeeeyyyyy there, baby!” invited her onto the stage.
Overwhelmed and ecstatic, Sandi found herself dancing with Bruce Springsteen in front of thousands of cheering fans. As the song concluded, in a moment of pure rock and roll spontaneity, Bruce leaned back, pulling Sandi down with him onto the stage. Looking into her eyes, he then whispered, “Kiss me, baby!” And she did.
The night culminated in a backstage visit where Bruce signed autographs and Max Weinberg, the E Street Band drummer, remembered Sandi from a recent book signing, complimenting her stage presence with “Great dancing out there kiddo!” For Sandi, this period, starting with being part of the “Dancing in the Dark” video and culminating in dancing and kissing Bruce Springsteen on stage, marked the pinnacle of an incredible summer – her very own “Glory Days,” all sparked by a song and a dance in the dark.
