June 28th, 1984. For most, it was just another Thursday. For Sandi Pederson, a lifelong Bruce Springsteen fan, it was the day she stepped into music history. At the St. Paul Civic Center, Sandi wasn’t just attending a Bruce Springsteen concert; she was front and center for the filming of the iconic music video for “Dancing in the Dark,” Springsteen’s soon-to-be smash hit from the Born in the U.S.A. album.
Sandi, along with four other devoted fans, found themselves in a surreal situation: performing as themselves for the camera, alongside professional models, including a then-unknown Courtney Cox. The Civic Center, usually buzzing with concertgoers, was eerily empty save for the film crew, director Brian De Palma, the Boss himself, and the E Street Band. This wasn’t just a music video shoot; it was an intimate, almost secretive glimpse into the making of a cultural moment.
The day was long, filled with repeated takes of Springsteen performing “Dancing in the Dark.” Sandi recalls the stark contrast between the genuine enthusiasm of the hand-picked fans and the apparent indifference of the models. While Sandi and her fellow fans were living a dream, soaking in every moment of Bruce’s performance, she observed the models, including Courtney Cox, expressing boredom and impatience. Cox, later to become a household name, was at this point a model, seemingly detached from the energy and passion of Springsteen’s music. Sandi remembers their complaints about the long hours and their lack of appreciation for Bruce’s sound. Ironically, De Palma instructed them to observe and emulate the authentic fan reactions, a testament to the genuine energy of Springsteen’s fanbase.
Despite the models’ lukewarm attitudes, Bruce Springsteen recognized and appreciated the true fans present. As a thank you for their dedication and long hours on set, Springsteen and the E Street Band treated the small group to a private, impromptu concert after the official filming wrapped. Sandi vividly remembers this exclusive performance, culminating in a roaring rendition of “Detroit Medley.” It was a concert witnessed by only a handful of people, a secret show within the larger spectacle of the “Dancing in the Dark” video shoot. Sandi captured a photo from this unforgettable moment, a personal memento of a shared experience with Bruce during the making of music history.
Sandi with Bruce Springsteen and Donna during the "Dancing in the Dark" video shoot, capturing a personal moment during the filming process.
The following night, June 29th, marked the opening show of the legendary Born in the U.S.A. tour, also at the St. Paul Civic Center. Sandi and the same group of fans were back, this time amidst a sold-out arena. Sporting the same clothes as the previous day to maintain continuity for the video, they were part of a clever filming strategy. The footage from the intimate Thursday shoot was designed to be interwoven with the raw energy of the Friday night concert performance.
During the concert, as planned, Sandi and her friends moved to their designated positions as the band launched into “Dancing in the Dark.” Cameras rolled, capturing the authentic concert atmosphere, blending it seamlessly with the previous day’s footage. For good measure, and to ensure ample coverage, the band performed “Dancing in the Dark” once more at the start of their second set.
The resulting “Dancing in the Dark” music video became an instant classic, catapulting the song to the top of the charts and solidifying Springsteen’s status as a global icon. While the video prominently features Courtney Cox dancing with Bruce on stage, eagle-eyed fans, like Sandi herself, can spot her and her friends in the crowd, forever immortalized in this iconic piece of 80s music history. Sandi points out her clear visibility at the 3:16 mark of the final video, a subtle yet significant piece of her personal story woven into a cultural phenomenon.
Sandi visible in the crowd during the "Dancing in the Dark" music video, a lasting memory of her participation in the iconic video shoot.
Sandi’s Springsteen story doesn’t end with “Dancing in the Dark.” Just days later, on July 2nd, at another show, Sandi experienced another unforgettable moment: dancing on stage with Bruce Springsteen himself during a concert. After jokingly telling a friend that her next dream was to dance with Bruce, it unexpectedly came true. During the second set, Springsteen, in a surprising turn, reached out to Sandi, pulled her on stage, and danced with her. This magical moment culminated in an even more unbelievable event – a kiss from the Boss himself on stage. Backstage after the show, a signed autograph and words of praise from Max Weinberg further cemented this incredible night.
Sandi dancing on stage with Bruce Springsteen on July 2nd, 1984, a dream-come-true moment following her experience filming "Dancing in the Dark".
For Sandi Pederson, the summer of 1984 was more than just a season; it was a series of extraordinary events centered around Bruce Springsteen and the making of “Dancing in the Dark.” It’s a testament to the power of music, the dedication of fans, and the unexpected magic that can happen when you find yourself in the right place at the right time, dancing in the dark and in the spotlight with a rock and roll legend.
