'Gladiator' star Russell Crowe bares his regrets on stage at the Stone Pony
Regrets? Russell Crowe has a few.
The “Gladiator” star shared some of them and sang his original songs in front of his nine-member band Aug. 12 at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. The show, called an “Indoor Garden Party,” was part Hollywood confessional and part melodic soft rock revue.
“I suppose I just have to come clean,” said Crowe said while introducing his song “Southhampton.”
“You see I was in a situation after my divorce became finalized where I spent a couple of years acting like a total (blanking) slut. I didn't have any responsibilities so I thought what the hell.”
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Crowe is 60. He doesn't look like Maximus anymore as he's a bit heavier than his “Gladiator” weight, and he has a gray beard. But the passing of time has seemingly bestowed bit of wisdom and humility on Crowe, once deemed the bad boy of Hollywood.
Crowe acknowledged his troublesome past on the Pony stage.
“Use your time for the things you want to do and for the people who you love,” Crowe said. “It freaks me out, kids today, 'Ah man, no regrets. I live life with no regrets — (blank) off!' Seriously, you haven't had one moment of self-reflection?”
Crowe self-reflected on the Pony stage for nearly two hours. The music was pleasant with strong harmonies, shading into a Yacht Rock sound that's current with today's retro-leaning audiences.
Crowe has a serviceable baritone voice that seemed best suited for a Johnny Cash-spoken style of singing, which he offered on a cover of “Folsom Prison Blues” and “You On My Mind,” an original song inspired by a letter the Man in Black wrote to Crowe.
Cash was a fan of his movies. Crowe's films include “The Insider,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “Romper Stomper,” “L.A. Confidential” and “American Gangster.” Recent roles include “The Pope's Exorcist” and “The Exorcist.”
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Crowe, who was a musician in Australia before he started acting, played the Pony with his former band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, in 2001. The crowd was mostly female then.
On Sunday, it was a mixed crowd of 400 or so, with a lot of male fans seeking autographs on “Gladiator” paintings, helmets, swords and other memorabilia outside the club after the show.
Being a Hollywood star does have its perks. Crowe told of a special invite he received from the Vatican to tour the Sistine Chapel without the usual tourist crowds.
Why did he receive the special opportunity?
“Maximus,” said the envoy, “you are the eighth king of Rome.”
Russell Crowe’s Indoor Garden Party plays Monday, Aug. 12, at Sony Hall in New York City. Visit indoorgardenparty.com for more info.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Gladiator star Russell Crowe bares regrets on stage at Stone Pony