Tim Robbins jams with local Illinois band

updated 6:21 p.m. ET June 8, 2007

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Patrons of a downtown bar in this city of 24,000 people were surprised when Tim Robbins strolled in and started jamming with a local band.

The 48-year-old actor, who was in Edwardsville for his upcoming movie, “The Return,” brought a guitar and played classic R&B at Laurie’s Place on Wednesday evening, The (Alton) Telegraph reported.

“I have never had a big celebrity come in and sit in with the band,” said bar owner Laurie Chavez.

Robbins had wrapped up a day of filming for the drama, also starring Rachel McAdams, before coming into the bar for the impromptu concert. He played songs including “Backstreets” by Bruce Springsteen.

The crowd, snapping pictures with cell phone cameras and filming with small camcorders, grew as the news of Robbins’ miniconcert spread.

“I gave him a T-shirt and had him autograph my wall,” Chavez said. “He then shook my hand. He fit right in here, without a doubt.”

Before the evening was over, Robbins signed autographs and posed for pictures.

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Robbins won an Oscar for his role in 2003’s “Mystic River.” His screen credits also include “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Player.”

After he was told by a newspaper editor that he was going to be on the front page for a story about the surprise concert, Robbins cracked a joke.

“It’s good to be put on the front for that rather than something else.”

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