Marie Castello

[2] Castello was a fixture in Asbury Park for decades, telling fortunes on and off at her tiny booth on the boardwalk which is nicknamed The Temple of Knowledge.

[2] Springsteen mentioned Castello in his 1973 song "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)", which earned her a certain amount of fame among his fans.

[2] Springsteen wrote in the song's lyrics of Castello: "Did you hear the cops finally busted Madam Marie for tellin' fortunes better than they do.

[1] Her Irish father made a living building "things" (in an exact quote from Castello), including pots, hand fans and baskets.

[1] Madam Marie began telling fortunes at her small, twelve foot square booth called the Temple of Knowledge in 1932.

"[1] Castello did not know why people began calling her gypsy, but reportedly did not mind the nickname as she felt that mystery was good for a fortunetelling business.

[1] Springsteen began visiting Madam Marie, as Castello was known on the boardwalk, around the age of 17, and often played his guitar outside of her booth.

Her famous clients included Ray Charles, Woody Allen, Perry Como, Diane Keaton, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Elliott Gould, Gorilla Monsoon, Vic Damone and Diahann Carroll.

[2] Madam Marie returned to fortunetelling at her Temple of Knowledge in Asbury Park on July 4, 2004, after a seven-year hiatus from the boardwalk, her longest absence since the 1930s.

"[2] The American flag at the Convention Hall-Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park was lowered to half staff in her honor.

[2] Bruce Springsteen dedicated the July 4, 2008, performance of "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" in Gothenburg to Castello and subsequently issued memories and condolences on his website: Back in the day when I was a fixture on the Asbury Park boardwalk, I'd often stop and talk to Madam Marie as she sat on her folding chair outside the Temple of Knowledge.

I'd sit across from her on the metal guard rail bordering the beach, and watched as she led the day trippers into the small back room where she would unlock a few of the mysteries of their future.