THE HISTORIC WINTERLAND CONCERT FROM DECEMBER 15, 1978...
to be recreated by Tramps Like Us - just in time for the holidays! If you missed what is now considered a classic legendary Springsteen concert from years past and wondered what it would be like to have been there in person, well you are in luck... Tramps Like Us, is the FIRST and ONLY band ever to re-create Springsteen concerts in their entirety, in order, with all versions played by the E Street Band on that particular night. Currently with 6 historic concerts in their repertoire, you can now take a trip to the past with Tramps Like Us.
The Winterland concert from 12/15/78 is Springsteen's most widely circulated bootlegged concert of all time. A 30 song - 3.5 hour Rock 'n Roll marathon!
E Street Radio had this to say about Tramps Like Us: "If you're a big Bruce fan, you've probably seen tribute bands...
and the BEST of them all is TRAMPS LIKE US"
ENGLAND'S DREAMING: FIRST 2012 EUROPEAN DATES ANNOUNCED Less than 12 hours after Springsteen's official site confirmed a 2012 tour, we have four dates on the calendar, all in the U.K. On July 14, Springsteen and the E Street Band will come back to the site of their Live in Hyde Park performance for a Hard Rock Calling return engagement, preceded by their first performance at the Isle of Wight Festival and stadium stops in Sunderland and Manchester in June.
Ticket sales are just around the corner, with Isle of Wight on sale the day after Thanksgiving, and both Sunderland and London on sale December 3.
See our Tour/Ticket Info page
for all official dates, links, and details as they roll in
- November 21, 2011
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT: BRUCE TO TOUR WITH E STREET BAND IN 2012
New album "almost done," further details to come "real soon"
The lifting of the traditional cone of silence is almost as welcome as the news itself! Just posted tonight on brucespringsteen.net:
Well, things are starting to heat up down on E Street.
A lot of you have been hearing that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be on tour in 2012. That is absolutely correct. The European dates run from the middle of May until end of July and are being announced this week. Info on the US dates and the World tour dates will coming up shortly.
In addition, we want you to know that the music is almost done (but still untitled), we have almost settled on the release date (but not quite yet), and that we are all incredibly excited about everything that we're planning for 2012. That's all the info we have for right now, but we'll get back to you — real soon.
If you didn't already have plenty to be thankful for... that's a hell of a way to kick off Thanksgiving week. - November 20, 2011
BUT STILL... STAY IN SCHOOL, KIDS
One more image from the Springsteen/Swift summit Thursday night in Raleigh. Zoe Atchinson writes: "My dad sent you the link to Taylor's tweet with the picture of Bruce. It was a great show. When she came on stage, we noticed Bruce's lyrics from 'No Surrender' written down her arm. We found pictures from the local Raleigh newspaper, the News & Observer." She's absolutely right: check it out here, taken by the N&O's Scott Sharpe. Thanks, Zoe! - November 19, 2011
NEW, OFFICIALLY RELEASED SPRINGSTEEN PERFORMANCE, FOR FREE?
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT.
No need for iPad users to hang their heads. This week marked the release of Sting 25, an impressive new iPad "appumentary" focused on "the past 25 years of Sting's career as a renowned musician and humanitarian." Among its voluminous content: exclusive concert and behind-the-scenes footage from Sting's October 1 Sixtieth Birthday Celebration concert, including a complete, professional audio/video recording of Bruce Springsteen performing Sting's "I Hung My Head," a major highlight of the evening. It's a free app, to boot, available for instant downloading here. Read more at sting.com about this "whole new type of music documentary," which already has caught the interest of at least one other unnamed-but-famous musician. Here's hoping that Sting's been sharing his enthusiasm for this project with his old pal from New Jersey. - November 18, 2011 - Shawn Poole reporting
TURN ON THE RADIO: THE SIXTH ANNUAL ALL REQUEST BRUCE BRUNCH
With the scent of Thanksgiving in the air, Hungerthon isn't the only radio event on our radar [see below]... it's also time again for the yearly All Request Bruce Brunch to benefit the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties. Tom Cunningham will host his annual all-request show on 105.7 The Hawk at the Jersey Shore (and everywhere else at 1057thehawk.com) on Sunday, November 27. The show expands an extra hour this year, to run from 9 a.m. to noon.
This Sunday morning, November 20, is when you'll be invited to call into the FoodBank with your requests/dedications. For a donation of $25, TC will play anything from the Springsteen canon (with the exception of a side visit to Reno). Have your request/dedication (and credit card) handy on Sunday morning and call the FoodBank at (732) 918-2600. The number of slots are limited, so be ready to roll early. The 6th Annual All Request Bruce Brunch: a Jersey Shore Thanksgiving tradition on 105.7 The Hawk. - November 18, 2011
A SWIFTLY TILTING CAMERA
Just down the road from Backstreets HQ, Taylor Swift played Raleigh, NC last night and received a special backstage visitor. As she posted today on taylorswift.com, along with the above self-shot, "I'll never forget when Bruce Springsteen played 'Dancing in the Dark' backstage at my show on my guitar, then signed it. Such a beautiful night in Raleigh." - November 18, 2011
TRYIN' OUT HIS ATTITUDE ON ALL THE CATS…
Springsteen gets his "Kitten Cover" Ah, the internet and cute cat photos. They were made for each other, were't they? A new site stands out from the online deluge of adorable kitty material, with a unique combination of laughs and "awwwww" moments for all of us fans of both felines and fine music. The Kitten Covers transforms famous LP/CD covers into "albums from a world dominated by kittens.”
Alfra Martini, a Brooklyn-based artist and musician, created the site and all of its fantastic covers to date (including The RaMEOWnes). She maintains an impressive rate of four new covers per week, all while working several jobs, managing her musical career and an independent label, to boot. Alfra recently informed us that a Bruce Springsteen album was "in the queue... but I have a personal rule not to use human bodies... so it's gonna be a challenge!"
Challenge met: Cuteness on the Edge of Town, along with an album by "John Kittentrane," debuted on the site yesterday. Okay, everybody, let it all out... awwwwwwwwwww! - November 17, 2011 - Shawn Poole reporting
CASING THE PROMISED LAND
As we get closer to 2012
— and with any luck, a Bruce Springsteen tour to which all signs continue to point — chatter builds regarding a potential itinerary, where Springsteen will be headed when. As always, we prefer to wait until a schedule is set before thinking too hard about any of it. Still, it's hard not to be intrigued by what the Tel-Aviv-based daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth is now reporting: that Springsteen "is in advanced talks for a concert in Israel."
Ynetnews.com sums it up: "Israeli producers have been trying for years to get him to perform in Israel, but have been unsuccessful. This time, the talks are said to be taking a positive direction. The American rock icon is expected to arrive in Israel for one concert in June 2012, most likely at the Ramat Gan Stadium."
Hold your mazel tovs for now... a quote from the office of prodcuer Shuki Weiss, thought to be handling the booking, provides a reality check: "It's too early to rejoice. Once we have something to report, we'll do so." As will we. - November 16, 2011
HUNGERTHON IS HERE
Large prints from photographers Clinch and Saddler to benefit WhyHunger
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, our minds as usual turn to WhyHunger (formerly World Hunger Year, always a favorite charity of Springsteen's) and their annual Hungerthon. This year they've got a bevy of auction items running now on CharityBuzz, including two different 16 x 20 prints, both stunning, sure to be of interest to Backstreets readers.
A Danny Clinch photograph from 2000 pictures Bruce's guitar and Clarence's sax, side-by-side. An A.M. Saddler photograph[pictured right] captures Bruce and Clarence themselves onstage in 2009. Bidding is on now, with both lots closing on November 30.
Many more items are up on the auction block for Hungerthon, including guest DJ spots on E Street Radio and other SiriusXM channels, tickets to the Daily Show and Colbert, and more. See the full Hungerthon auction list here, and more Hungerthon items available (for donations starting at $10) here.
For more on the cause and its upcoming radio broadcasts, visit Hungerthon.org. - November 15, 2011
HAVE A GOOD TIME BUT GET OUT ALIVE
Rolling Stone's Andy Greene talks with Joe Grushecky about his day job, his friendship with Springsteen, and their collaborations, including the recent concerts at Solders and Sailors Memorial Hall:
On the second night, the show stretched to three and a half hours. "We had a setlist," says Grushecky. "But before we went out, Bruce and I discussed that if we were having a good time, we were just going to let it go at the end. It was truly one for the ages. If you're a football player, you want to play with Joe Montana. If you're a baseball player, you want to play with Mickey Mantle or Roberto Clemente. Just to be able to keep up with him and hold our own says a lot for the band. We're the guys down the street who have a band. We're not highly paid professionals. One guy in the group is a physical therapist. One guy works in wholesale, and another is a welder."
- November 15, 2011 - photograph by John Cavanaugh [11/4/11]
FRIENDS OF BRUCE FIGHTING HUNGER IN BUFFALO, 11/18 Willie Nile and Jesse Malin & St. Marks Social, along with numerous other acts, are playing a benefit this Friday night in Buffalo in an effort to brighten the Thanksgivings of needy local families. The November 18 Feed the City Benefit Concert for Food Bank of WNY is hosted by Buffalo original rock band The Pillagers, along with a group of Buffa-Lovers called the Feed the City Committee, the Town Ballroom and Funtime Presents. The event's goal is to raise $50,000 in one night in order to buy 350,000 pounds of food for Thanksgiving dinners.
Gary Zoldos, lead singer of the Pillagers and Feed the City Committee Member, sums it up like this, "Our committee is not just setting out to prove that we can raise $50,000 in one night in the third poorest City in America. We're also setting out to prove that people can truly make a difference, if they choose to do so. We know that the City of Good Neighbors will join us for an outstanding rock concert and support our local citizens that need assistance the most by doing so."
A memorabilia auction taking place at the concert will include a harmonica donated by Bob Dylan, as well as donations from Bob Gruen, Alice Cooper, Pete Townshend, Kiss, The Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge, Dan Akroyd, Jeff Beck, Paul Rodgers, The Tragically Hip, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 day of show. Purchase tickets in advance in person at the Town Ballroom or online at www.tickets.com. - November 14, 2011
SOUL DRIVERS: 12th OF NOVEMBER, ASBURY PARK
There were few surprises at last night's "Soul of Asbury Park" concert at the Paramount Theater, but there was plenty of history, including the first public performance by Lenny Welch in his old stomping grounds in 50 years. Welch, formerly of the Mar-Keys, left the Asbury Park-based vocal group in the late 1950s and went on to chart success with hits like "You Don't Know Me" (later recorded by Ray Charles) and "A Taste of Honey."
The evening, which followed up last April's Wonder Bar show, once again celebrated the 1950s and '60s music scene of Asbury Park's West Side with a lineup featuring much of the talent that formerly graced the stages of Springwood Avenue clubs like Big Bill's and the Turf Club (attracting future E Streeter Garry Tallent, who could often be found at a nearby record store).
Hosting the evening was vocalist Nicky Addeo, who introduced the evening as "a show to honor those who made music central to the landscape of Asbury Park." Bobby Thomas (The Vibranaires) led off with a tribute to The Orioles, followed by vocalist Johnny Petillo (cousin of SOAP member Pat Petillo), who recalled how he once polished his vocal chops at the Siciliano household on Asbury Avenue, terming it a "boot camp for doo-wop" in Asbury Park. Indeed, the West Side was also home to the city's Italian American population, and performers like Addeo and "Patsy" Siciliano often appeared onstage with the likes of Thomas and fellow vocalist Billy Brown. (Brown and fellow Broadways member Robert Conti later befriended a teenage Bruce Springsteen, who opened shows for them at area venues as a member of The Castiles. Springsteen later returned the favor by hiring Conti for his 1977-78 road crew.)
The Broadways, who were performing together in Asbury for the first time in 40 years, evoked the smooth sounds of The Temptations, and Nicky Addeo charmed with the doo-wop classic "Gloria." But it was clear that the night belonged to the city of Asbury Park, as the festivities became a high school reunion of sorts, the audience of friends and family responding to shout-outs from the stage with laughter and applause, and everyone decked out in their finest.
The grand finale brought all the performers to the stage for a group rendition of "Stand By Me" led by Brown, who commented that he was glad to see that Asbury Park was once again becoming a place where people wanted to be.
Finally Addeo, who had brought in a film crew to document the event, exhorted "Let's do this again," closing the curtain on the old school soul revue in true Asbury Park fashion. - November 13, 2011 - Lisa Iannucci reporting
A SOLDIER'S JOURNEY
Following U.S. Marine Lieutenant Andrew Kinard to this week's Stand Up For Heroes concert, where he comes face to face with one of his own heroes.
- November 11, 2011
SOUL OF ASBURY PARK COMES TO THE PARAMOUNT ON SATURDAY
Tomorrow night, the Paramount Theater will host the Asbury Park Historical Society's "Soul of Asbury Park" concert. The concert celebrates the music of Asbury Park's West Side, and will include many of the artists who appeared at the Wonder Bar this past April, including Nicky Addeo, Billy Brown (Ray, Goodman & Brown) and Bobby Thomas, who will appear in a tribute to doo-wop legends The Orioles. The concert will also feature "Mr. Asbury Park" Lenny Welch ("Since I Fell For You") and a reunion of The Broadways, who were mentioned several times by Bruce as a band he had opened for with The Castiles.
The Wonder Bar show, which included featured Southside Johnny and a guest appearance by Bruce Springsteen, was an emotional, unforgettable affair, and this one promises to be every bit as memorable. Don't miss out on what may be your last chance to see this lineup of great Asbury Park West Side artists performing on the same stage.
Tickets are still available at $20 to $50, through Ticketmaster or at Experience Asbury (Asbury Park boardwalk at Fourth Avenue), or at the Paramount box office on the day of the show. A limited number of tickets for the pre-show VIP reception (including a meet-and-greet cocktail hour with the performers) are also available at $100. - November 11, 2011
HAPPY VETERANS DAY Then...
"The war veterans from Vietnam gave a legitimacy to the anti-war movement.... One of the slogans we used to encounter when we'd march is, 'We support our boys.' And we'd say, 'We are the boys.' End of conversation.... Without Springsteen, there would be not be an organized Vietnam Veterans movement in America." —Bobby Muller, founder and president, Veterans for America
And now:
"I'll send this one out to all the men and the women, the guys and gals in uniform tonight. Your service and your sacrifice has humbled us."
—Bruce Springsteen, Stand Up For Heroes benefit, 11/9/11]
Our gratitude to all those serving, and all those who have served.
- November 11, 2011
THIS DAY IN BOSS HISTORY:
NOVEMBER 10, 1986
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's Live/1975-85 was released a quarter century ago today. And we're not just celebrating any old arbitrary anniversary here: as the first Springsteen album that included the name of the Band right there on the cover, it means that, for any sticklers among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation's nominating committee, we have to think the E Street Band is now officially eligible for induction.
In his New York Times review, Stephen Holden callled the E Street Band's box set "an unprecedented event in popular recording. A three-and-a-half-hour, 40-song career summary, recorded over a 10-year period in clubs, concert halls, and stadiums across the United States, is the sort of anthology one expects to be released late in a performer's career, or posthumously.... Live/1975-85 brings to a magnificent synthesis just about all the impulses that have fueled rock music since it surfaced in the mid-'50s as a mass cultural movement. You can get caught up in the visceral charge of its engines, sing along with its chunky tunes and dream its romantic dreams and still feel the cold wind of the history blowing through its pages."
Prakash Gandhi writes in:
I'm sure many Backstreets readers can remember the excitement and anticipation surrounding the release of the set, which went straight to number one on the charts — the first album in more than 10 years to do so. I still recall the long lines at the record stores (remember them?) back in November 1986.
If I remember rightly, not too many box sets had been released at that point. So the Springsteen release was not only an event for Boss fans, but for music in general. One of the things perhaps forgotten about the box, particularly after it was shrunk down to its current CD format, was the sheer size of the thing. Looking back, I recall being awestruck by the packaging as well as the music. The accompanying LP-sized booklet was crammed with beautiful photos which perfectly reflected the lyrics of the songs on the page.
Of course, there were the endless arguments about what was not in the box set, particularly such essential live songs as "Jungleland," "Prove it All Night," and "Dancing in the Dark." And "Incident," which was at least released as a B-side. All these years later, what's remarkable is not so much what was left out — and I was one of the complainers back in 1986 — but how so much of what's included works so well.
Holden's review was an insightful and deeply moving piece, beautifully articulating the various themes that run through the box set. Bruce planned the set as a thematic journey of sorts, which is why some songs made it, and others didn't. One can certainly see how the importance of friendship comes full circle from the opening "Thunder Road" through "No Surrender," both presented acoustically. Holden stressed the connection of the core songs on the set — "The River," "Seeds," "War," "Born in the U.S.A" — to the Vietnam War, such an essential event for so many of Springsteen's generation. Perhaps the most remarkable achievement of the set as a whole was that it felt both spine-chillingly intimate and almost ridiculously bombastic at the same time.
And as performances, it's hard to argue with most of the choices here, even though of course many felt it would have been better to release a full-length concert, such as Winterland or Nassau. Seldom has Bruce introduced a song so poignantly as he does here with "The River," which ends with one of the greatest group performances ever captured on vinyl. One can also argue that the incendiary performances of "Because the Night," "Badlands," and "Darkness on the Edge of Town" are as good as any on the 1978 tour, and that the versions here of "Independence Day" and "Racing in the Street" are stronger than their studio forebears.
Of the buying frenzy and resulting sell-outs 25 years ago today, a distributor told Billboard at the time, "Nobody has seen anything like this since the madness when Elvis died. It’s the craziest I've seen it since then, I wish I had a pressing plant." In retrospect, the Live set — and not the Born in the U.S.A. album — might be considered the high water mark, commercially, of Bruce's career. It was a remarkable achievement for a massive box set to top the charts, and Brucemania was truly at its peak with this record. As one critic pointed out, Bruce Springsteen truly represented a center in music that doesn't exist any more: he was not only the biggest rock star on the planet, but widely considered to be the best. So another way to consider the Live set, as we look back 25 years on, was that it marked the end of one era, and the beginning of another one. - November 10, 2011
STAND AND DELIVER
Springsteen at Stand Up For Heroes, NYC 11/9/11
Given that Bruce Springsteen had appeared at all five previous Stand Up For Heroes benefit galas, one might expect this year's performance to be not unlike those of previous years. Au contraire mon frère. A couple of bad jokes aside, Springsteen deviated from the script of previous years in a significant way. Sporting a very short-cropped haircut, he delivered a surprising and visceral set after being introduced by Jon Stewart at New York City's Beacon Theater Tuesday night.
Together with Max Weinberg's Big Band, pitching in as the evening's house band for the second year, Bruce again opened his set with a rearranged, big-band rendition of "Open All Night" that sounded not unlike you would imagine it could with a 10+ piece horn section driving the melody. The vocals were a little rushed, but the overall impact was nothing short of barnstorming, and Bruce enjoyed the hell out of it.
From there into completely new territory, as the band broke into a familiar vamp that sounded like... yes, it really was, "Sprit in the Night." Here the big-band arrangement stayed truer to what we know, but what came completely by surprise was Springsteen coming down the aisle into the audience and singing the song standing on top of a seat like it was the Capitol Theater 1978 not the Beacon Theater 2011.
"Spirit" was hugely satisfying, and the crowd clearly could not believe the man had gotten so close to them. Bruce returned to the stage and put on his acoustic guitar and harmonica (which, along with its harmonica holder and the shirt off his back, would later command $160,000 in a live auction to benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation) for a long, poignant, solo-acoustic "Land of Hope and Dreams" dedicated to "all the men and woman, guys and gals in uniform.... Your service and your sacrifices humble us tonight." Towards the end, Bruce tagged the song with a few lines from its inspiration, Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready."
The guitar/harmonica/shirt auction followed and took enough time to compel NBC News' Brian Williams to point out that the union would charge them exorbitantly if they ran past 10:55. Bruce returned to Max's Big Band for a brief version of "Long Tall Sally" that ended almost as quickly as it started but was still a burst of fun. Joe Delia played tremendous, Little Richard/Jerry Lee Lewis-style piano on this one, and on "Open All Night" as well.
Some auction logistics followed for which Springsteen stayed on stage and was a very good sport. Then it was time to say good night to a surprisingly energetic performance that couldn't help but suggest that someone is itching to perform again.
For the full setlist from this and other recent performances,
see our Setlists page.
- updated November 10, 2011
CLARENCE XMAS EP AVAILABLE NOW; NICK TO APPEAR ON E ST. RADIO With the November 18 Clarence Clemons Christmas Songs release party just a week away, Clarence's son, Nick, will appear live on E Street Radio at Sirius XM this Friday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m with Dave Marsh. The interview will feature the newly-released Clarence Christmas tracks, and Nick will discuss the history behind the songs, how the project came together in recent months and, of course, the release party at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park featuring The Nick Clemons Band and many guests.
The Clarence Clemons There's Still Christmas EP is now available digitally on iTunes, Amazon.com and at all premium download online sites, and in physical form, on CD, from Backstreet Records. - November 7, 2011 - photograph by Connie Freestone
NILS DEDICATES OLD SCHOOL TO "C," BEGINS RECORDING WITH PATTI
Nils Lofgren, who has just released Old School, spoke with rollingstone.com about his new album, revealing some yin and some yang: " I don't know what's gonna happen with E Street. I'm so heartbroken Clarence is gone. We were dear friends.... So that's heartbreaking, and I don't know where it's gonna lead. Meanwhile, I got a new record, and I'm excited."
Talking to RS's Steve Baltin, Nils continues, "It's been a long road to get a new record. I feel great about it... The writing was almost complete when [Clarence passed away]. But for instance, there's a song called 'Miss You Ray' about Ray Charles' passing, and it's a metaphor for saying goodbye to family and friends. [I've been singing it as] 'I miss you, C, and I've rearranged the lyrics live to apply to my friend Clarence."
Nils also talks about working with Patti Scialfa last month — "we did some session work, started a new record of hers" — along with producer Steve Jordan, when he and Bruce got into Wack Brothers mode.
BACKSTREETS RECOMMENDS... FRANK STEFANKO LIVE IN PERSON, 11/19 Darkness photographer and all-around swell fella Frank Stefanko will be making a Jersey Shore appearance in a couple weeks, not only to sign the latest edition of his Days of Hope and Dreams book, but also to give a talk complete with slide show. Saturday, November 19 at 2:00 p.m., at the Point Pleasant branch of the Ocean County Library... is that anywhere near you? If so, run, don't walk. Click here for information; you can also register online for the event to make sure you don't miss out. - November 7, 2011 - photographs by Frank Stefanko
ROLL YOUR TAPES
More clips from Pittsburgh, with a tip of the Backstrets cap to all those preserving for posterity. Above: a closer look at "Incident."
Below: Springsteen guests with openers The Composure (featuring Johnny Grushecky on guitar), and more acoustic rarities.
- November 7, 2011
NIGHT TWO: INCIDENT ON FIFTH AVENUE
Springsteen & Grushecky at Soldiers and Sailors Hall, 11/4/11 "People have come from the four corners of the world to be in Pittsburgh," Bruce laughed at this second of two shows, "that's even crazier than coming from the four corners of the world to be in Asbury Park! People come from perfectly wonderful places... and they leave them!"
Not only that, but some of them come to see two nights running. Good thing, then, that there were some nice changes from one night to the next: a lengthier show, better sound, and more surprises in the song selection, most notably a second mini acoustic set from Springsteen to bookend the night. Playing with the Houserockers finds Springsteen typically more carefree, enjoying the bar-band looseness that comes with having not having to deliver a message or serve a greater narrative. And while The Grushecky/Springsteen Experience is fairly well locked in at this point, the setlist shake-ups on night two showed you can never tell exactly what to expect.
Two out of Springsteen's three opening numbers were switched up, starting with "You Own Worst Enemy," into the highlight of the night, Bruce's first ever solo "Inicdent on 57th Street" on acoustic guitar. It came by request from his host, and it was sublime. As Bruce said at song's end, "Good call, Joe Grushecky... good call."
Additions in the main set were a very strong "Darkness on the Edge of Town," "Radio Nowhere," "A Good Life," and "Adam Raised a Cain," the last of these with particularly smoking guitar from Springsteen. That right into another incredible Boss solo to start off the set-closing "Light of Day."
The encore is where things really mixed up, opening with "Hungry Heart" — that one was pretty rough, but they had plenty of time to make up for it, adding "Brown Eyed Girl," a fun "Pink Cadillac," and "Twist and Shout" after "Down the Road Apiece," which had been the band's final song the night before. And really stretching it out, Bruce added four more acoustic songs once the band was done: "No Surrender" by request from the balcony; "Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street"; "Surprise, Surprise," Bruce saying it's the first time he's played this one alone (he also noted that it's the only one out of many songs that have come to him in dreams that turned out to be any good by the cold light of day); and finally "Thunder Road" once again, this time bringing Grushecky out to share the vocal. The crowd did their part too, closing out what will likely stand as Springsteen's longest performance of 2011 — three hours and twenty minutes from the time he took the stage to the end — as buzz of a 2012 tour continues to build.
For the full setlist from this and other recent performances,
see our Setlists page.
- updated November 5, 2011 - photographs by Guy Aceto
NIGHT ONE: WORKING FOR YOUR LOVE IN PITTSBURGH
Springsteen & Grushecky at Soldiers and Sailors Hall, 11/3/11
After a year of no Springsteen concerts, coming to Pittsburgh to see him play with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers was a bit akin to getting a fix. Everything seemed exciting coming in. The Pennsylvania hills were as beautiful as any landscape painting I've ever seen, and of course the Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Pittsburgh is a gem.
Having seen Bruce play with Grushecky three times previously, I pretty much knew what to expect: Bruce taking lead on most songs, plenty of guitar work and good fun, a bunch of hits, mostly Bruce's, with occasional Grushecky favorites thrown in and perhaps a surprise or two. That, of course, was precisely what the show delivered.
The good news in the show was Bruce's form. His voice was clear and strong, and he shared it happily. I had to remind myself a couple of times that he has passed his 62nd birthday. His guitar work was even better. He took extended solos over and over again. And over again. And then some more. Not just on his own songs, but also on Grushecky numbers such as "Never Be Enough Time" and "Pumping Iron." As for Bruce's songs, when he really decided to rock it, the roof blew off. "Light of Day" was perhaps the biggest highlight, in which Bruce singlehandedly filled the room with his sound.
Bad news? For me, it was that the show offered nothing at all new, besides confirming that Bruce is still in performing shape. A first-time-ever acoustic performance of "I'll Work For Your Love" was the closest we came to a surprise in the setlist. That, and a seeming ad lib by Houserockers drummer Joffo Simmons during the band intros portion of "Down the Road Apiece," in which he launched in to The Safaris' "Wipe Out," with Bruce and then the band quickly joining in.
Two other problems were that itwas very hot in the hall, and that — except for during the acoustic numbers — the sound was pushed way too high, with nothing to deaden it. The effect was of distorted sound literally bouncing off the 110-year old walls back at the audience on the floor. Here's hoping they dial it down a notch or three tomorrow night.
For the full setlist from this and other recent performances,
see our Setlists page.
- November 4, 2011 - Matt Orel reporting - photographs by Michael Zorn
NILS TAKES FANS BACK TO SCHOOL Nils Lofgren just wrapped up a string of East Coast dates; Harry Stadler caught last week's show in New Hope, PA:
In a word, Nils was awesome. He played his full two-hour set with energy and joy. From his opening harp solo through "Because the Night" as the last song before the encore, to his tap dancing (yes, tap dancing) in "I Came to Dance," the man just gave of himself throughout. And as is his M.O., he comes out after the show, signs everything you ask him to sign and takes pictures with whoever asks. Who does such things?
Again, this is nothing new. I remember seeing him do the same thing perhaps 15 years ago on a rainy weeknight at a late show at the Bottom Line when there were probably only 100 people in the hall.The fact that he "brings it" night after night, regardless of the size of the crowd, is just wonderful. The music and the performance are what it is about and such consistent brilliance should not go unnoticed.
And just as Nils comes off the road, his new record is out: Old School, a collection of 12 brand new recordings, has just been released on CD. Here's what Nils has to say about it:
Old School has many different types of songs and feels, some rough bluesy tracks to haunting acoustic songs. There's some interesting and controversial characters in these songs and I look forward to your reactions to them. I finally included my "Irish Angel" cover, the great Bruce McCabe song I've been singing for years in the acoustic shows. Also, years ago I wrote a ballad with Root Boy Slim, an old friend and great DC area artist, that I've always wanted to share but never got it together until now. Sadly, Root Boy's not with us any longer, but I know there's fans out there that will appreciate this touching, haunted country type ballad of ours. Also, there are three guests vocalists whom I consider some of the greatest singers of all time, who have graced the album with soulful performances; Paul Rodgers, Lou Gramm and Sam Moore. Thanks guys!
- November 3, 2011 - photographs by John Cavanaugh [10/28/11]
A RUSH OF BOSS TO THE HEAD
Talking with SPIN about the new Coldplay album Mylo Xyloto, singer Chris Martin names Bruce as an inspiration for its third-person perspective: "You can sometimes get your own feelings across more strongly if you pretend that you're singing it from someone else's angle. But it's always from me. It's just a new way of framing it. That's definitely from listening to so much Springsteen." - November 3, 2011
SO PUT YOUR EAR CLOSE TO THE PHONE... The new iPhone 4S includes the much-touted virtual assistant, Siri. By all accounts she knows what she's doing... but Adam Aresty of Morristown, NJ, wanted to make sure she knew her Springsteen from her Tony Danza: "I 'asked' my new iPhone a very important question... Here's what she came up with!"
Anybody asked her yet if Mary's dress "sways" or "waves"?
- November 3, 2011
MARISSA NADLER GOES DOWN TO "THE RIVER"
Boston singer-songwriter Marissa
Nadler is releasing a 13-song collection next week called Covers Volume II; right now, you can download her take on "The River" for free at xpn.org. The self-released full CD will be available November 8 in her Etsy shop. - November 3, 2011
FAN GATHERING IN BOSS-TON THIS WEEKEND Thursday and Friday: Springsteen in Steeltown. Saturday? The Bruce Springsteen Memories Roadshow comes to Beantown for a gathering at Boston Beer Works on Canal Street. On hand will be photographer Rocco Coviello, who has been shooting Springsteen in concert for Backstreets and others since 1978, and Lawrence Kirsch, publisher of The Light in Darkness. Rocco will be displaying Boss photos from Boston Garden to Fenway Park, and Lawrence will be signing copies of his book. We also encourage you to bring your Springsteen mementos, photos, ticket stubs, and stories to share with other fans who have appreciated Springsteen's appearances in the Boston area since 1973. From the historic shows at Charli'’s Place in Cambridge to the last two full concerts with Danny Federici in November 2007, Boston has a special place in the hearts of Springsteen fans — come hang out with others who know it, Saturday, November 5, at 8:00 p.m. - November 2, 2011
HALLOWEENSTEEN MEMORIES "Over the weekend here in Chicago" writes in Mike Campuzano, "Chicago's own Michael McDermott held his third annual Halloweensteen. People come from all over throughout the year just to see a McDermott show; he's considered one of the best lyrically.. .a real poet. Once a year (and one night only), close to Halloween, McDermott will play Springsteen songs. The shows are always a sell out and tickets go fast." Here's McDermott taking on "One Step Up" on Saturday night; you can also see "Thunder Road" online from Halloweensteen 2010.
And some nice knifework from Ramsey, NJ's Scott Donnelly, who last night passed along a shot of his "freshly cut jack-o-lantern inspired by the Born to Run photo shoot. It's not exactly the cover shot, but one of [Eric Meola's] 'Unseen Photos' used as a silouhette." Looks too good to smash — you gotta make that sucker into a pie today. - November 1, 2011
A GHOST FROM HALLOWEEN PAST
Thirty-one years ago tonight, Springsteen opened the second show of the River tour's fall 1980 Los Angeles Sports Arena stand by emerging from a coffin for a cover of Jumpin'
Gene Simmons' 1964 hit, "Haunted House," originally recorded in 1958 by Johnny Fuller. - October 31, 2011
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Our annual Monster T-Shirt Sale is on now, with every shirt in stock 20% OFF through Halloween night. That includes our Backstreets tees, our vast array of official Springsteen concert shirts, and even the Promise documentary DVD package with the bonus Darkness tee. A few have asked if we have any shirts with Clarence and Danny on them — we point to E Street Band shirts from both the Magic and WOAD tours.
We have shirts for men, women, boys, and ghouls... all of them are 20% off for the day, while sizes last, the discount applied when you use the coupon code JERSEYDEVIL at checkout. - October 30, 2011
TICKET ALERT: LIGHT OF DAY 12, ON SALE MOVED TO SATURDAY, NOV. 5
For the 12th annual Light of Day, the core of Bob Benjamin's benefits to fight Parkinson's Disease has been expanded to five days of activities in Asbury Park, NJ. More than 100 artists will play at at least 16 different events to be held at nine different venues in the city from Jan. 12 -16, 2012; Asbury Park Mayor Ed Johnson and the City Council have proclaimed it "Light of Day Week," in honor of the concert series which annually brings several thousand music fans to the city.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. this Saturday, October 29, noon on Saturday, November 5, available through Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets (including selected Walmart stores), and the Stone Pony box office.
The big night, as usual, is Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, January 14, when Vincent "Big Pussy" Pastore will host a line-up inlcuding David Bromberg, Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, Willie Nile, Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan, Garland Jeffreys, John Eddie, and the RockNRoll Chorus.
One night prior, on Friday, January 13, the Stone Pony will feature a tribute to the "Asbury Angels" — the musicians and other members of the local music scene who have passed on in recent years. Those being honored include Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Kevin Kavanaugh, Donnie Bertleson and John Luraschi. The concert will be headlined by the Sensational Soul Cruisers featuring J.T. Bowen, and will also feature the Nick Clemons Band, Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls (featuring Jason Federici), Boccigaluple & the Bad Boys, JoBonnano and the Godsons of Soul, and more.
For further information about the week's events, keep an eye on lightofday.org.
Update: Information above edited to reflect postponed onsale, now set for noon on Saturday, November 5 according to the Light of Day Foundation. - updated October 30, 2011
DATES SET FOR SPRINGSTEEN MUSEUM EXHIBIT'S EAST COAST RUN
The National Consitution Center made their official announcement today — the anniversary of the date Bruce Springsteen appeared on the covers of both TIME and Newsweek in 1975, as their press release points out — regarding the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Springsteen exhibit coming to Philly next year.
"It is fitting that the Center — the only museum dedicated to America's constitutional freedoms — is the first and only venue in the nation to host this exhibition from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum," said NCC President and CEO David Eisner. "We are certain that our visitors, from the most devoted Springsteen fans to those experiencing his music for the first time, will be inspired by his commitment to illuminating the struggles and triumphs of 'We the People.'"
From Asbury Park to the Promised Land will run at the Center from February 17to September 3, 2012. Click here for tickets. - October 27, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GARRY!
Mr. Garry W. Tallent turns 62 today, born October 27, 1949. Big birthday wishes go out from the woods of Caroline to the Tennessee Terror.
Live long, player.
Garry's Christmas CD, To Kate: A Benefit For Kate's Sake, is available again in our online shop, if you want to pick up a little something to mark the occasion. With the holidays on the horizon, it's a great Americana mix to have on hand with Christmas cuts from Joe Ely, BR549, Buddy & Julie Miller, Jim Lauderdale, John Prine, Jason & the Scorchers, Raul Malo, Steve Earle & Allison Moore, and more, all curated by the Foundation of the E Street Nation. - October 27, 2011 - photograph by A.M. Saddler
OFF E STREET: CATCH MAX & NILS LIVE IN JERSEY THIS WEEK Fresh from Springsteen's Boston College benefit[right], Max Weinberg has another Jersey Shore gig lined up for later this week — and a public one, at that! The Max Weinberg 7+ comes to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Thursday, October 27, for a much anticipated show rescheduled from September due to Hurricane Irene.
Max and his outfit are teaming up with Grammy Award winning vocalist, songwriter and Hammond B3 player extraordinaire Bill Champlin, and saxophone sensation Mindi Abair to create an evening of pop, funk and great rock 'n' roll guaranteed to kick out the jams. "Killer" Joe Delia and Thieves will open. Recipients of the proceeds from this charity event include the Light of Day Foundation, the Monmouth County-based Prevention First, and the Save U.S. Pets Foundation.
Tickets are still on sale and availabe at CountBasieTheatre.org, the Count Basie box office, or by phone at (732) 842-9000. Not a bad way to celebrate Garry Tallent's October 27 birthday, either!
More E Street action down the Shore Friday nght, October 28, as Nils Lofgren brings his acoustic duo format to the Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University. Tickets are available in person at the Monmouth University Box Offices or online at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices are $30 and $40, with limited Gold Circle seats for $75 which include a pre-show meet and greet with Nils. - October 25, 2011
IN STOCK NOW AT BACKSTREET RECORDS: BRIDGE SCHOOL LIVE SETS, 2012 BRUCE CALENDAR
Just released this week: the 2-CD and 3-DVD sets celebrating the 25th year of Neil and Pegi Young's Bridge School Benefits. Springsteen played the inaugural Bridge show back in 1986, and his (very first!) acoustic "Born the U.S.A." from that night kicks off both the CD and DVD set (which are otherwise pretty different).
We've got both in stock now at Backstreet Records and currently onsale as new releases.
Also just in: the official 2012 Bruce Springsteen calendar from Thrill Hill Productions. It's another beauty — maybe the best yet — with striking Darkness-era (or is that The Promise-era?) photography from Eric Meola and Frank Stefanko, and design that evokes Bruce's notebook from the Darkness deluxe reissue. Get a jump on the holidays and order yours now!
"THUNDER ROAD" AN ALL-TIME GREAT Time magazine has selected the 100 "most extraordinary English-language pop recordings since the beginning of Time magazine in 1923" for their All-TIME 100 Songs. The unranked list, covering ten decades, inlcudes "Thunder Road" — the only track here from Springsteen, but hey, the Beatles only get one, too. As does Dylan. (As does Richard Thompson, we were pleased to see, with "1952 Vincent Black Lightning.")
Of "Thunder Road,"Time's Josh Sanborn writes that "the E Street Band's wall of sound — Springsteen's talking guitar; the excitable, majestic piano; the high-pitched bells over the top throughout — encapsulated the music that the band would perfect throughout the 1970s and into the '80s."
BRUCE JOINED BY MAX, ROY, AND J.T. BOWEN FOR B.C. BENEFIT Springsteen's Third Annual Boston College Bar Band Bash took place Saturday night at the Stone Pony, another of Bruce's patented private affairs to raise money for his kids' schools. Bobby Bandiera's band, as usual, backed Bruce all night, along with extra E Street muscle from Max Weinberg on drums and Roy Bittan on piano. As Stan Goldstein reports for NJ.com, those in attendance incuded Governor Chris Christie, Tim Robbins, and Brian Williams.
The set was, as usual, a mix of originals and covers: "634-5789" is the now-traditional opener, and the Soul Cruisers' "Screamin'" Steve Barlotta added tenor sax to "Seven Nights to Rock," among others. Springsteen's own material was plucked straight from the uptempo bin: bar band classics from the Born in the U.S.A. album, a stunning "Pink Cadillac" with a stripped-down first verse, and '70s classics "Spirit in the Night" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out."
While Springsteen has got his template figured out at this point and most know what to expect, you never know what he might shake up. This time, the curveball was Red Bank Rocker J.T. Bowen taking the soul singer guest spot usually reserved for Southside Johnny, bringing Rescue songs to the set ("Savin' Up," "A Woman's Got the Power") and bringing the house down with "Soul Man."
"I was particularly struck by 'Tenth Avenue,'" a showgoer tells Backstreets. "There was a huge crowd reaction to 'the change was made uptown.' And it could have been just me hearing what I wanted to hear, but I heard a consoling Bruce, and it was about Clarence and the future of the band and the music and everything."
Weinberg spoke to Tom Cunningham the following morning, calling that particular performance "quite emotional": "The third verse, where Bruce sings 'the change was made uptown and the Big Man joined the band,' we stopped and the whole audience [sang the sax break]. It was chilling. I actually got chills when that happened."
But of course, Springsteen steered the mood to pure partydom by the end of the more than two-and-a-half-hour show. Imagine hanging out at the Pony while Bruce, Max, Roy and a whole stageful of Jersey pros close a private concert with a run of "Rosalita," "Havin' a Party," an audibled "Twist and Shout," and finally, Bruce alone for an acoustic "Thunder Road." As one attendee said afterward: "Holy mother of pearl, what a show."
For the full setlist from this and other recent performances,
see our Setlists page.
- updated October 24, 2011
WHAT'S ON THEIR IPOD?
In the new issue of Rolling Stone, "your favorite artists pick their favorite songs" for The 2011 Playlist Special. (And in a nice touch, RS.com has even provided links to the playlists on Spotify.)
Taking part this time around is Patti Scialfa, who focuses on Girl Groups for her top ten: "'It was the first time I heard young girls singing about emotion and sexuality,' recalls Scialfa of her earliest experience listening to girl groups from the Fifties and Sixties. 'They expressed the things you were supposed to hide.'" You'll recognize a few songs on her list from her spotlight moments at Springsteen's school benefits, including The Crystal's "Da Doo Ron Ron" and The Exciters' "Tell Him."
And then there's Melissa Etheridge, whose entire 15-song playlist is dedicated to Bruceuuuuuuu, "an American poet writing about my world in a way I could recognize and feel." It's well-annotated, too; she says of "Independence Day," "Sometimes Bruce is like Norman Rockwell with a sense of darkness underneath — a little David Lynch mixed in too. He's writing about the picture and what's going on underneath." - October 21, 2011
WONDER BAR TO HOST RELEASE PARTY FOR CLARENCE CHRISTMAS SONGS On Friday, November 18, The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ will host a very special record release party for "The Undiscovered Clarence Clemons Christmas Songs." In 1981, producers Dennis Bourke and Jim Nuzzo joined Clemons in a New Jersey studio to record the Bourke original (co-wrtitten by the late Stevie Betts), "There's Still Christmas." Clemons sings the tender lead vocal. The team also recorded an instrumental of the classic made famous by Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song," featuring Clemons on sax.
Bourke and Nuzzo recall that Clemons wore "Santa gear" as he recorded the tunes. A photo taken during the 1981 session is featured on the artwork for the tracks.
These songs have never been released. An iTunes on-sale is expected in the near future; view the Facebook fan page here.
The release party will be headlined by The Nick Clemons Band, fronted by Clarence's son, Clarence Clemons III (Nick, shown left — no family resemblance whatseoever!). The night will also feature the new Christmas songs, special guests The Bob Polding Band, Lisa Bianco and the Fury, and the Bar-Top Bandits dancers, and a presentation by Move for Hunger. That charitable organization, recently endorsed by Bruce Springsteen, mobilizes moving companies to collect and donate non-perishable food left by customers to local food banks. Move for Hunger is one of five finalists up for a One Million Dollar Chase Grant.
Thrilled to have achieved this release with the support of the Clarence Clemons Trust and Nick Clemons, the producers state, "Clarence has a parting Christmas gift to us all with these soon-to-be holiday classics. Open up your hearts and listen to the 'Big Man' say Merry Christmas to the world." Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and at the Stone Pony box office, Experience Asbury (4th Ave. at Boardwalk), and at the Concierge at Grand Arcade (weekends only). - October 21, 2011
SPEAKING OF GROWIN' UP...
The Bruce Springsteen Special Collection is off to college
"The Collection has almost a thousand books and magazines on myself and the band... more stuff than every place except my mother's basement!”
—Bruce Springsteen, 2001
Ten years ago, when Backstreets
gathered together the thousand or so publications that seeded the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection, we didn't imagine it would grow to the nearly 15,000-item, preeminent research collection that it has become. Well, sure, we had pipe dreams... but thanks to the generous contributions of fans around the world and supporters in the Friends of the Special Collection, dreams have become reality. As we reported earlier this week, the staggering growth of this "Springsteen Rare Book Room" has led to its relocation to Monmouth University, announced on Monday. And it's making the news:
THEY GROW UP SO FAST! It seems like only yesterday that Little Steven's Underground Garage was just toddling around on chubby little legs, learning to say things like "Hey Baby" and "Joey Ramone." Would you believe it's coming up on its 500th episode? Nearly ten years in, Steven's weekly syndicated radio program now has 1.2 million listeners in the U.S. alone and is broadcast on 148 stations in over 200 markets, making it the most successful Rock music radio program in the past 30 years.
Celebrate the milestone this Friday, October 21, from 6 to 10 p.m., with a live video stream of the 500th Show Celebration at Times Square's Hard Rock Cafe; the episode itself will air on terrestrial radio around the country and around the world over Halloween weekend, October 28 -30. Check here to see local affiliates.
Hey Stevie: Congratulations, baby. - updated October 20, 2011
FROM ASBURY PARK TO THE PROMISED LAND... TO PHILADELPHIA
Earlier this year, we reported that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's extensive Bruce Springsten exhibition would ride again, with plans to travel to Philly in 2012. Things are gettin underway for that East Coast debut in February at the National Constitution Center — according to the above, the first and only venue where From Asbury Park to the Promised Land is currently slated to travel. - October 19, 2011
WEIRD AL’S BARBECUE
Years before Bruce Springsteen recorded "Used Cars" for what became Nebraska, young Alfred Yankovic's song about his family's pre-owned vehicle also was "recorded on a cheap cassette player in his own bedroom." 2011 marks the 35th anniversary of the radio debut of "Belvedere Cruisin'" on the weekly syndicated radio show hosted by the legendary Dr. Demento...quite an exciting moment for young Yankovic, being at the time just another teenaged Demento fan who also happened to be quite adept on the accordion. Since then, "Weird Al" Yankovic has become the world's most commercially successful song-parodier. He recently marked his 35th anniversary in show-biz by releasing yet another top-ten album, Alpocalypse (featuring a great Lady Gaga parody that almost didn't make the cut), and a best-selling children’s book, When I Grow Up. In 2009, Weird Al even topped a Rolling Stonereaders' poll on artists who belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Alpocalypse Tour hit Red Bank, NJ’s Count Basie Theatre last week, deep in the heart of "Springsteen country." After the show, Al was kind enough to meet briefly with Backstreets for a special photo session, "Weird Al"-style. When it comes to The Boss we hoped to impress, but it looks like Al still prefers Alfred E. Neuman's take on the subject.
Though Yankovic has yet to release a parody of a Springsteen song, there still have been some notable Weird Al/Bruce intersections over the years. A "collaboration" of sorts occurred on the 1986 CBS television special Weird Al’s Guide to the Grammys. Al conducted a hilarious "interview" with Bruce that included a nod to the classic "No soap, radio" non-punchline. Later on in the show, "America's Polka King" Frankie Yankovic (no relation, believe it or not) joined Al for a polka medley of Record-of-the-Year nominees, leading off with "Born in the U.S.A." And in the heyday of MTV, whenever Weird Al had a new album to promote, he'd often appear on the channel hosting Al-TV and spoofing music-videos, including this "alternate version" of the "Brilliant Disguise" clip.
While performing "Glory Days" during the June 5, 1992 "Dress Rehearsal" radio broadcast launching his Human Touch/Lucky Town tour, Springsteen yelled to his band, "I see those albums, man... I see them goin' back up them charts!... I can see them all the way up past Weird Al Yankovic, even!... Oh, wait a minute... Al's got a hold of me... we're slippin' down them charts... uh-oh... outta sight...."
An episode of the late-'90s CBS Saturday morning series The Weird Al Show also guest-starred Clarence Clemons, lending his beautiful bass voice to a "song about cheese." Big Man apparently was a Big Fan of Weird Al and almost appeared on a Bo Diddley/"She’s the One"-style track from Yankovic’s album Poodle Hat. As Weird Al told Dr. Demento in a 2003 on-air interview, when first approached Clarence "was all excited about being on a Weird Al album, until he found out the name of the song was 'Party at the Leper Colony.' Then he kinda gracefully bowed out.” - October 18, 2011 - reporting and art direction by Shawn Poole - photographs by A.M. Saddler
SPRINGSTEEN SPECIAL COLLECTION MOVES ON What's the difference between the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection of 2001 and the Collection today? Well, if you like big numbers, try this: the number of books, magazines and other printed ephemera donated by fans increased the size of the Collection by a staggering 1,385% since the Collection was dedicated on December 8, 2001.
That's produced a repository exceptionally rich in rare and hard-to-find Springsteen documents. It also blew out the Collection's original storage capacity, precipitating a relocation to new digs on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ, as announced today by the University.
In its new home, the Collection will be housed in a Jersey Shore community with a deep connection to Springsteen performance history, dating to 1968 concerts by The Castiles. The Collection will have triple the amount of shelf space, allowing for expansion, and will operate as a collaboration between the University and The Friends of the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection, the longtime managers and archivists of the Collection. According to the University, the Collection is scheduled to reopen November 1 and will be publicly accessible by appointment.
"THE SOUL OF ASBURY PARK" CONCERT SET FOR NOV. 12 Following a standout show at the Wonder Bar this past April that featured Asbury Park legends Nicky Addeo and Southside Johnny and a surprise appearance by Bruce Springsteen, the Asbury Park Historical Society is sponsoring another concert celebrating the music of Asbury Park's West Side. The Soul of Asbury Park concert is scheduled for Saturday Nov. 12 at the Paramount Theater, and will include many of the same artists, including Billy Brown (Ray, Goodman & Brown) and Bobby Thomas, who will appear in a tribute to doo-wop legends The Orioles.
The concert will also feature "Mr. Asbury Park" Lenny Welch ("Since I Fell For You") and a reunion of The Broadways [pictured righ], who were mentioned several times by Bruce as a band he had opened for with The Castiles.
“This will be a special concert," says Historical Society president Don Stine," and if you missed our sold-out April 2 concert at the Wonder Bar, then this is probably your last chance to see all of these truly great Asbury Park West Side performers all together --ever again. We are urging everybody to get dressed up and make this the truly special, historic event that it is."
Tickets are $20 to $50, and are available through Ticketmaster or at Experience Asbury (Asbury Park boardwalk at Fourth Avenue). A limited number of tickets for the pre-show VIP reception (including a meet-and-greet cocktail hour with the performers) are also available at $100. - October 14, 2011 - Lisa Iannucci reporting - photograph courtesy of Don Stine
TICKET ALERT: BRUCE & JOE IN PITTSBURGH, ONSALE 10/18 Last November, Bruce Springsteen reteamed with Joe Grushecky to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their American Babylon record, with two shows at Pittsburgh's Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. This year... looks like it's a Sweet Sixteen party! Springsteen becomes an honorary Houserocker once again for two more shows, November 3 and 4 at Soldiers and Sailors.
Tickets for "Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Special Guest Bruce Springsteen" will go on sale Tuesday, October 18, at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. There is a four ticket limit per customer.
See all upcoming scheduled performances on our Tour/Ticket Info page
- October 13, 2011 - photograph by John Cavanaugh [Soliders & Sailors, 2010]
E STREET BAND UP FOR NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME: VOTE NOW!
It may not be the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... we're still waiting for that one... but the E Street Band has been nomintaed for the New Jersey Hall of Fame's Class of 2012. From now through Jaunary 1, the public will have a chance to vote for the E Streeters as the first group to receive the honor, the band being among the nominees announced today in the Arts & Entertainment category along with Alan Alda, Celia Cruz, Christopher Reeve, Connie Francis, Dionne Warwick, Dizzy Gilespie, Joe Piscopo, Michael Douglass, and Sarah Vaughan.
Springsteen himself is a New Jersey Hall of Famer already, embracing the honor with good humor and a magnificent speech when he was inducted with the inaugural class in 2008. Danny DeVito gavehis induction speech, and two years later, Bruce came back to return the favor, inducting DeVito in 2010. With any luck — and votes from the likes of us — Springsteen might just have a good reason to turn up again for the fifth annual ceremony.
Now through January 1, everyone can vote online at the Hall of Fame website: www.NJHallofFame.org. Inductees will be announced later that month. Let's help get them in: The Legendary! E! Street! Band!
HE WAS SOMETHING TO OBSERVE
Speaking with Andy Greene for Rolling Stone, Peter Gabriel lays to rest that apocryphal story about his future Human Rights Now! tourmate inspiring "Solsbury Hill." Gabriel also remains consistent about his "favorite gig list" with Springsteen, as ever second only to Otis Redding:
On a very random point, I've always read that "Solsbury Hill" was inspired not only by your decision to quit Genesis – but a Bruce Springsteen concert you saw in London in 1975. Is there any truth to that?
I'm trying to think, because I think that was written prior . . . I don't know. I saw Bruce's first gig in London, I think at the Odeon house. That blew me away. Second only in my favorite gig list to Otis Redding in 1967. But I don't think it's connected to "Solsbury Hill."
The story goes that Bruce is the "eagle that flew out of the nest" and you were so inspired that you wanted to leave Genesis and do your own thing. Is that just a bunch of hogwash?
I think that is hogwash. Because when I left Genesis, I just wanted to be out of the music business. I felt like I was just in the machinery. We knew what we were going to be doing in 18 months or two years ahead. I just did not enjoy that.
I remember that once I met Bruce at CBS. He had an armful of Roy Orbison records under his elbow. So I think he drew from rich veins of rock history and absorbed and pulled them together in a very interesting way with a great band.
- October 11, 2011
"BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: JUST THE STORIES" AVAILABLE NOW
First Red Dust, now this... our shelves are filling up!
- October 10, 2011 [broadcast October 8]
STONE PONY AS WE KNOW IT FACING FAMILIAR THREAT
Despite the slumping economy, Asbury Park master developer iStar Financial has plans to resume its oceanfront redevelopment schedule in the near future, and once again, the Stone Pony is in jeopardy.
Hopes were high that the historic venue would stay put when a planned relocation was put on hold several years back, and owners Madison Marquette have since invested significant time and money on structural improvements of the historic building.
But the Pony and surrounding block sit squarely in the redevelopment zone, and the Asbury Park Press recently reported that iStar is already moving on plans to build townhouses at the nearby intersection of Kingsley Street and Asbury Avenue. With the current plan calling for yet more condominium development along the Ocean Avenue corridor, iStar is looking to relocate the Stone Pony southward to a revamped Casino, where, surrounded by high-end retail and restaurants, it would be refashioned as a sort of "Hard Rock by the sea."
The move has not been finalized, and the city is still accepting input from the public; email the planning board at asburyplanning@gmail.com to voice your opinion.
- October 10, 2011 - Lisa Iannucci reporting - photograph by Mike Black
HOMESAFE CLASSIC SALUTES THE BIG MAN WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY
FREE DOWNLOAD: Clarence's unreleased "Garden of Memories"
On Saturday night, while Springsteen was feting Sting in NYC, other friends, family and fans of the Big Man gathered in Florida for this year's HomeSafe Classic. Clarence had been the spokesman and host for HomeSafe's annual event, raising funds to aid abused children and victims of domestic violence. This year the Classic was a trbiute to him, and the event raised nearly $300,000 for the cause.
John Colby, Clarence's long time music director, produced, played keyboards and led the house band The Temple of Soul, Clarence's band based in South Florida, and was joined on organ by Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge).
The evening began with with a drum jam: as Alan White (Yes) and Bobby Blotzer (RATT) played, the evenings' MC Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) joined on a third kit. "The School of Rock" featuring 2011 American Idol's Brett Lowenstern performed "Crazy Little Thing Called Love " and" Let It Be" live to video tributes to Clarence, featuring photos by James Shive, Barbara Pyle and Joe Lopez.
Pat Riley attended and spoke of his long relationship with Clarence and the meeting of their uncommon worlds: both had entertained thousands of people in thousands of arenas all over the world, spending decades perfecting what they did best. They even shared the same hip replacement doctor. Riley then introduced Clarence's widow Victoria.
Following Victoria's poignant tribute, in which she spoke much of joy and love, Clarence's nephew Jake Clemons performed the "Jungleland" solo with The Temple of Soul. "Jake just nailed it," says Colby, "he plays just like Clarence. And we synced it up with a video tribute using Barbara Pyle's photographs — it was unbelievably powerful."
"Pink Cadillac" followed, adding Clarence's brother Bill Clemons on baritone sax.
Davy Jones of the The Monkees' performance ("I'm a Believer" / "Daydream Believer") was followed by JT Bowen [pictured above with Jake Clemons], Clarence's lead singer with the Red Bank Bank Rockers ("Woman Got the Power" / "Jumpstart My Heart" / "Savin' Up" / "I Can't Turn You Loose" / "Knock on Wood" / "Mustang Sally" / "Try a Little Tenderness").
Gary U.S. Bonds performed next, joined by Alto Reed (Bob Seger Silver Bullet Band ) on sax, Mark Leimbach on guitar, and vocalists Laurie Anderson and Laurie Anderson Jr. ("Jole Blon" / "New Orleans" / "Out of Work" / "Dedication" / "Daddy's Come Home" / "This Little Girl" / "Quarter to Three"). The night concluded with everyone on stage for "You're a Friend of Mine."
The presence of Bruce Springsteen was felt throughout the evening with the music he wrote for Clarence & Bowen ("Savin' Up") and Bonds, as well as in the video tributes focusing on Scooter and the Big Man. "So many great old photographs of them together," says Colby, "the incredible journey of two guys as they conquered the world."
Having played shows with Clarence numbering into the triple digits, for Colby, Saturday night's event brought the reality of the loss home. "Everything up to this point, the services, it was all just surreal. What's more surreal than someone's passing that's unexpected? But this was the reality of not having Clarence there, unlike so many gigs before. The music ws really joyful, and yet of course it was bittersweet — especially the passing of the torch, watching his nephew channeling him right in front of us. For me, this was the night it became real."
To mark the occasion, we have a FREE download of a previously unreleased Clarence Clemons song, "Garden of Memories." Clarence's Temple of Soul shows usually ended with "Pink Cadillac," but he and Colby would often encore with this elegiac Big Man composition.
Get "Garden of Memories" now on our Downloads page.
- October 6, 2011 - photographs by Larry Marano
HELP BRUCE HELP MOVE FOR HUNGER
For decades, Bruce Springsteen has been helping hunger relief organizations around the country — sometimes quietly, always at his concerts — fight the good fight. Now, he's looking for help obtaining a milliion-dollar grant for Move For Hunger, which helps redistribute food around the U.S. As posted on brucespringsteen.net:
Move For Hunger works with moving companies to pick up the unopened, non-perishable food items people often leave behind, and deliver them to their local food bank. What started with one family moving company has grown to work with over 160 movers in 37 states. To date, we have collected over 330,000 lbs of food for those in need.
Move For Hunger is the ONLY hunger relief organization in the running for a million dollar grant through Chase Bank's Chase Community Giving. The organization needs your vote!
To Vote on Facebook: 1) Click Here. 2) Click the "Vote" button next to the Move For Hunger logo. Click "Allow Access."
Thanks!
Founder & Executive Director of MFH Adam Lowy says: "When Bruce gave us his support, we were blown away! When I first started Move For Hunger, I never could have dreamed of having someone as amazing as him become involved with our organization. He and his wife have always championed feeding the hungry. He mentions it at his concerts and has truly been a great advocate for the cause. As someone who was born and raised in New Jersey, it is unbelievable to have the Boss on our side!"
Let's help make it happen: read more here, or vote now!
- October 4, 2011
SPRINGSTEEN MEETS SOPHOCLES
The River provides soundtrack for Greek tragedy in Chicago Songs from The River set the mood for a current theater production in Chicago. (What could be a better combination than Sophocles with "Wreck on the Highway" and "Point Blank"?) Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses presents the playwright's seven surviving plays adapted by one of Chicago's most inventive theater directors — Sean Graney of The Hypocrites, a small but feisty company. I'm told that Graney was listening to songs about murders to accompany gory stories such as Oedipus, Elektra and Antigone and some lesser known plays such as Philoktetes and Ajax. He found the soundtrack he needed in The River album and chose about ten songs, which he excerpted, and in some cases revised the lyrics.
Cast members sang parts of the songs with minimal musical accompaniment: Elektra sang "Sherri Darling" in a muddy mad scene as she waited for her long-lost brother Orestes to return; Creon sang "The Ties That Bind" during a particularly dysfunctional family scene. Blood and gore were everywhere, but fortunately the plays were set in a contemporary hospital emergency room, so nurses and mops were on hand. Other songs performed in part were "Wreck on the Highway," "Stolen Car," "Fade Away," "The Price You Pay," "Drive All Night," "The River," "Two Hearts," and, to accompany gunfire, "Point Blank."
The seven plays were adapted to 20-30 minutes each, and the experience is close to four hours in all, including a dinner break with meal provided. But time flies! Finally, at the end and after enthusiastic audience applause, I was happy to hear the Springsteen cut of "Two Hearts" over the theater's sound system. It may sound odd, but the music really worked as illustrative of the human condition. And both Sophocles and Springsteen have something to tell us today. Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses runs until October 23 at the Chopin Theatre building in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. - October 4, 2011 - Nancy S. Bishop reporting
WE'LL SLEEP IN THE FIELDS OF GOLD IN THIS, ER, HARD LAND
Or, I Guess It's All
True What Your Girlfriends Say
Springsteen joined his old Human Rights Now! tourmate Sting at the Beacon in New York last night, for the Tantric One's 60th birthday concert. Performing material from his Police and solo careers, Sting was joined by numerous guests including Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Branford Marsalis, and particularly stellar turns from Rufus Wainwright, Lady Gaga, will.i.am, and Metropolitan Opera star Bryn Terfel. Around 25 musicians were on stage at any time, with the back row containing a brass and string section. Sting kept the groove jazz-heavy, with only his duet with Bruce on "Can't Stand Losing You" and Lady Gaga's killer version of "King Of Pain" (on piano, she was pounding the keys with her foot at one point) as the two songs which rocked out hard.
Springsteen was the final guest of the night to take the stage, three hours into the four-hour show — at which point the birthday boy left it to him. Bruce was the only guest artist who got stage to himself. He did three songs, all Sting-penned: "I Hung My Head" on the Telecaster; a you-could-hear-a-pin-drop version of "Fields of Gold," solo acoustic; then his duet with Sting on the Outlandos d'Amour classic "Can’t Stand Losing You." Jaw-dropping.
The energy level in the room dialed way up when Bruce took the stage, and of course he brought up the legend of Sting having sex for days on end: "Happy birthday, buddy. I've known Sting for 23 years; we met in 1988 on the Amnesty tour and established a long friendship. It's very unusual, when I read about him, I never recognize him as the guy I know. I pick up a magazine and read that Sting can make love for 29 hours. I wonder why he never mentioned that to me? After four hours, I think you're supposed to seek medical attention. Most last for 28 hours, 55 minutes less... Stay hard, brother!" The crowd was howling.
Bruce and the whole entourage came out for "Every Breath You Take," making the song swing. Billy Joel and Lady Gaga were trading choruses on a shared mic, having a great time. Finally Bruce was there, too, for a closing serenade of "Happy Birthday" that found Sting's wife Trudie leading a Gaelic bagpipe troupe as they marched from the lobby down the aisles, a lengthy celebratory number. Sting said it was the best birthday he ever had. A great night for the rest of us, too, and good to see Bruce back on stage doing his thing. - October 2, 2011 - Bill Noke reporting; additional reporting by Brian Lattman
ROCK 'N' ROLL SATURDAY NIGHT
Tomorrow, October 1, is a big night: Down in Florida, it's The Classic Rock & Roll Party: A Tribute to Clarence Clemons, a benefit for HomeSafe. For the last five years Clarence hosted this top-notch charity event, raising considerable funds for the non-profit organization to help victims of child abuse and domestic violence. For this year's Classic, family and friends come together to continue and honor Clarence's work. With Bill Clemons now on board, that brings the number of Clarence's family members involved to three: Brother Bill on baritone sax, nephew Jake on lead sax, and wife Victoria giving a live, personal tribute to her husband. Also performing will be Gary U.S. Bonds, JT Bowen, the Temple of Soul, and more.
In addition to live entertainment, Eric Meola has donated a signed artist's proof to the charity, to be auctioned off at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday night. This image [above], from the book Born to Run: The Unseen Photos, is Eric's favorite image from that shoot and was the inspiration for Clarence and Bruce's back-to-back stance for 2009's E Street Band Super Bowl appearance. Watch for a couple more Meola prints to be auctioned for HomeSafeonline in the coming weeks.
Also on Saturday: Springsteen will take the stage at NYC's Beacon Theatre, joining Sting to celebrate Mr. Sumner's 60th birthday. If you're attending the festivities, we'd greatly welcome your report! - September 30, 2011 - photograph by Eric Meola
BRIDGE SCHOOL SHOWS GET 25th ANNIVERSARY COMP, DUE OCT. 24 With the Tom Joad and Devils & Dust tours (and numerous other strumfests over the last 20-something years), we've become accustomed to Bruce in stripped-down mode. But back around the Born in the U.S.A. stadium days, Springsteen hadn't played a full acoustic set since the early '70s — until he took the Shoreline Amphitheater stage for Neil Young's Bridge Benefit on October 13, 1986. With that 25th anniversary fast approaching, a new release will celebrate a quarter-century of Young's now-annual concerts supporting the Bridge School.
With so many great nights to draw from, a compilation like this was bound to be a goldmine of performances, while not exactly a goldmine for Bruce or any other individual artist. So there's nothing here from Springsteen's return appearance in '95, which previewed the Joad tour. But the set — both the 2CD and 3DVD packages — kicks off with his stunning, unprecedented acoustic "Born in the U.S.A." from '86. It joins "Fire," on Springsteen'sVideo Anthology, as another officially released clip from 10/13/86.
The Bridge School 25th Anniversary Edition CD and DVD sets drop on October 24. For more details, including a trailer and full track listing for each, visit the title's Reprise webpage. - September 28, 2011
FOR YOU RAFFLE ENDS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
In support of the Marathon of Hope - The Terry Fox Run, Lawrence Kirsch, publisher of For You: Original Stories and Photographs by Bruce Springsteen’s Legendary Fans and The Light in Darkness, is holding a raffle with a chance to win a brand new copy of For You. The book has been sold out since December 2008 (first edition copies of For You often sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay, and there are currently no plans for a second edition), and this one is signed by Kirsch. Raffle tickets, proceeds of which benefit cancer research, can be purchased until Sunday, October 2 — click here for the full scoop. - September 27, 2011
"I DON'T GET NERVOUS FOR MUCH..."
Above, Tom Morello talks about performing "The Ghost of Tom Joad" with the E Street Band as an inspiration for his latest Nightwatchman effort, World Wide Rebel Songs. Watch him take on "Joad" again in a recent performance for Rolling Stone here. And don't forget we've got a free Nightwatchman mp3 available now on our Downloads page. - September 26, 2011
THE 2011 BOSS DAY SALE AT BACKSTREET RECORDS
A lotta stores have Presidents' Day sales... here, we've got Boss Day. To help celebrate Springsteen's 62nd, we're having a shop-wide sale: get 9.23% off your entire Backstreet Records order of any amount! From now through the weekend, that's 9.23% off everything we sell. Just use the coupon code BOSSDAY11, and the discount will be applied across the board at checkout.
To everybody who took advantage of our pre-order sale for the new edition of Frank Stefanko's book of Springsteen portraits: we received our stock of Days of Hope and Dreams this week, and your copy is on its way to you now. Thanks for pre-ordering with us.
This new, second edition, unlike the first edition, is a hardcover, coffee table edition with a new cover photograph. If you missed the pre-order sale, the book is in stock now, and this Boss Day sale is another chance to get a discount! This and many other Springsteen books and songbooks and... well, everything we sell, all 9.23% off through Sunday midnight.
Don't forget to use the coupon code at checkout: BOSSDAY11
- September 23, 2011
62 CANDLES
Raise a glass, people — today the man himself turns 62. And as usual, Springsteen is looking forward, not back: this very morning comes news from the Associated Press that "Steve Van Zandt says Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will get together over the next couple of weeks to discuss how the band will proceed without Clarence Clemons."
The Big Man — "'That's a void we will never replace' Van Zandt said. But the E Street Band guitarist feels they will still play music until the end because he says: 'That's what we do'."
Happy birthday, Boss Man — good luck figuring it all out, and may the year to come hold joyful noise, for you and for all of us. - September 23, 2011
A NIGHT SO TENDER
Last month
Graziano Romani held his annual fan gathering in Italy, which this year was dedicated to Clarence Clemons. Here's "Jungleland." And at the risk of sounding like a broken record: if you like the sound of this, consider it an appetizer and check out his tribute disc, Soul Crusader: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen. From song selection (nothing obvious) to performance, a very tasty dish. Not the easiest thing to find here in the States, but Graziano makes sure our larder is stocked. - September 21, 2011
CATCH MAX LIVE NEXT WEEK — IN NYC, OR ONLINE Live HD webcast on Thursday 9/22 As announced yesterday, Max Weinberg will be sharing a stage with Springsteen at the Stand Up for Heroes benefit in November, leading his Big Band. If you want to catch Max sooner, you'll get a chance next week with a Max Weinberg 7 performance that's being broadcast live online — in 24-track HD audio and HD video, no less. The Max Weinberg 7 plays a series of shows at Manhattan's historic Iridium (best known as the home of Les Paul), September 22 - 24. View the entire first night at theiridium.com/iridiumlive, Thursday 9/22 beginning at 8:00 pm. For more information on the three-night stand visit theiridium.com, with tickets onsale now at ticketweb.com.
9/18 update: The shows are still happening, but the Livestreaming no longer is. - updated September 18, 2011
HOMESAFE TRIBUTE TO CLARENCE COMING UP ON OCT. 1
Jake Clemons, Bowen, and Bonds to honor C in South Florida Following Clarence Clemons' death, HomeSafe was designated by his family as the officially-named recipient of donations being made in his honor and memory. For the last five years, the Big Man helped raise millions for the South Florida non-profit, hosting his Clarence Clemons Classic Rock & Roll Party annual fundraiser. This year, that event becomes The Classic Rock & Roll Party — A Tribute to Clarence Clemons.
On October 1 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollwood, FL, the benefit will being together the Temple of Soul as house band, Jake Clemons, Gary U.S. Bonds, J.T. Bowen, Davy Jones, and more for night of music to honor the Big Man's and HomeSafe's continuing mission of helping victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Clarence's longtime music director John Colby is doing the honors production-wise, and Nicko McBrain (did you know Clarence was buddies with the Iron Maiden drummer?) will emcee. Victoria Clemons, Clarence's widow, will give a live, personal tribute to her husband followed by a video tribute.
Tickets are $500 per person, and include a full course meal, beverages, and live entertainment. For more information, tickets, and sponsorship opportunities, visit theclassicforhomesafe.org. - September 15, 2011
BRUCE BACK AT THE BEACON FOR WOODRUFF "HEROES" BENEFIT For the fifth year, Springsteen will perform at the annual Stand Up for Heroes benefit in November, a New York Comedy Festival benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Also returning are the Max Weinberg Big Band and Jon Stewart, with Ricky Gervais and Jim Gaffigan on the bill as well. This "night of hope, healing and laughter" takes place at the Beacon Theatre on November 9.
THE MAN FROM MARS STOPPED EATIN' CARS, AND NOW HE ONLY EATS GUITARS
Sure, there have been plenty of new-album rumors flying around lately, but who the heck saw this coming? As The Onion reports: "Bruce Springsteen Releases New Sci-Fi Concept Album About Struggles of Poor Miners Working on Mars."
Songs on the new Red Dust include "Dead Man's Home," "Icecap Cadillac," "Solid Ground" and "Martian Shoulders." Springsteen says,"These are songs about growing up on a tough planet... The Martians aren't trying to run away from their lives or make excuses. They're proud of what they do and where they're from, even if the high-impact ion-compression carbonate mining industry isn't what it used to be."
IN PJ20, SPRINGSTEEN LOOKS INTO THE REARVIEWMIRROR "The first songs I heard of Pearl Jam's, I believe, were 'Alive' and then 'Jeremy'... I knew from that tremolo and the power of their band that Eddie and Pearl Jam were going to find themselves smack dab in the middle of it all."
Today is the release of Pearl Jam Twenty, the companion book to the documentary of the same name marking that band's 20th anniversary. A comprehensive look of the history of that band, authored by Jonathan Cohen, the book includes quotes and photographs from many friends and admirers, including one Bruce Springsteen.
In original interviews conducted specifically for the book, Bruce speaks about his first exposure to the band, Eddie's appearances onstage with the E Street Band, and his thoughts regarding the reason for the band's success and longevity.
Most notable is Bruce's observation of Eddie's 10/13/04 appearance with the E Street Band at the Continental Airlines Arena as part of the Vote For Change tour:
"Eddie joining us was a small revelation. As we broke into 'Better Man,' it became obvious, as the audience sang loudly along, that they were as familiar with Pearl Jam's music as they were with mine."
There's also an interesting observation about Bruce from Eddie Vedder. Discussing the day after the 2004 elections: "I didn't get out of bed," Vedder remembers. "However, while I couldn't get myself out of bed, I heard that Springsteen on that day was making a call to someone he makes with records with saying, 'I have to make a record.' Two different approaches there."
The book is a remarkable package of history from the band's perspective, filled with photographs and information from every one of the band's 20 years together. Bruce's final comment about the band's longevity echoes some of the things he's said about the E Street Band over the years:
"To keep your band alive for a long period of time requires the questions you're writing and dealing with to remain open. That can be uncomfortable and difficult if not impossible to sustain for a lot of artists, but it constantly pumps fresh blood into your group. That sense of continuing adventure, along with the ability to physically and emotionally hold it together, thwarts most artists aspiring to long careers."
The book is a beautiful and exhaustive autobiography chronicling the band's history through their perspective. - September 13, 2011 - Caryn Rose reporting
FREE DOWNLOAD: TOM MORELLO THE NIGHTWATCHMAN
Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello blew minds on the Magic tour when he joined Bruce and the E Street Band for a scorching "The Ghost of Tom Joad." Their initial performance was captured for posterity on the Wrecking Ball 10-inch and, in both audio and video formats, the Magic Tour Highlights digital EP.
That electric version notwithstanding, it was actually Springsteen's Tom Joad troubadour mode that inspired Morello's solo project, The Nightwatchman. "My transformative live experience — the first time I saw Bruce and was bowled over — was the Ghost of Tom Joad tour," Morello tells Backstreets. "I was very moved at how heavy and powerful a solo acoustic performance could be. That definitely planted the seeds for my later Nightwatchman work."
As Springsteen said in his concert intro, "Tommy also makes great acoustic records." But as time has gone by, Morello's Nightwatchman recordings have evolved to encompass a wider sonic spectrum, reincorporating Rage-style riffs. He tells us that his new one, World Wide Rebel Songs, is "Part Johnny Cash, part Che Guevara, and part Marshall stack. That was the modus operandi. This is the 14th studio record of my career, and I figured if I'm not comfortable now with all elements of my artistic personality, I'm never going to be."
The vinyl LP drops tomorrow, and the CD is avaialble now. Thanks to Tom, we've got a FREE download of a track from World Wide Rebel Songs, "It Begins Tonight" — check it out on our Downloads page now. "The song 'It Begins Tonight' I wrote as an opening song for the concert. I wanted somethng that would encapsulate both musically and personally what I'm about this time around: it has the political angst and the somewhat bleak world view... but it's got a hell of a guitar solo," he laughs.
- September 12, 2011 - photograph by Levi Pervin [levrock.com]
JACKET'S ON, I'M OUT THE DOOR
Some classic Stone Pony memorabilia is on the auction block now: two of Pony DJ Lee Mrowicki's satin jackets. Both eBay auctions end tomorrow — check out his black jacket from 1977, and the silver staff jacket from the '80s. - September 12, 2011
A DREAM OF LIFE "First people were saying to me that it was a 9/11 album," says Dave Marsh of The Rising. "And I'd say no, it's about 9/12. And then as I listened more I realized: well, that's an element of it, but it really is about coming to terms with our mortality."
Marsh spoke at length with Los Angeles DJ Mike Stark shortly after the album was released, and LA Radio Studio now presents a three-part podcast that integrates Marsh's observations with the album itself, for a track-by-track analysis. If you're spending any time listening to The Rising today, as many are, you'd be well served to check out this "extended remix," hosted at spinbridge.com. Listen online, or download mp3s of the podcast: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3. - September 11, 2011
ONE FOR THE WEEKEND
Rose Center for Earth and Space, New York City, August 29, 2002.
- September 10, 2011
FREE DOWNLOAD: NILS LOFGREN'S "WHEN YOU ARE LOVED" Nils Lofgren has written a new song regarding 9/11, which he's sharing in memory of all who were, and continue to be, affected by this tragic day. Titled "When You Are Loved," it's a song honoring heroes, victims, and families. Says Nils:
"When You Are Loved" is a song written to honor the love, courage and spirit of the 9-11 victims and their surviving family members. In this instance, a grieving wife and mother, with a young son, finds the strength and spirit to carry on, honoring her fallen husband and loving their child.
Whether a fireman, policeman, EMT or any of the hundreds of first responders and citizens who heroically gave their lives saving others, in addition to the thousands of victims, the surviving parents and family of every age, now have a mountain of grief to navigate and we all remain inspired and grateful at their dignity and spirit on this lifelong, overwhelming journey.
May God bless you all and may God bless America. —Nils Lofgren
Get the "When You Are Loved" mp3 now on our Downloads page.
Plus: Nils will be a special guest on Tom Cunningham's Bruce Brunch this weekend, a special three-hour edition on Sunday morning, September 11. "The songs from The Rising will naturally be the cornerstone of the show," Tom tells us, along with classic Springsteen NYC songs and those about "community & friendship & faith & hopes & dreams." WhyHunger founder Bill Ayres guests, too. Tune in an hour earlier than usual, at 8 a.m. Eastern, to catch the full three hours. The Bruce Brunch is on 105.7 The Hawk at the Jersey Shore and streaming everywhere at 1057thehawk.com. - September 9, 2011
FLASHBACK: ON THE STREETS OF COPENHAGEN
Bruce Springsteen's recent busker-do in Boston Public Garden is a story with legs, being picked up this week by outlets including CNN.com. For many fans, it was a flashback to another Boss encounter from way back in the Tunnel of Love era — a busking performace that lasted far longer than 27 seconds.
On July 23, 1988, Springsteen encountered Icelandic street musician Jón (Sir JoJo) Magnússon on Stroget, the popular car-free strolling zone in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Friends of the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection recently spoke with Magnússon: performing for change in front of a shuttered porn theater that day, he was approached by "a guy who asked me if I could play some Bruce songs for Bruce, because he would be coming down the street. I was used to that kind of joke, so I didn’t believe him. Then I looked and I saw somebody walking with a tall man, and thought that he could be Bruce Springsteen. So I called out 'Hey Bruce, why don't you come and play us the real thing?'"
As Magnússon told The Friends, he and other musicians on the streets of Copenhagen were "running with one another, playing cafes and chasing rainbows. We were very poor at the time, just making money for beer and butter." Then, a strange twist. "The guy I was playing with had gone to get a beer, to get ready for the cafes." So when he called out to Springsteen, Magnússon had an extra guitar.
At first, Springsteen kept walking, but suddenly he made a U-turn and walked back. Magnússon handed him a guitar. A small crowd gathered, all "too surprised to know what their reaction should be. Superstars didn’t do stuff like this." Springsteen, however, launched into "I'm on Fire" with Magnússon as stunned as anyone. "I felt a moment like this wouldn't come again, so I went behind his back and started strumming along — I didn’t really know how to play his songs, except in a street [sort of] way. I saw he got a little bit, 'Wow, what’s going on?,' but he just kept on playing.”
After the last "ooh, ooh, ooh I'm on fire" faded away, people started calling out requests. Springsteen proposed "Hungry Heart." Magnússon didn’t know the chords, but he knew some for "The River," which seem to suit Springsteen. Thereafter, unwilling to stop at two, Magnússon suggested "Dancing in the Dark." "He got on with that, too, though he knew by then that I was just another street kid making the best I could out of the instrument I had."
When the three-song set came to an end, Springsteen resumed his stroll, and Magnússon continued "busking streets and clubs up and down Europe" until 2001, when he settled down "in my little hometown, Reykjavik, Iceland." There he does charity work, helping young people with their musical careers, and getting involved in anti-violence campaigns. He's working with Austrian musician Nikolaus Kattner to bring attitude-laden street music indoors and has recorded Icelandic folk rock with a variety of guest musicians.
Initially, Magnússon looked back on that day with a mixture of emotions. Even a street musician fleetingly connected to Springsteen suddenly finds that "people start placing you into a frame to be something that you aren't, so it was a bit of frustration and confusion from time to time and I certainly was not really prepared to live up to it. But for real, I never did see this as so serious as so many have since. For me this was just a moment of fun. The rich man and the poor man. For us street players everyone simply is a star on the street, but I'm forever thankful for the joy and the love he shared with us all — as he still does as a great musician and performer."
Magnússon donated the guitar Springsteen played that day to an underground auction in support of opening a music house in Reykjavik. "It still even had the same strings"” says Magnússon.
THATSAME UNBELIEVABLE BLUE
One of our favorite writings on 9/11 and The Rising, by Toby Sullivan, is back online:
The night before the solstice in June we sat in the kitchen in Uganik Bay staring at the water in front of the cabin and the sun falling into the mountains on the mainland. There were twenty-six hundred pounds of red salmon on the day's fish ticket tacked to the wall, and after supper we just sat there putting off doing the dishes, content in our exhaustion, listening to the radio chatter of the other fishermen in the bay. The voices slowly died off and then the only sounds were the low surf on the beach, the shifting of one of us in his chair, a bottle touching a glass, my eleven-year-old son's spoon stirring his cocoa. I thought about calling it a day and going to bed, but then Jeremy, a friend I had hired as a crewman, got up and put on Bruce Springsteen's The Rising. "You gotta hear this," he said. "It's about 9/11, but y'know, I think it fits tonight. I'm not sure why."
GLORY DAYS IN RIMINI IS BACK FOR LUCKY 13 The annual Springsteen weekend in Italy, Glory Days in Rimini, is being held for the 13th year, this year a whopping five days dedicated to Bruce: from September 29 to October 3, 2011.
This year's "Gotta Get That Feeling" gathering is being dedicated to the memory of Clarence Clemons. Fans from all over Europe will gather for a weekend that kicks off on Thursday with an unplugged show, and continues through Monday with Bruce-centric performances from Miami & the Groovers, Daniele Tenca, Daniele Rizzetto, Antonio Zirilli, Glory Days host Lorenzo Semprini and more. Saturday afternoon will bring a special look at Zurich '81. All events are free — find out more at www.glorydaysinrimini.net. - September 8, 2011 - photographs by Eric Meola
SOUNDCHECKING THE RISING
Today on WNYC's Soundcheck, film critic A.O. Scott looks back at The Rising: "powerful and popular... full of hope... [a] tribute to sacrifice and redemption." Listen here.
HOW FAR I'VE GONE The Rising won't turn ten until next year — July 30, to be precise — but the milestone is being marked early, thanks to the ten-year anniversary of 9/11 this coming Sunday. In the Philadelphia Inquirer, Dan Deluca writes: "When it comes to music inspired by Sept. 11, nothing looms larger than The Rising.... [the album] stands apart for the scope of its ambition, and its typically Springsteenian acceptance of a job that needed to be done."
The National Catholic Weekly America delves into The Rising and its message from a spiritual standpoint:
...Springsteen and his E Street Band opened a kind of contemplative space, through music and poetry, for the possibility of something unexpected in the wake of evil: a moment for self-examination, healing and grace. Now, nearly 10 years later, the album deserves fresh consideration, not least for the way it navigates the vexatious relationship between memory and hope—hope, that is, for something more than the same cycle of retribution, bloodshed and despair.
There's The Rising as teaching aid, and as solace: with "Measuring Time: Music for 9/11/11," New York's WNYC has been polling its listeners on what music they'd like to hear "as you thunk about the events of ten years ago." According to guardian.co.uk, The Rising has been tracking at number 3, topped only by Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" and Ralph Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending."
9/7 update: Across the Atlantic, the Netherlands Broadcasting Foundation has a piece called "Popcultuur verwerkt 9/11 voorzichtig (Pop culture processes 9/11 carefully)," which leads with a look at The Rising: "Tragedy can inspire.... The Spanish Civil War gave us Picasso’s Guernica. The First World War gave us the British War Poets. Without Vietnam, no Apocalypse Now. But it’s remarkable how all the different forms of art needed its own period of incubation after 9/11. One of the first artists who reacted with his work on the attacks was Bruce Springsteen...." [Thanks to Mary'sPlace for the translation.] - Updated September 7, 2011
SOMEWHERE ACROSS THE BORDER After Springsteen borrowed busker David Gonalez's guitar and strummed one of his tunes (see video below), local media spoke with the Argentinian native for some back story. In addition to the WHDH report above, the Boston Globe reports:
The busker told the Boss he'd never seen him in concert, but tried in 1989 when Springsteen... played a benefit for Amnesty International in Buenos Aires. Gonzalez was living in Patagonia at the time and couldn’t afford the trip.
"I told him the music I make is music therapy," said Gonzalez. "Music is the only way we can win from oppression. We need it every day. That’s what I told him."
He then asked if Bruce wanted to play a song. Smiling, Springsteen politely declined, but he did strum a riff from one of Gonzalez’s songs....
As he was leaving, Bruce put his hand in his pocket and dropped a few bucks into the guitar case. Gonzalez won’t say how much, but it was generous.
"He said, 'This is for that trip you never made,' " said Gonzalez.
- September 5, 2011
MAN MEETS ALBUM AND THEY FALL IN LOVE Saf Manzoor, author of Greetings From Bury Park, champions Springsteen's perennially underrated Tunnel of Love:
Rock music can sound hopelessly naïve as one enters adulthood; songs become vehicles for nostalgic time travel. The genius of Tunnel of Love is that its themes have become more pertinent with time; adulthood is after all a process of accepting the absence of absolute certainty and Tunnel of Love is a record riddled with doubt and the impossibility of truly knowing oneself or those to whom we entrust our love: in the words of Brilliant Disguise: "God have mercy on the man who doubts what he's sure of." I know of no other album that has better captured the messy three dimensional reality of relationships.
Read "My favourite album: Tunnel of Love by Bruce Springsteen" at guardian.co.uk.
- September 2, 2011
SECRET GARDEN It's back-to-school time, and Bruce is back in Boston... which led to this suprise bit of busking in the Boston Public Garden yesterday, as reported on the Boston Herald website. Springsteen sure is getting stingy with his concert performances, though. Remember when they were, like, five-hour marathons? Yeah, this was an acoustic show... but still. - September 2, 2011
OCTOBER 1: FOR STING'S 60th, A NYC SERENADE FROM BRUCE Well, it ain't a tour... but there's at least one performance now scheduled for the Boss this fall. Sting, celebrating his 60th birthday as well as 25 years as a solo artist, is hosting a big benefit concert in New York on October 1; according to Sting.com, his old Human Rights Now! tourmate Bruce Springsteen will be among the night's "special guest performers." The concert will benefit the Robin Hood Foundation to fight poverty in New York City.
Besides reuniting Springsteen with fellow guest Lady Gaga, the concert will also put him back on stage with E Street alum (now-longtime Sting keyboardist) David Sancious. Also announced as guests: Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Branford Marsalis, and more. Unfortunately tickets won't be availabe to the general public, but Sting.com fanclub members get a shot as of today. See Sting.com for further details. - August 31, 2011
WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS: NILS LOFGREN, 8/27/11 Thanks to the amazing talent of the man the Boss so accurately introduces as "the great, great Nils Lofgren," a highly enthusiastic crowd of about 400 was treated to an incredible night on Saturday here in Las Vegas. Nils was in amazingly good form at the Sunset Station Casino in Henderson — or as he put it, "great to be back here in Henderson, Nevada... and surrounding suburbs." Along with Greg Varlotta, the multi-faceted musician who served as, in Nils' words, "our band tonight," Nils illustrated why he has long been revered as one of rock's great, and greatly underrated, musicians. Not only did he perform some scathing electric and acoustic solos, but added electric harp and even some sort of "walking stick" to his list of instruments he mastered for the evening's performance.
Highlights of the evening included a beautiful opening tune, best described perhaps as Neil Young-esque in the best sense of that term, called "Too Many Miles"; a few well placed nods to his solo '80s hits; and a lovely version of his "Black Books" as featured on The Sopranos. A beatific, and both heartfelt and heart-wrenching "I Miss You C" was dedicated to his "close friend" who recently passed, the once, and future, Biggest Man You'll Ever See. But the most memorable moment was a scorching version — featuring that solo we've all come to know and shake our heads in disbelief at — of the Boss' "Because the Night." (But hey, don't take my word for it, watch the video and shake your own head.)
Of course, Nils being Nils, he also graciously stayed after the show to sign autographs, and pose for photos with grateful fans.
As you may have read, we've been going through some pretty tough times here in Sin City in recent years — but one of the few great things remaining about living here in America's Foreclosure Capital is being privy to great entertainment, and specifically, getting to see wondrous shows such as this one, in an intimate setting, by one of this country's greatest living musicians.
In a year of much sadness, and as the E Street Nation begins to pick up the pieces in a "post-C" world, I was reminded after this inspiring show of the late Teddy Kennedy's speech in which he said: "the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." Because, as we were reminded on Saturday, the night (still) "belongs to us."
Nils hits the road again in October, for a string of shows in the northeast. See nilslofgren.com for dates.
- August 31, 2011 - Phil Levine reporting - photograph by Scott Harrison
THE RETURN OF DAYS OF HOPE AND DREAMS In 2003, Frank Stefanko released his book of photographs of Bruce Springsteen taken from 1978 to 1982. The photographs were from shooting sessions with Bruce and the E Street Band while working on album covers for Darkness on the Edge of Town, The River, and Nebraska. Along with many insightful and intimate images of Bruce and the Band, Frank invites the reader to join him at these sessions, writing a warm, narrative that places the reader at the scene, and gives you a perspective as if you were there.
The first edition of the book, printed as a softcover, sold out in the first few years — copies have since appeared on eBay for big dollars. We are delighted to announce that, by popular demand, after a long wait, the second edition of Days of Hope and Dreams: An Intimate Portrait of Bruce Springsteen by Frank Stefanko (with an introduction by Bruce Springsteen, and a foreword by Chris Murray) will be released by Insight Editions in early September.
This new, second edition, unlike the first edition, will be a hardcover, coffee table edition with a new cover photograph. This will be the only change from the first edition.
JERRY LEIBER, R.I.P. Jerry Leiber, one of the great pop rock lyricists, died last Monday at the age of 78. If a pop tune in the 1950s and 1960s charted, it was likely written by Leiber and his songwriting partner Mike Stoller. The two figured out how to combine their love of rhythm and blues with pop to make unforgettable rock 'n' roll. Leiber's lyrics gave voice to the desires and dreams of a generation of teenagers. They wrote "Hound Dog" in 1952 for Big Mama Thornton, but it became a signature hit for Elvis in 1956. They went on to write "Jailhouse Rock," "King Creole," and other classics for Presley.
Leiber and Stoller also wrote, with Ben E. King, "Stand by Me" — a song that has been covered hundreds of times, including a live version performed by U2 and Bruce in Philadelphia in 1987. Other hits include "Kansas City," "Love Potion No. 9," "Yakety Yak," and "There Goes My Baby." Springsteen's musical education, whether he knew it or not, owed a great deal to the songs of Leiber and Stoller. When he performed "Spanish Harlem" in 1974 at Union College, he may have thought he was covering a song written in 1960 by Ben E. King, but it was yet another masterpiece produced by the incomparable team of Leiber and Stoller. - August 28, 2011 - Louis P. Masur reporting
THANKS TO THE BOSS, A PROMISING DIRECTION FOR TIFF This year's Toronto International Film Festival gets underway in just a couple weeks, and it's heavy on rock docs: coming to to TIFF will be Neil Young for another Jonathan Demme concert film, members of U2 for a documentary on the making of Achtung Baby, Pearl Jam and Cameron Crowe for the premiere of Pearl Jam Twenty. Who gets credit for all the rockage? Steve Pond writes for The Wrap:"...if you're looking for reasons why this year's TIFF wants to rock around the clock, a good place to start might be the sellout audiences, long lines and wild enthusiasm that greeted Bruce Springsteen in Toronto '10."
INCIDENT ON OCEAN AVENUE A week ago tonight in Asbury Park, Stone Pony house band Outside the Box tackled Bruce Springsteen's second record onstage from start to finish, with an encore featuring guest Vini Lopez. Backstreets photographer Michael Zorn was there...
In one of the most anticipated shows at the Stone Pony in recent memory — at least since the Jukes tackled Men Without Women — Outside the Box lived up to the hype. I hadn't heard them live, just the new album Bridge. I got the chance to hear soundcheck, and to shoot them a little strolling the boardwalk and as they were getting ready backstage, using the last few moments to work on the rich, complicated melodies of The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. I had no doubt that this was going to be something special.
Frontman Jeff Cafone took an LP of Wild & Innocent, placed it right in front of the kick drum, and we were off. Of note, an absolutely blistering "Kitty's Back," followed by a beautifully done "Wild Billy," overflowing with the sounds you'd expect. Organist/keyboardist Mark Masefield was practically dueling for the Professor's job as he played a stunning intro into "Incident."
For me, the true highlight was not during the playing of the album, but what followed: a palpable "Tougher than the Rest" truly did it for me. Then of course, the outtake from Wild & Innocent, "Thundercrack," for which the band was joined on stage by Vini Lopez (on backing vocals), who flipped the album cover around to reveal the picture of the band. Both during and after their set, many separate conversations were being had about just how good these guys are — I have to agree. Can't wait to see what's next for this group.
- August 24, 2011 - report and photographs by Michael Zorn
FROM SMALL THINGS BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME Dig, if you will, the picture: Bruce Springsteen leaning on Clarence Clemons, in Eric Meola's already larger-than-life Born to Run cover shot, blown up to cover the side of a building and tower over the sidewalk below. That, says Syracuse Post-Standard columnist Sean Kirst, is "a dream I have for downtown Syracuse. It seems to me that we ought to celebrate some of the great artists with strong ties to our town, and my suggestion is simple: Find a downtown building with a blank wall, then cover it with an image of the Born to Run photograph, along with interpretative information at ground level that tells the story of the photo, as well as explaining Meola's Eastwood roots." All in favor?
A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF CLARENCE ANICHOLAS CLEMONS, JR On Friday, August 19, a public memorial service was held for Clarence Clemons — AKA "Big Clem" and "Tidewater Fats," we come to find out — in Chesapeake, VA. Along with much of his family, some of his high school football teammates, and Chesapeake mayor Alan Krasnoff (who proclaimed Clarence a "Favored Resident" of the city), Jake Clemons and J.T. Bowen were on hand to help out with the musical portion of the ceremony. Read Katherine Byrd's full report from Friday at Blogness on the Edge of Town. - August 22, 2011
"A NIGHT FOR THE VIETNAM VETERAN" 30 YEARS GONE BY NOW E Street Radio's special programming; Springsteen's track on Vietnam-themed box Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's now-legendary August 20, 1981 "Night for the Vietnam Veteran" concert. As detailed in Backstreets #72 on the occasion of the show's 20th anniversary, that night has often been cited as one of the greatest, most powerful and passionate performances not just of The River Tour, but of Springsteen's entire career. It also marked the first time that Bruce didn't just perform a benefit concert for a cause but also spoke directly to his audience from the stage about why he was helping to publicize and raise funds for a then-fledgling political organization, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).
As far back as "Lost in the Flood" on his debut album,the tragic, lasting impact of the Vietnam War has been a major theme in Springsteen's work, and it continues to shape and influence much of his music to this day. While narrowly avoiding getting drafted himself, Bruce lost a friend (drummer Bart Haynes) and a mentor (Jersey bandleader Walter Cichon) to the war, later memorializing them both in "The Wall." The war even inspired the oft-misinterpreted title track of his most famous album, Born in the U.S.A., which stemmed from a pre-Nebraska embryonic demo entitled "Vietnam."
E Street Radio will mark the 30th anniversary with a special program hosted by Dave Marsh. Marsh will discuss the concert with Vietnam veterans Bobby Muller and Doug Bradley. Muller founded VVA and served as its first president. He also delivered the moving introductory remarks that directly preceded the start of the "Night for the Vietnam Veteran" show. Bradley is co-writing a book with Craig Werner, the author of A Change Is Gonna Come: Music, Race & The Soul of America, in which Springsteen is among the many artists discussed. Bradley and Werner's forthcoming book will be titled We Gotta Get Out of This Place: Music in the Experience of Vietnam Veterans, for which they plan to include an interview with Bruce.
Tune in to Sirius/XM 20 at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, to hear the anniversary special; E Street Radio will also be broadcasting the concert itself at noon.
Bradley and Werner also collaborated with music scholar Hugo Keesing in producing a massive 13-disc collection and accompanying 304-page hardcover book from renowned German label Bear Family entitled …Next Stop is Vietnam – The War on Record: 1961-2008. Springsteen is among the many well-known artists represented in the set. "Galveston Bay," from 1995's The Ghost of Tom Joad, appears in the section of the box dealing with the post-war period.
Backstreets spoke recently with Keesing about Springsteen’s contribution. At Keesing's behest, Bear Family requested licensing for both "Born in the U.S.A." and "Galveston Bay," but approval was received only for the latter. Keesing is very pleased that, of the two tracks, "Galveston Bay" was the one that Bear Family was permitted to include. He feels that both tracks tell important stories, of course, but "Galveston Bay" addresses an aspect of the Vietnam War that hasn't been addressed as frequently by American popular musicians: the experiences of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants in the U.S. and the racism they've endured here. "Galveston Bay" also serves as a coincidental sequel of sorts to another track featured in the box: Glen Campbell's 1969 recording of "Galveston," written by Jimmy Webb (whose songs Springsteen has identified as a major influence on his Working on a Dream album) and embraced by many soldiers and their loved ones during the Vietnam War. The character of Billy Sutter in Springsteen’s song could be an updated version of the soldier character in Webb's song.
Priced at over $250, the Next Stop is Vietnam box is likely not a purchase for the casual collector. An effort is underway, however, to make the set available to many schools, libraries, etc. For those who can afford it, Next Stop is Vietnam…. is well worth the investment as an important resource for understanding the Vietnam War, its continuing impact and the music that has helped to both reflect and shape our perspectives on the war.
8/22 update: The E Street Radio "Springsteen Community Conference" on the 30th anniversary of the "Night for the Vietnam Veteran" (featuring Doug Bradley, Dave Marsh and Bobby Muller) will be re-aired on Wednesday, August 24 at 4 pm Eastern. - updated August 22, 2011 - Shawn Poole reporting
WONDERFUL RADIO, MARVELOUS RADIO The winner of our "Autographs Will Happen" contest, which closed last night at midnight: PETER SCHWARTZ of Pacific Palisades, CA (thanks to his randomly drawn number #452 out of 904 valid entries). Peter correctly named "Radio Radio" as a Costello song medleyed with "Radio Nowhere" at the Spectacle taping with Springsteen; we also accepted "Radio Silence." Peter, your Elvis-signed copy of the Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...Season Two DVD will be on its way to you shortly. Thanks to everyone for playing, and thanks to MVD (Music Video Distributors), which released the SpectacleDVDs/Blu-rays, for making our giveaway possible. - August 19, 2011
"SHE'S BRINGIN' IT IN AGAIN..." And goldenageofmusicvideo.com is at it again, with more insight into Springsteen videos of yore — this time a new interview with ultimate independent filmmaker John Sayles, director of "Born in the U.S.A.," "I'm on Fire," and "Glory Days." Sayles is most recently director of Amigo, out today, and author of the captivating, massive novel A Moment in the Sun. GAMV's Stephen Pitalo talked with Sayles about both before going in-depth about The Boss.
The director discusses first hooking up with Jon Landau for Baby It's You song permissions, his "gritty" mandate for "Born in the U.S.A.," the mystery woman in "I'm on Fire," the loss of Clarence Clemons, Springsteen's "Lift Me Up" (which he contributed to the Sayles film Limbo), and much more. Read the full interview here. - August 19, 2011
FRIDAY ON E STREET RADIO This live radio broadcast will be Lisa Lowell's first live presentation since the release of her self-penned Beautiful Behavior album, in a loosely rehearsed, unplugged format that includes guitarist/singer Chris Flynn, bassist/singer Sean Seymour, and Sherryl Marshall, one of Lisa's longest standing singing gal pals (from the Buster Poindexter days). Lisa's Sessions Band mate Larry Eagle will be gracing them with percussion. Join them with Dave Marsh hosting -- summertime banter, music, and fun in Camp Springsteen on "Live From E Street Nation," Friday morning at 10:30 Eastern on E Street Radio (Sirius/XM 20), rebroadcasting Sunday at 8 p.m. - August 18, 2011
HERE SHE COMES... A taste of what's going down at the Stone Pony tonight, as Outside the Box tackles Springsteen's second record start to finish. Here they are previewing "Kitty's Back" on Tom Cunningham's Bruce Brunch show this past Sunday. - August 17, 2011
AUTOGRAPHS WILL HAPPEN: CONTEST ENDS THURSDAY, 8/18
Win a copy of Spectacle Season Two DVD, signed by Elvis Costello! One lucky Backstreets.com visitor is about to win a copy of the Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...Season Two DVD, signed by the Bespectacled One himself. Be sure to throw your hat in the ring before the contest ends tomorrow night!
The double-disc set features a fantastic two-part episode with Bruce Springsteen, and this copy is autographed in silver on the outside cardboard sleeve (the "O-card") by Elvis Costello. All you have to do to be eligible to win is send an email to spectacle@backstreets.com with the following:
in the subject line, name an Elvis Costello song that was combined with Springsteen's "Radio Nowhere" for a medley performance at their Spectacle taping on September 25, 2009
in the body of the email, enter your name and shipping address.
Just be sure to send your email before midnight Eastern tomorrow night, August 18. Only one entry per email address will be counted. From those that qualify (hint: there are two possible correct answers for the subject line), a lucky winner will be drawn at random to receive this special, one-of-a-kind signed package. Good luck!
And of course, while we only have one autographed copy, we also have the DVD and Blu-ray editions of Spectacle Season Two available now in our online shop, currently 10% off with our new release sale price. - August 17, 2011
HONEY, I WANT CONTROL RIGHT NOW Leading off with a mention of Darkness on the Edge of Town, the New York Times reports: "When copyright law was revised in the mid-1970s, musicians, like creators of other works of art, were granted 'termination rights,' which allow them to regain control of their work after 35 years, so long as they apply at least two years in advance. Recordings from 1978 are the first to fall under the purview of the law...." According to the Times, Springsteen and his representatives "declined to comment on their plans."
PLAY THAT SONG WITH THE FUNKY BREAK There's yet to be a songbook for The Promise, but two new official Springsteen songbooks do include tracks from that lost album. Keyboard Songbook 1973-1980 focuses on accurate piano transcriptions, and along with songs from Greetings through The River it adds "Ain't Good Enough For You," "Because the Night," and "The Promise." The last two of these are also in the Bruce Springsteen Sheet Music Anthology along with "Save My Love," plus "The Wrestler," and 25 other songs from the entire span of Bruce's career. Both songbooks are new arrivals at Backstreet Records.
A CLEAN, WELL-LIGHTED PLACE When footage surfaced a couple weeks ago of an aborted first stab at a "Dancing in the Dark" video, our first thought was: "Do we have to?" Do we really gotta help disseminate something that (as opposed to the countless studio outtakes withheld over the years) was wisely unreleased? Given that it was quickly all over the web — and under headings like "Springsteen's Embarrassing Moment" (Billboard) and "Bruce Springsteen Does Not Have Moves" (VH1) — we decided nah, we really don't.
Except now we do, because Stephen Pitalo's The Golden Age of Music Video has gone and made this interesting in more than just a weren't-we-all-silly-in-the'80s way:
So what IS this footage, where was it shot, and why has it never been seen before? Legend told of a first version of the song shot before the DePalma version, but no consensus has ever been reached on what happened.
Now, THE GOLDEN AGE OF MUSIC VIDEO has uncovered the true story of this first attempt to shoot the "Dancing in the Dark" video, straight from the two GAMV luminaries who helmed the original shoot: director of photography Daniel Pearl and video director Jeff Stein.
It's great dot-connecting and a compelling read, right up to cinematographer Pearl reconnecting with Springsteen for the "Human Touch" video: "Daniel, the circle becomes complete."
Visit goldenageofmusicvideo.com for the whole story. You can watch the footage there, too — all 12 minutes of it, if you choose — along with a bevy of other relevant clips.
HEAR AND SEE THE STEADMAN STRAT We reported on Nils and Amy Lofgren auctioning off a one-of-a-kind guitar for charity below; here's Nils himself to give you the full scoop along with a hands-on demonstration. Until the Steadman Strat finds a home, it will be on display at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ. Bidding information is available here. - August 10, 2011
OUTSIDE THE BOX GET WILD Jersey Shore-based band Outside the Box will perform Bruce Springsteen's 1973 release The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle in its entirety, along with material from their debut album Bridge, on Wednesday August 17 at the Stone Pony. The award-winning band is currently in the midst of a summer residency at the storied venue, during which it has been joined onstage by Shore fixtures Jeff Kazee (Asbury Jukes), Southside Johnny, and Joe Grushecky.
"This is the album that introduced us to Springsteen's music," says Outside the Box lead singer Jeff Cafone. "It is concise and powerful, and we couldn’t be more proud to perform it at the Stone Pony."
Bridge, produced by Kazee, was released on July 12 and has received positive reviews from local press. Formed in 2004, Outside the Box appears regularly at Shore venues, as well as at the annual Light of Day benefit.
Tickets are available for $10 at the Stone Pony box office or through Ticketmaster. Bridge is available on iTunes, outsidetheboxband.com, or at Jack’s Music Shoppe in Red Bank, NJ. - August 9, 2011 - Lisa Iannucci reporting - photograph by Jennifer Nagel (covering Elvis Costello's My Aim is True at this summer's Pony residency with guest Southside Johnny)
BACKSTREETS #1 GOES FOR $600+ The very first issue of Backstreets magazine, which was published 31 years ago this fall, has become a highly sought-after collectible in the years since. But even we were surprised to see the results of this recent eBay auction: on Sunday, the winning bid for an original copy of Backstreets #1 came in at a gob-smacking $611.50.
The original edition of our debut is easily distinguishable by its three-color printing (black, red, and gold); a subsequent reprint, which we did some years later (and is still available), was in black ink only. You can see for yourself on the cheap how Backstreets began, as that reprint is just $2 in our online shop... but for an original, if you can find one, be prepared for a 30,000% markup! - August 9, 2011
"ON A RECON MISSION FOR THE RICHES OF A POOR MAN'S LIFE" Mary Louise Parker guests with Jesse Malin and the St. Marks Social for the "Disco Ghetto" clip from Love It to Life, directed by Harry Greenberger and Abigail Honor. Says Jesse: "Mary Louise has been a fan and friend since my first record, The Fine Art of Self Destruction, and has even been quoted as saying that her favorite record of the year was Love It To Life, so we called her up and she was into it!” - August 8, 2011
ABOUT A BOOK In 1975, Bruce Springsteen releaed "Thunder Road."
In 2002, Nick Hornby wrote about about it in Songbook (published as 31 Songs in the UK).
In 2003, Mark Cashion had an idea to create a letterpress chapbook to collect both Springsteen's original lyrics and Hornby's "Thunder Road" essay. (Of course, it wouldn't be the first time Springsteen and Hornsby's art have collided.) For Mark it would become a seven-year odyssey (which you can read about on his blog The Unbearable Banishment), but the finished product is a truly wonderful piece of art that was created with full permission and participation from both Springsteen and Hornby.
Typically, letterpress books are carefully designed are made by hand in very limited-runs, and Thunder Road Chapbook is no exception. Mark and his publishing partners (Synaesthesia press of Los Angeles, Lead Graffiti in Newak, Delaware, and Bottle of Smoke Press of Dover, Delaware) created a quad-fold book structure with two hand-stitched spines and a custom linotype print for the cover and cover page. A nice added touch is the hand painted "highway line" that runs along the deckled edge of the books cover. This is in fact a "legitimate" art publication — and considering the amount of fans that both of it's authors have worldwide, it was produced in a shockingly small edition: only 233 copies, to be exact.
There are 200 numbered copies in wraps, and 26 lettered hardbound copies. All copies are signed by Nick Hornby on his essay. The hardbound copies (which quickly sold out) are signed by both Hornby and Springsteen. Six additional hardcover books were produced in a special edition (complete with a fancy clamshell box) and distributed to each of the people who participated in the production of the book — including both authors.
After reading Mark's story, and holding the books (yes, I bought two) in my hands, this book feels well worth having. Bruce tends to shy away from "creating collectibles," and many Springsteen collections are likely filled with things that Bruce doesn't even know about. This is a rare piece that comes with his blessing. While the hardbound edition is long gone, the softcover books are still available in limited quantities. They are a steal at $60 considering all of the time, craftsmanship, and hard work that has gone into their creation; to boot, all money raised from the sale of the book goes to the Hornby-founded TreeHouse Trust and the associated Ambitious about Autism.
Copies of Thunder Road Chapbook can be purchased for $60.00 plus shipping ($4 U.S./$6 international) via Paypal to ThunderRoadChapbook@gmail.com.
Update: Mark Cashion writes: "10,000 thank-yous for the story. I just took my last order and the run is completely sold out... Did you guys realize how powerful your site is?!" And we say: 10,000 thank-yous to our readers for supporting the arts. - Updated August 9, 2011 - Jonathan Stein reporting
ORIGINAL "SIN" Magnet highlights Bruce Springsteen's "Wages of Sin" for the latest installment of "Take Cover," which pits a song against its remake each week. Good to see our favorite sleeper from Tracks — or is that our favorite cut from Badlands: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska? — get some notice.
Listen to "Wages of Sin," both Springsteen's original and Damien Jurado's duet with Rosie Thomas, and cast your vote at magnetmagazine.com. - August 4, 2011
"GUITAR MAN" NILS LOFGREN HAS A ONE-OF-A-KIND FOR CHARITY Ralph Steadman doesn't sell his original art. But when it's your buddy, sometimes you look the other way. Steadman, legendary illustrator of the works of Hunter S. Thompson, is also a good friend of Amy and Nils Lofgren (and in fact has done two album covers for Nils, Crooked Line and Breakaway Angel). At Amy's request for a charity auction, Steadman created a work of art out of a Fender Stratocaster called "Gonzo in G"; the Lofgrens are auctioning off the unique guitar to support their local food banks in Arizona: Scottsdale's Vista del Camino/Concerned Citizens for Community Health and Central Arizona Shelter Services.
Nils says, "We're hoping for a huge bid from a philanthropic Hunter Thompson / Ralph Steadman art lover / collector... please help us get the word out and feed a lot of deserving, good people." MyTekLife.com has an article on the effort and the friendship between Ralph and Nils. For more information, more views of "Gonzo in G," and to contact or bid, head to nilslofgren.com/CharityAuction. - August 3, 2011
GRAZIANO ROMANI DEDICATES ANNUAL FAN GATHERING TO CLARENCE Saturday, August 6, in Italy: "Bruce, Chairs & Free Spirits" On Saturday, Italian singer/songwriter Graziano Romani will host his annual Gathering (Raduno, in Italian), a concert that this year he's dedicating to the late, great Clarence Clemons. We're big fans of Graziano here at Backstreets — you may know him from his rendition of "The Promise" on the Light of Day tribute album, or for his own (highly recommended) tribute disc, Soul Crusader: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen. His love of Springsteen is evidenced by the power of his covers, as well as the way he truly makes those songs his own. The former leader and founder of the band Rocking Chairs, Graziano is a prolific and eclectic artist in his own right, singing in both English and Italian, his sound a mixture of rock, soul and folk.
For this year's Raduno, Graziano (along with a super-group of sorts, including the original Rocking Chairs saxophonist and keyboardist) will play a selection of Springsteen classics including “Jungleland,” "Drive All Night," "Hungry Heart," “Streets of Fire,” “Two Hearts,” and “Cadillac Ranch,” along with some of his own songs and some Rocking Chairs numbers, too. He'll surely play a version of “Because the Night” as well, which he recently recorded in the studio for a forthcoming benefit album.
The concert is free, this Saturday, August 6 at Arena Riserva Rossa, Festival Parco Secchia, Casalgrande (RE) ITALY. For more information — about this weekend's concert, Graziano, and his latest album Zagor King of Darkwood — visit grazianoromani.it. - August 2, 2011
THE RETURN OF THE TENNESSEE TERROR Garry Tallent came back to his old Nashville stomping grounds over the weekend, participating in Saturday night's celebration of the 50th album performed by The Long Players. Garry was an original founding member of the band that has become famous for covering classic albums in their entirety — Exile on Main Street was number 50, performed on Friday night. Saturday's show was a potpourri of classic rock songs, and Garry played bass on a few numbers throughout the night including Dave Perkins' version of "Adam Raised a Cain." However, the big surprise was Garry's lead vocal on an encore of The Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends." Head Long Player Bill Lloyd summed it up afterwards: "Garry Tallent on lead vocals — for the first and perhaps last time!"
The current nucleus of The Long Players consists of Lloyd, guitarist Steve Allen, bassist Brad Jones (who replaced Garry when he moved to Montana), and drummer Steve Ebe. They are joined by a floating cast of lead singers taken from Music City's vast array of talent as well as special guests.
Read an interview with Tallent about The Long Players and more at nashvillescene.com.
- August 1, 2011 - Mike Bodayle reporting - photo by Kyle Jastremski
"SPRINGSTEEN"… SINGING FOR THE LONELY
Country music's Chief namechecks The Boss When Born to Run was released in the late summer of '75, its opening track featured Bruce Springsteen singing about two lovers' front-porch encounter as a Roy Orbison record played on the radio. Now, more than 35 summers later, Bruce himself becomes the titular singer on the radio for a much younger pair of lovers in Eric Church's "Springsteen." The song recalls a time when singing along together to Springsteen songs once served as their "soundtrack to a July Saturday night," naming "Born in the U.S.A.," "Born to Run," "Glory Days," and "I'm on Fire" along the way. The song, co-written by Church with Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell, is a featured track on his newly released album Chief. - August 1, 2011 - Shawn Poole reporting
2012 CALENDARS
ARE HERE! In stock now and ready to ship, the Promise-inspired official Springsteen calendar for the new year
Backstreet Records is the mailorder division of Backstreets, delivering Bruce Springsteen merchandise to fans for over 20 years. We carry numerous collectibles, tour shirts, books, fanzines, and imported CDs and records. The world's best selection of Springsteen collectibles, all available by mail.
We also post all known concert dates for some of our favorite Jersey Shore (and Shore-adopted) musicians:
Willie Nile Bobby Bandiera Southside Johnny John Eddie JoBonanno Joe D'Urso... and more.
For more information on upcoming shows such as these, check out our Concert Calendar.
SAVE TILLIE
Many from the Springsteen community banded together to preserve this Asbury Park landmark.... and Tillie has now been saved!
Check our Save Tillie page for the latest developments.
THE SPRINGSTEEN SPECIAL COLLECTION
Organized by Backstreets in 2001, this storehouse of Boss books and magazines is the largest such collection outside of Bruce's mother's basement. Thanks to the generosity of fans around the world, total holdings are now well over 11,000. But the collection is by no means complete.
Willie Nile and Jesse Malin & St. Marks Social, along with numerous other acts, are playing a benefit this Friday night in Buffalo in an effort to brighten the Thanksgivings of needy local families. The November 18 
THIS DAY IN BOSS HISTORY: 
I'm sure many Backstreets readers can remember the excitement and anticipation surrounding the release of the set, which went straight to number one on the charts — the first album in more than 10 years to do so. I still recall the long lines at the record stores (remember them?) back in November 1986.
Holden's review was an insightful and deeply moving piece, beautifully articulating the various themes that run through the box set. Bruce planned the set as a thematic journey of sorts, which is why some songs made it, and others didn't. One can certainly see how the importance of friendship comes full circle from the opening "Thunder Road" through "No Surrender," both presented acoustically. Holden stressed the connection of the core songs on the set — "The River," "Seeds," "War," "Born in the U.S.A" — to the Vietnam War, such an essential event for so many of Springsteen's generation. Perhaps the most remarkable achievement of the set as a whole was that it felt both spine-chillingly intimate and almost ridiculously bombastic at the same time. 
From there into completely new territory, as the band broke into a familiar vamp that sounded like... yes, it really was, "Sprit in the Night." Here the big-band arrangement stayed truer to what we know, but what came completely by surprise was Springsteen coming down the aisle into the audience and singing the song standing on top of a seat like it was the Capitol Theater 1978 not the Beacon Theater 2011.
With the November 18 Clarence Clemons Christmas Songs 
Darkness photographer and all-around swell fella Frank Stefanko will be making a Jersey Shore appearance in a couple weeks, not only to sign the latest edition of his 
"People have come from the four corners of the world to be in Pittsburgh," Bruce laughed at this second of two shows, "that's even crazier than coming from the four corners of the world to be in Asbury Park! People come from perfectly wonderful places... and they leave them!" 
Additions in the main set were a very strong "Darkness on the Edge of Town," "Radio Nowhere," "A Good Life," and "Adam Raised a Cain," the last of these with particularly smoking guitar from Springsteen. That right into another incredible Boss solo to start off the set-closing "Light of Day."
After a year of no Springsteen concerts, coming to Pittsburgh to see him play with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers was a bit akin to getting a fix. Everything seemed exciting coming in. The Pennsylvania hills were as beautiful as any landscape painting I've ever seen, and of course the Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Pittsburgh is a gem.
The good news in the show was Bruce's form. His voice was clear and strong, and he shared it happily. I had to remind myself a couple of times that he has passed his 62nd birthday. His guitar work was even better. He took extended solos over and over again. And over again. And then some more. Not just on his own songs, but also on Grushecky numbers such as "Never Be Enough Time" and "Pumping Iron." As for Bruce's songs, when he really decided to rock it, the roof blew off. "Light of Day" was perhaps the biggest highlight, in which Bruce singlehandedly filled the room with his sound. 
Nils Lofgren just wrapped up a string of East Coast dates; Harry Stadler caught last week's show in New Hope, PA:
"Over the weekend here in Chicago" writes in Mike Campuzano, "Chicago's own Michael McDermott held his third annual Halloweensteen. People come from all over throughout the year just to see a McDermott show; he's considered one of the best lyrically.. .a real poet. Once a year (and one night only), close to Halloween, McDermott will play Springsteen songs. The shows are always a sell out and tickets go fast." Here's McDermott taking on "One Step Up" on Saturday night; you can also see 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GARRY!
Fresh from Springsteen's 
Springsteen's Third Annual Boston College Bar Band Bash took place Saturday night at the Stone Pony, another of Bruce's patented private affairs to raise money for his kids' schools. Bobby Bandiera's band, as usual, backed Bruce all night, along with extra E Street muscle from Max Weinberg on drums and Roy Bittan on piano. As Stan Goldstein reports for 
While Springsteen has got his template figured out at this point and most know what to expect, you never know what he might shake up. This time, the curveball was Red Bank Rocker J.T. Bowen taking the soul singer guest spot usually reserved for Southside Johnny, bringing Rescue songs to the set ("Savin' Up," "A Woman's Got the Power") and bringing the house down with "Soul Man."
On Friday, November 18, The 
The release party will be headlined by 
Following a standout show at the Wonder Bar this past April that featured Asbury Park legends Nicky Addeo and Southside Johnny and a surprise appearance by Bruce Springsteen, the Asbury Park Historical Society is sponsoring another concert celebrating the music of Asbury Park's West Side. 
Springsteen himself is a New Jersey Hall of Famer already, embracing the honor with good humor and a 
Springsteen was the final guest of the night to take the stage, three hours into the four-hour show — at which point the birthday boy left it to him. Bruce was the only guest artist who got stage to himself. He did three songs, all Sting-penned: "I Hung My Head" on the Telecaster; a you-could-hear-a-pin-drop version of "Fields of Gold," solo acoustic; then his duet with Sting on the Outlandos d'Amour classic "Can’t Stand Losing You." Jaw-dropping. 
ROCK 'N' ROLL SATURDAY NIGHT
With so many great nights to draw from, a compilation like this was bound to be a goldmine of performances, while not exactly a goldmine for Bruce or any other individual artist. So there's nothing here from Springsteen's return appearance in '95, which previewed the Joad tour. But the set — both the 2CD and 3DVD packages — kicks off with his stunning, unprecedented acoustic "Born in the U.S.A." from '86. It joins "Fire," on Springsteen's 
The book is a remarkable package of history from the band's perspective, filled with photographs and information from every one of the band's 20 years together. Bruce's final comment about the band's longevity echoes some of the things he's said about the E Street Band over the years:
The Rising won't turn ten until next year — July 30, to be precise — but the milestone is being marked early, thanks to the ten-year anniversary of 9/11 this coming Sunday. In the 
Bradley and Werner also collaborated with music scholar 
One lucky Backstreets.com visitor is about to win a copy of the Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...Season Two DVD, signed by the Bespectacled One himself. Be sure to throw your hat in the ring before the contest ends tomorrow night!
The very first issue of Backstreets magazine, which was published 31 years ago this fall, has become a highly sought-after collectible in the years since. But even we were surprised to see the results of 
ABOUT A BOOK
Garry Tallent came back to his old Nashville stomping grounds over the weekend, participating in Saturday night's celebration of the 50th album performed by 
Main News
