Over the past five decades, Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band have set the bar for live rock’n’roll shows. Their epic performances regularly steam past the three-hour mark, with their longest ever set, a 2012 gig in Helsinki, Finland, clocking in at a staggering four hours and six minutes. Earlier this month, Sir Paul McCartney was asked why his own solo shows have grown ever longer in recent years. “I blame Bruce Springsteen,” the former Beatle told the Fly on the Wall podcast. “I know him and I said to him, ‘It’s your fault, man’… the rest of us look measly if we do an hour.”
Springsteen’s stellar live reputation doesn’t just come from quantity, of course, but sheer crowd-pleasing quality. In a 2011 poll, Rolling Stone readers voted Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band the greatest live act of all time. To witness Springsteen...
Springsteen’s stellar live reputation doesn’t just come from quantity, of course, but sheer crowd-pleasing quality. In a 2011 poll, Rolling Stone readers voted Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band the greatest live act of all time. To witness Springsteen...
- 10/19/2022
- by Kevin E G Perry
- The Independent - Music
Bruce Springsteen looks old. He doesn’t seem like he’s old — at 71, he appears to be in better physical shape than most of us were at 21. Judging from the vigor he shows in Letter to You, Thom Zimny’s documentary (it begins streaming on Apple TV on Oct. 23rd), you sense that he could walk onstage right now and easily knock out a four-hour live show, if live shows were still a thing. His songwriting hasn’t diminished, as this look at the recording of the album of the...
- 10/21/2020
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Bruce Springsteen might never get old, but he sure as hell isn’t getting any younger. Seventy-one this past September and fresh off a sublime Broadway run that saw him burnish his own myth by stepping out of its shadow, the Boss still looks like he’s 45, reflects on the past like he’s 90, and plays the guitar like he’s immortal. And yet time is catching up with him all the same, if only through his friends. E Street Band co-founder Danny Federici died in 2008, followed by saxophonist Clarence Clemons in 2011; when former Castiles legend George Theiss succumbed to lung cancer in 2018, Springsteen became the last surviving member of his first band.
In the twilight of a career that’s always been punctuated by songs that sound like ghost stories of one kind or another — “The River,” “The Rising,” and “American Skin (41 Shots)” are just a handful of a hundred examples,...
In the twilight of a career that’s always been punctuated by songs that sound like ghost stories of one kind or another — “The River,” “The Rising,” and “American Skin (41 Shots)” are just a handful of a hundred examples,...
- 10/16/2020
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Fan recordings of Bruce Springsteen’s emotional Asbury Park show have been circling in the years since the Boss hit the stage on November 24th, 1996 for the start of a three-night stand. Now, Springsteen has just officially released the show as the latest offering from his ongoing live download series.
At this show — part of his acoustic Ghost of Tom Joad tour — Springsteen was joined by a host of guests, including Patti Scialfa, E Street Band keyboardist Danny Federici and future E Street Band violinist Soozie Tyrell. The setlist was...
At this show — part of his acoustic Ghost of Tom Joad tour — Springsteen was joined by a host of guests, including Patti Scialfa, E Street Band keyboardist Danny Federici and future E Street Band violinist Soozie Tyrell. The setlist was...
- 11/4/2019
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Earlier this month, Bruce Springsteen released his October 13th, 1986, acoustic set at the Bridge School Benefit as an official live download. The hotly anticipated set was his first major performance since the end of the Born in the U.S.A. tour a year earlier. With Springsteen backed only by guitarist Nils Lofgren and organist Danny Federici, it features stripped-down renditions of “Fire,” “Glory Days,” “Mansion on the Hill,” and others. The set has circulated in bootleg circles for years, but the sound quality has never been this good even...
- 8/13/2019
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Bruce Springsteen surprise-released a new live album chronicling his October 13th, 1986 acoustic set at Neil Young’s inaugural Bridge School Benefit Concert at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California.
The concert marked Springsteen’s first major appearance since the end of his massive Born In the U.S.A. tour, during which he played 156 shows across four continents between June 1984 and October 1985. The stripped-down show also marked Springsteen’s first acoustic set since 1972.
The new 10-song collection opens with two Springsteen solo offerings — an a cappella version of “You...
The concert marked Springsteen’s first major appearance since the end of his massive Born In the U.S.A. tour, during which he played 156 shows across four continents between June 1984 and October 1985. The stripped-down show also marked Springsteen’s first acoustic set since 1972.
The new 10-song collection opens with two Springsteen solo offerings — an a cappella version of “You...
- 8/9/2019
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
My new book, Bruce Springsteen: The Stories Behind the Songs, tells the tales behind every officially released studio recording of Bruce Springsteen’s career so far. In addition to my years of Springsteen reporting, including five interviews with the man himself, the book draws on over 60 hours of brand-new interviews with musicians, producers, and other collaborators from throughout his career (including Max Weinberg, Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Soozie Tyrell, Tom Morello, David Sancious and many, many more). I’m proud to debut this exclusive excerpt here at Rolling Stone, where...
- 3/31/2019
- by Brian Hiatt
- Rollingstone.com
Just five days after keyboardist Danny Federici died from melanoma in April of 2008, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band played one of the most emotional shows of their long career at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. The entire band attended Federici’s funeral at Red Bank, New Jersey just day earlier and emotions were still raw when they took the stage in Florida where they were resuming the tour after postponing three shows. The concert has been a longtime favorite in Springsteen bootleg circles, but it was...
- 2/1/2019
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
New York (AP) — Kiss made up, but its music went unheard. Nirvana used four women rockers to sing Kurt Cobain's songs. And Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band — predictably — turned its honor into a marathon. The three acts were ushered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Thursday in a colorful induction ceremony at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. They were joined by the blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates, British rocker Peter Gabriel, 1970s folkie Cat Stevens and the absent Linda Ronstadt. Nirvana was the emotional centerpiece. The trio rooted in the Seattle-area punk rock scene was voted into the hall in its first year of eligibility. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" hit like a thunderclap upon its 1991 release, but the band was done after Kurt Cobain committed suicide 20 years ago this month. "Nirvana fans walk up to me every day and say thank you for the music," said Krist Novoselic,...
- 4/11/2014
- by AP Staff
- Hitfix
source // Uncut
There are few names in the music business who can successfully maintain a level of greatness throughout their career (as unpopularly argued in another article of mine), particularly when the artist in question is a member of the elite of their genre. But for his troubles, and despite a couple of dodgy efforts, Bruce Springsteen is a fully deserving member of such a club.
This month will see the release of the Boss’ eighteenth studio album, High Hopes, and comes as Springsteen and the E Street band are riding on the crest of a wave, following their incredibly successful Wrecking Ball tour. Springsteen has always been a phenomenal live performer, and, despite the deaths of band members Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons, continues to produce a good standard of music, recruiting yet more top musicians to fill the void, whilst leaving emotional and tasteful tributes to his fallen colleagues.
There are few names in the music business who can successfully maintain a level of greatness throughout their career (as unpopularly argued in another article of mine), particularly when the artist in question is a member of the elite of their genre. But for his troubles, and despite a couple of dodgy efforts, Bruce Springsteen is a fully deserving member of such a club.
This month will see the release of the Boss’ eighteenth studio album, High Hopes, and comes as Springsteen and the E Street band are riding on the crest of a wave, following their incredibly successful Wrecking Ball tour. Springsteen has always been a phenomenal live performer, and, despite the deaths of band members Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons, continues to produce a good standard of music, recruiting yet more top musicians to fill the void, whilst leaving emotional and tasteful tributes to his fallen colleagues.
- 1/7/2014
- by Stephen Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
Everyone knows that Bruce Springsteen's "Wrecking Ball" tour is on one level a months-long traveling memorial service for saxophone player and Springsteen muse Clarence Clemons, who died last June, and organist Danny Federici, who succumbed to melanoma in 2008. Springsteen has said that he hopes the tour lets the E Street Nation mourn together. It wasn't until I saw the show a second time - and from the legendary "pit," where the blessed few gather and commune, literally at Springsteen's feet right below the stage -- that I understood what a thoroughgoing, transcendent exercise in communal grief and joy it has become.
- 4/27/2012
- by Salon.com
- Huffington Post
New York -- The power and the glory were unleashed in the heart of Harlem on Friday night as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band took to the stage of the storied Apollo Theater.
Springsteen, self-introduced in a deadpan delivery as "the hardest-working white man in show business," was intent on proving it with music and physical antics that whipped the packed house into a frenzy.
In a nod to Apollo legend James Brown, the "hardest-working man in show business," Springsteen milked his own Godfather of Soul shtick, staggering dramatically around the stage wearing a black towel "cape" that was ceremoniously draped onto his shoulders by guitarist Steven Van Zandt.
The show aired live on SiriusXM Radio's E Street Channel as part of the satellite company's 10th anniversary celebration. It was a prelude to a world tour that launches March 18 in Atlanta in support of the "Wrecking Ball" album,...
Springsteen, self-introduced in a deadpan delivery as "the hardest-working white man in show business," was intent on proving it with music and physical antics that whipped the packed house into a frenzy.
In a nod to Apollo legend James Brown, the "hardest-working man in show business," Springsteen milked his own Godfather of Soul shtick, staggering dramatically around the stage wearing a black towel "cape" that was ceremoniously draped onto his shoulders by guitarist Steven Van Zandt.
The show aired live on SiriusXM Radio's E Street Channel as part of the satellite company's 10th anniversary celebration. It was a prelude to a world tour that launches March 18 in Atlanta in support of the "Wrecking Ball" album,...
- 3/10/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
New York — Bruce Springsteen guitarist Steve Van Zandt says touring without saxophonist Clarence Clemons is sure to be emotional for the E Street Band and its audience.
Clemons died at age 69 last year after a stroke. Van Zandt said Thursday that the band's work will always be a tribute to Clemons and keyboard player Danny Federici, who died in 2008. Springsteen and the E Street Band begin a long tour next month.
Despite the emotion, Van Zandt says band members have to ask themselves whether their colleagues would have wanted them to carry on with the work. The guitarist said: "I think the answer's yes."
Besides the music, Van Zandt is promoting "Lilyhammer," Netflix's first original series. It is set in Norway and begins streaming Feb. 6 on Netflix.
Clemons died at age 69 last year after a stroke. Van Zandt said Thursday that the band's work will always be a tribute to Clemons and keyboard player Danny Federici, who died in 2008. Springsteen and the E Street Band begin a long tour next month.
Despite the emotion, Van Zandt says band members have to ask themselves whether their colleagues would have wanted them to carry on with the work. The guitarist said: "I think the answer's yes."
Besides the music, Van Zandt is promoting "Lilyhammer," Netflix's first original series. It is set in Norway and begins streaming Feb. 6 on Netflix.
- 2/3/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
The Boss is back! Bruce Springsteen is about to release a new album, his first with new material since 2007's "Magic." It's the Boss' 17th studio release and the first since the deaths of E Street Band members Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici.
"Wrecking Ball" will drop on March 6th and an American and European tour will follow. Bruce live? Anyone else freaking out? "Bruce has dug down as deep as he can to come up with this vision of modern life," Springsteen's manager Jon Landau said in a statement. "The lyrics tell a story you can't hear anywhere else and the music is his most innovative of recent years. The writing is some of the best of his career and both veteran fans and those who are new to Bruce will find much to love on 'Wrecking Ball.'"
Can't wait until March to hear the Boss? A single...
"Wrecking Ball" will drop on March 6th and an American and European tour will follow. Bruce live? Anyone else freaking out? "Bruce has dug down as deep as he can to come up with this vision of modern life," Springsteen's manager Jon Landau said in a statement. "The lyrics tell a story you can't hear anywhere else and the music is his most innovative of recent years. The writing is some of the best of his career and both veteran fans and those who are new to Bruce will find much to love on 'Wrecking Ball.'"
Can't wait until March to hear the Boss? A single...
- 1/19/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Despite the loss of his iconic wingman, Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen is soldiering on. The Boss confirmed that he and a revamped E Street Band will hit that thunder road again with a 2012 world tour. "Well, things are starting to heat up down on E Street," he said his official site, Brucespringsteen.net. The trek will be E Street's first in three years and first without its Big Man, who died last June at age 69 after suffering a stroke. There was no immediate word on how's Clemons' considerable stage presence will be replaced. Aside from Clemons, the E Street Band is also without original organist and keyboard player Danny Federici, who died in 2008 of melanoma at...
- 11/21/2011
- E! Online
New York -- 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 saxophonist died in June following complications from a stroke.
Van Zandt said the band, which has periodically toured and recorded with Springsteen since 1972, will never be the same without Clemons. But then he added it wasn't the same after keyboard player Danny Federici died in 2008.
Clemons provided the band with its trademark horn sound apparent on such hits as "Blinded By the Light," "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," and "Jungleland."
"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."
Van Zandt made the comments while attending "Ocean's Kingdom," in New York, a new ballet with music by Paul McCartney.
Van Zandt said the band, which has periodically toured and recorded with Springsteen since 1972, will never be the same without Clemons. But then he added it wasn't the same after keyboard player Danny Federici died in 2008.
Clemons provided the band with its trademark horn sound apparent on such hits as "Blinded By the Light," "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," and "Jungleland."
"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."
Van Zandt made the comments while attending "Ocean's Kingdom," in New York, a new ballet with music by Paul McCartney.
- 9/23/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Getty
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to discuss group’s future; Jonah Hill calls out Matthew Morrison…
E Street Band to Discuss Future: The fate of the E Street Band could be decided soon. Bruce Springsteen and the band are setting up meetings over the next few weeks to discuss the future of the group in the wake of the death of Clarence Clemons, guitarist and backup vocalist Steven Van Zandt told the Associated Press. Clemons, the long time saxophonist for the band,...
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to discuss group’s future; Jonah Hill calls out Matthew Morrison…
E Street Band to Discuss Future: The fate of the E Street Band could be decided soon. Bruce Springsteen and the band are setting up meetings over the next few weeks to discuss the future of the group in the wake of the death of Clarence Clemons, guitarist and backup vocalist Steven Van Zandt told the Associated Press. Clemons, the long time saxophonist for the band,...
- 9/23/2011
- by Lyneka Little
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Bruce Springsteen fans are already awaiting the deluxe reissue his 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town this fall, but even better news may be the documentary about the making of the album that will premiere on HBO in October. Called The Promise, it will screen at the Toronto Film Festival in September. Rolling Stone reported some details about the doc after speaking to Thom Powers, the Toronto fest’s documentary programmer. Powers told the magazine, “The strength of this movie is that it just concentrates on the making of just one album. There’s not even much concert footage.
- 8/13/2010
- by Kerrie Mitchell
- EW.com - PopWatch
Bruce Springsteen's cousin and assistant road manager was found dead in the Kansas City's Intercontinental Hotel Monday, not long before Springsteen and his band were to take to the stage. "Lenny Sullivan, Bruce's cousin and the assistant road manager of the E Street Band for the last 10 years, passed away today at the age of 36," a statement on Springsteen's Web site read. "A warm and sensitive person, he was beloved by Bruce, the Band, the crew, and the entire Thrill Hill family." The death caused the cancellation of the show that night in Kansas City, Mo., with all tickets...
- 10/27/2009
- by Michael Y. Park
- PEOPLE.com
Ben Elton will team up with Andrew Lloyd Webber on the Phantom of the Opera sequel.
According to The Stage, Elton will write the book, Glen Slater will pen the lyrics, and Webber will produce the music.
Hairspray director Jack O'Brien is expected to helm to production.
Elton and Webber previously worked together on the The Beautiful Game in 2000. The comedian . . .
According to The Stage, Elton will write the book, Glen Slater will pen the lyrics, and Webber will produce the music.
Hairspray director Jack O'Brien is expected to helm to production.
Elton and Webber previously worked together on the The Beautiful Game in 2000. The comedian . . .
- 4/9/2008
- by Alex_Fletcher_imdb_@digitalspy.co.uk (Alex Fletcher)
- Digital Spy
Danny Federici joined Bruce Springsteen and his colleagues in The E Street Band onstage on Thursday night for the first time since he quit live shows to undergo cancer treatment.
The keyboard player made a surprise appearance halfway through Springsteen and The E Street Band's gig at the Canseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Federici, who was forced to take a leave of absence from The E Street Band last November to recover from melanoma, played eight songs in total.
Last week (ends14Mar08), The E Street Band star Steve Van Zandt told Rolling Stone magazine Federici's ongoing recovery is "a bit miraculous".
The keyboard player made a surprise appearance halfway through Springsteen and The E Street Band's gig at the Canseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Federici, who was forced to take a leave of absence from The E Street Band last November to recover from melanoma, played eight songs in total.
Last week (ends14Mar08), The E Street Band star Steve Van Zandt told Rolling Stone magazine Federici's ongoing recovery is "a bit miraculous".
- 3/21/2008
- WENN
Sunrise, Fla.: "Don't make me come out there and slaaaap that tan off ya." Bruce Springsteen's warnings to potentially restless crowds tend to have a local flavor. In September 1995, he began his tour in support of The Ghost of Tom Joad by telling a Los Angeles crowd to turn off their cellular phones. Here at the 3,968-seat Sunrise Musical Theater, in early December, some 100 shows later, he's still asking for quiet. What's changed is that a show he admits was initially "austere" is now a kaleidoscope of jokes,...
- 2/6/1997
- by Fred Schruers
- Rollingstone.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.