If you were with me about six months ago, you may remember our spotlight on Bruce’s studio guest appearance with Mike Ness on “Misery Loves Company.”
I led that article stating that Bruce had been a fan of Social Distortion (Ness’ band) since the early nineties. It’s a pretty safe bet that one of the songs that originally grabbed his attention was “Bad Luck.”
“Bad Luck” was the lead single for Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, Social Distortion’s fourth studio album in 1992. It quickly became–and remains–the band’s biggest hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks (now known as Alternative Airplay) chart.
Years later, Ness made two appearances with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, once on the Working on a Dream Tour and again on the Wrecking Ball Tour. On both occasions, the song they played together was Social Distortion’s biggest hit.
Six years after Ness’ last E Street stage appearance, Bruce returned the favor when Social Distortion played Asbury Park’s Sea.Hear.Now. Festival in the autumn of 2018. Bruce took a rare rocking break from his Broadway schedule to join the band for three songs that night: the aforementioned “Misery Loves Company,” a terrific cover of “Ring of Fire,” and (of course) “Bad Luck.”
Bad Luck
First performed: April 16, 2009 (Los Angeles, CA)
Last performed: September 30, 2018 (Asbury Park, NJ)
