New for 2024: Audio for 1974; new entry for 2023
1973: Bruce and the not-yet E Street Band continue their Boston residency with two shows at Paul’s Mall.
1974: Bruce and the band play The Joint in the Woods in Parsippany, New Jersey–notable for ultra-rare covers of “Ring of Fire” and “634-5789.” (The latter will become a staple of the Wrecking Ball tour, however.)
1975: Bruce makes a guest appearance at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. The headliner is The Blackberry Booze Band, forerunner to Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
1982: Bruce joins Nils Lofgren (who is not yet a member of the E Street Band) on stage at the Royal Manor North in North Brunswick, New Jersey, for covers of “Lucille” and “Carol.” This is the earliest known performance of Bruce and Nils together.
1984: At The Hit Factory in New York City, Bruce and the E Street Band record “Man at the Top” and “Rockaway the Days.” Both songs will remain in the vault until 1998.
1993: Creedence Clearwater Revival is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Bruce is part of John Fogerty’s backing band for the occasion. The band also includes Robbie Robertson, Roy Bittan, Benmont Tench, Jim Keltner, and Don Was. Watch their set below.
1995: Bruce records “Back in Your Arms” at The Hit Factory in New York City.
1996: Bruce plays Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown, Ohio, inspiration (of course) for his song, “Youngstown.”
2009: Bruce’s upcoming album, Working on a Dream, leaks to the internet more than two weeks ahead of its release.
2017: The prototype for what would become Springsteen on Broadway, Bruce plays a secret acoustic gig at the White House as a thank you to the Obama administration. (Photo credit: Pete Souza)
2018: Springsteen on Broadway continues its theatrical run at the Walter Kerr Theater in New York City. In attendance tonight: George Lopez and Rita Wilson.
2023: Bruce and the E Street Band rehearse for their upcoming world tour at The Vogel in Red Bank, New Jersey. First hand reports from fans listening at the stage door (including this blogger) confirm the addition of “Nightshift” and the return of “No Surrender” as the show opener (a position it will hold throughout most of the tour) as the setlist begins to take shape.
