New for 2024: Review for 1988; video for 2009; new entry for 2023
1969: Child plays at The Auction Coffee House in Long Branch, New Jersey.
1970: When the MC5 can’t make their opening gig for Grand Funk Railroad’s show at the Ocean Ice Palace in Bricktown, New Jersey, Steel Mill comes to the rescue, playing two opening sets. The setlist tonight includes “Black Sun Rising,” “KT-88,” “Garden State Parkway Blues,” and more.
1973: Bruce and the unnamed E Street Band open for Chicago in Binghamton, New York. The boys are the very first band to play in the new Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, and the show features the debut of “Seaside Bar Song” in its only performance until Bruce’s 2001 holiday shows, the only known performance of “Phantoms,” and an unusual “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “Secret to the Blues.”
1974: Bruce’s opening gig in Oklahoma City is cancelled when two members of the headlining band abruptly resign.
1976: Bruce calls up “Father” Bill Ayres on New York’s WPLJ-FM and speaks with him on-air.
1978: Bruce and the E Street Band bring the Darkness Tour to the University of Iowa in Iowa City. The concert gets rave reviews, but Bruce apparently disapproves of note-taking during the show. (Thanks to Chris Nierling for the poster photo!)
1979: At The Power Station in New York City, Bruce records “Little White Lies,” “Bring on the Night,” and “Night Fire.” “Bring on the Night” will go unreleased for almost two decades, the other two for eighteen years beyond that.
1982: Bruce joins Cats on a Smooth Surface at The Stone Pony for five songs.
1985: Night Two in Rotterdam on the Born in the U.S.A. Tour.
1988: Late at night, at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome, Bruce borrows a guitar from a street musician and performs three songs. Meanwhile, publicity ramps up for Bruce’s upcoming live broadcast on July 3 with these commercials from this date.
1999: The Reunion Tour begins a German mini-leg with a show in Leipzig, where fans enjoy the tour premiere of “Downbound Train” and the only performance to date of “Car Wash.”
2005: Bruce’s solo acoustic mini-tour of Germany begins with a show at Olympiahalle in Munich. Bruce opens with the tour premiere of “Into the Fire” and tour premieres “Point Blank” and “Bobby Jean” as well.
2006: Bruce and the Sessions Band play to a sparse crowd at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, Illinois, where Bruce debuts a new arrangement and verse for “Further On (Up the Road).”
2009: Bruce headlines Bonnaroo, Max returns to the band (for half the show), and Evan Springsteen plays guitar on “American Land.” Watch the marvelously filmed “Outlaw Pete” below.
2011: While doctors try to save Clarence’s life following his severe stroke, Bruce issues the following statement on his website:
By now, many of you have heard that our beloved comrade and sax player Clarence Clemons has suffered a serious stroke. While all initial signs are encouraging, Clarence will need much care and support to achieve his potential once again. He has his wonderfully supportive wife, Victoria, excellent doctors and health care professionals, and is surrounded by friends and family. I thank you all for your prayers and positive energy and concern. This is a time for us all to share in a hopeful spirit that can ultimately inspire Clarence to greater heights.
2018: Springsteen on Broadway continues its theatrical run at the Walter Kerr Theater in New York City. In attendance tonight: Alicia Keys.
2023: World Tour 2023 arrives in Zurich, where Bruce and the E Street Band tour debut “My Hometown.” Buy or stream this show here.
