New for 2024: New entry for 2023
1973: Bruce and the as yet unnamed E Street Band headline during freshman orientation at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts.
1975: Live at the Ya Ya Lounge in New Orleans, it’s… Lee Dorsey and the E Street Band? Bruce is on his way to the next tour stop in Texas, but the E Street Band stays behind in New Orleans to play a gig at the club without him. The gig is a barter for Dorsey lending his vocals on Southside Johnny’s upcoming Steve Van Zandt-produced album.
1984: In honor of Buddy Holly’s birthday, Bruce tour premieres “Rave On” as an encore at his Born in the U.S.A. show in Hartford. They won’t ever play it again (at least to date).
1988: At the annual MTV Video Music Awards, “Tunnel of Love” loses in all five of its nominated categories: Video of the Year (to INXS’ “Need You Tonight/Mediate”); Best Male Video (to Prince’s “U Got the Look”); Best Art Direction (to Squeeze’s “Hourglass”); Best Editing (again to INXS); and Viewer’s Choice (INXS).
2003: Night Two at Fenway Park on the Rising Tour features the tour premiere of “Frankie,” a reprise opener of “Diddy Wah Diddy” and a Peter Wolf guest appearance on the show-closing “Dirty Water.”
2012: Bruce plays his first-ever show at Wrigley Field in Chicago when the Wrecking Ball Tour arrives for the first of two nights, and what a show it is: Bruce opens with “Prove It All Night” with the Darkness Tour intro and tour premieres “None But the Brave.” Tom Morello and Eddie Vedder both make multiple guest appearances.
2016: A show for the ages at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia–clocking in at 4:04, it remains Bruce’s longest show in the U.S. and his second longest show ever. The setlist continues the chronological “autobiography” theme of the victory lap, opening once again with a string-accompanied “New York City Serenade” and a stunning eleven pre-1974 songs. Philly specials abound: “The Fever” “Thundercrack,” and “Streets of Philadelphia” all make their tour debut. For more highlights from this show, see my Where the Band Was report.
2018: Springsteen on Broadway continues its theatrical run at the Walter Kerr Theater in New York City. Following this show, Bruce takes a three-week break. Earlier in the day, Bruce and Patti attend Ralph Lauren’s 50th anniversary party at New York Fashion Week.
2021: On the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks, a new documentary film is released featuring Bruce’s narration. (Skip to the five-minute mark to hear Bruce’s contribution.)
2023: Bruce postpones his scheduled show in Syracuse to the following April due to his peptic ulcer disease.
