New for 2024: Review for 2002 and 2012; new entry for 2003
1971: The Bruce Springsteen Band is in residence at the Student Prince in Asbury Park.
1984: The Born in the U.S.A. Tour comes to Kemper Arena in Kansas City for a night.
1995: Bruce pays tribute to Frank Sinatra on the occasion of his 80th birthday at a televised tribute concert, performing an acoustic cover of “Angel Eyes.”
1996: Bruce releases a new EP, Blood Brothers, available with the new VHS version of the Blood Brothers documentary chronicling the temporary 1995 reunion of the E Street Band. That evening, Bruce visits Memphis on his Ghost of Tom Joad Tour and plays an encore performance (and tour premiere) of “I’m Turning into Elvis.”
1998: The promotional push for Tracks begins, as Bruce tapes a 20-minute interview with Bob Costas, which will be aired the following month on Dateline.
1999: Patti is still out of action due to a perforated eardrum when the Reunion Tour stops at Buffalo’s Marine Midland Arena.
2002: Bruce tour debuts “Darlington County,” and Emmylou Harris makes a guest appearance on “My Hometown” when Bruce and the E Street Band bring the Rising Tour to Birmingham, Alabama.
2003: In his home studio, Bruce records backing vocals and guitar for Gary U.S. Bonds’ upcoming track, “Can’t Teach and Old Dog New Tricks.”
2005: Bruce plays an almost solo acoustic show at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida… almost solo, because he’s joined by two notable guests: Steve Van Zandt and Clarence Clemons. The mini-reunion only lasts for three songs, but it’s delightful–particularly a magical “Drive All Night.” Oh, and not for nothing: “Roll of the Dice” makes its tour debut as well.
2006: Bruce and the Sessions Band play the last of a three-night stand at Dublin’s Point Theater, where “For You” makes its tour premiere. The show is recorded and filmed, and seven songs will be released on the Live in Dublin CD and video release. “For You” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad” from this show will be released in a special Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band PBS Exclusive EP for PBS pledge donors.
2007: The first leg of the Magic Tour ends in Boston, and with it, a chapter of the E Street Band’s history. Although no one knows it yet, this will be the last full show to feature founding member Danny Federici, whose illness will be announced shortly after. The band knows it though, and it’s an emotional night. Bruce designs the setlist to spotlight Danny, peppering the show with organ- and accordion-centric songs like “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” and “Kitty’s Back.” Bruce also tour premieres “This Hard Land” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” (the latter with guest-star Peter Wolf) in this memorable night. This show is available as part of Bruce’s official archive series–get it here.
2012: From Kansas City to Denver, Bruce plays another city-themed opening number, starting his Wrecking Ball show at the Pepsi Center with “Get Out of Denver,” a tour premiere. Also played for the first time this tour: “Across the Borderline,” with one verse in Spanish. And while it isn’t a premiere, any outing for “Bishop Danced” is notable.
2019: Bruce assembles the E Street Band at his home studio in Colts Neck for the second of a five-day recording session that will lead to Letter to You.
2022: Bruce appears on RTE Radio in Ireland to promote his new album, Only the Strong Survive.
