Your daily dose of Springsteen originals and covers
Bruce stuns locals in Montana when he jams with a restaurant house band, and shocks fans worldwide when Springsteen on Broadway is officially confirmed. Plus: Joe Grushecky catches his first Bruce concert, the Springsteen/Appel lawsuit gets underway, and Bruce plays his legendary Darkness Show at The Agora.
Today is a relatively quiet date in Springsteen history, but there’s one momentous exception: the very first performance ever of “Backstreets.” Listen to it here.
No other highlight from this date can top our lead story: Bruce’s legendary East Berlin show in front of 300,000 energized, galvanized Germans.
Bruce makes a surprise “guest” appearance with Joe Grushecky (if 15 of 18 songs can be considered a guest appearance), Bruce teases an injured Jake, the Devils and Dust Tour set list busts open, and more.
On this date: Bruce kicks off a magical show at Circus Maximus with “New York City Serenade” (complete with strings), plays a one-time-only cover of “Honky Tonk,” and makes surprise appearances at Jersey shore bar gigs. More highlights inside.
On this date in Springsteen history: Bruce launches the U.S. leg of the Reunion Tour, kicks off a ten-night Rising stand at Giants Stadium, and releases his Magic Tour Highlights EP. Video, audio (including a 1978 radio interview) and more inside.
On this date: Listen to a work-in-progress “Born to Run” from the Bottom Line and a rare E Street Band “Man’s Job.” Plus Patti releases her first solo album, Rumble Doll—listen to her in-depth radio interview inside.
Highlights from this date: a great recording of an early version of “Rosalita,” a guest-appearance by Joan Baez, an abandoned “Dancing in the Dark” video,, and more. Plus: the E Street Band (and the fans!) get an on-stage surprise in Indianapolis.
On this date: Bruce films the video for “Glory Days,” makes a guest appearance with Robert Gordon, plays the last “The Price You Pay” for almost 30 years, and more.
On this date: the strange circumstances behind the first ever performance of “Dancing in the Dark,” the wrap-up of the Ghost of Tom Joad Tour, and more.