{"id":12004,"date":"1988-03-06T11:00:00","date_gmt":"1988-03-06T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/?p=12004"},"modified":"2026-02-08T05:43:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T13:43:39","slug":"matr-bruce-hornsby-and-bruce-springsteen-the-end-of-the-innocence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/1988\/03\/06\/matr-bruce-hornsby-and-bruce-springsteen-the-end-of-the-innocence\/","title":{"rendered":"The End of the Innocence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Most people associate &#8220;The End of the Innocence&#8221; with Don Henley, who scored one of the biggest hits of 1989 (peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100) with it when he released it as the lead single and title track from his third solo album.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"758\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fOy5KSrwHGw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p>But true Bruce fans know that Henley was only the song&#8217;s\u00a0<em>co-<\/em>writer&#8211;it was actually co-written and co-produced by Bruce, and it&#8217;s been a reliable staple of Bruce&#8217;s setlists ever since.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s that?<\/p>\n<p>Oh, sorry&#8211;I should have clarified: Bruce <em>Hornsby<\/em> is the co-writer\/co-producer of &#8220;The End of the Innocence,&#8221; and that&#8217;s him you hear on piano as well.<\/p>\n<p>But that doesn&#8217;t mean the song doesn&#8217;t have a connection to Bruce\u00a0<em>Springsteen<\/em> too.<\/p>\n<p>In December 2001, Bruce reprised his highly successful &#8220;&#8230;and friends&#8221; holiday\/community benefit shows in Asbury Park, and this time in addition to the usual suspects, the roster included two guest appearances by Bruce Hornsby.<\/p>\n<p>Among the songs the Bruces performed together was Hornsby and Henley&#8217;s &#8220;The End of the Innocence,&#8221; backed by the Max Weinberg 7. Lyrically, the song was tailor-made for both Bruces, and both turned in smooth vocals laced with poignancy and memory. Take a listen:<\/p>\n<div id=\"v-unsLQ48f-1\" class=\"video-player\"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='758' height='426' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/unsLQ48f?hd=1&amp;cover=1&amp;loop=0&amp;autoPlay=0&amp;permalink=1&amp;muted=0&amp;controls=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;useAverageColor=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent=\"true\" allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" src='https:\/\/s0.wp.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/video\/assets\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js'><\/script><\/div>\n<p>What&#8217;s the holiday connection? Beats the heck out of me.<\/p>\n<p>All I know is we got a one-time (well, two-time) pairing on a gorgeous song, and that&#8217;s good enough for me.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The End of the Innocence<br \/>\nFirst performed:<\/strong> December 7, 2001 (Asbury Park, NJ)<br \/>\n<strong>Last performed:<\/strong> December 8, 2001 (Asbury Park, NJ)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 August 16, 2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bruce meets Bruce when Messrs. Hornsby and Springsteen team up on a gorgeous, twice-only cover of Don Henley&#8217;s &#8220;The End of the Innocence.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4,3609,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cover-me","category-little-help","category-meeting-across-the-river"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/96-Don-Henley-End-of-the-Innocence.jpg?fit=980%2C980&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9w3Lk-37C","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":33404,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/2022\/04\/01\/matr-bruce-springsteen-and-don-henley-i-fought-the-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":12004,"position":0},"title":"MatR: Bruce Springsteen and Don Henley: I Fought the Law","author":"Ken","date":"April 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"In their first and only on-stage team-up, Don Henley and Bruce Springsteen covered an early rock classic.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cover Me&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cover Me","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/cover-me\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/foughtlaw.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/foughtlaw.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/foughtlaw.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/foughtlaw.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/foughtlaw.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":220,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/2018\/01\/18\/cover-me-take-it-easy\/","url_meta":{"origin":12004,"position":1},"title":"Cover Me: &#8220;Take It Easy&#8221;","author":"Ken","date":"January 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Another great one gone too soon: Bruce Springsteen pays tribute to Glenn Frey, one day following his death on January 18, 2016.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cover Me&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cover Me","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/cover-me\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/eagles.jpg?fit=595%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/eagles.jpg?fit=595%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/eagles.jpg?fit=595%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":56797,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/20\/kingdom-of-days-may-20-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":12004,"position":2},"title":"May 20","author":"Ken","date":"May 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Watch Bruce and his new band rehearse for their 1992 tour, and then listen to Joe Ely and Jerry Lee Lewis join them on stage a year later. These and more highlights from this date inside.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Kingdom of Days&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kingdom of Days","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/kingdom-of-days\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/19930520_front.jpg?fit=705%2C708&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/19930520_front.jpg?fit=705%2C708&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/19930520_front.jpg?fit=705%2C708&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/19930520_front.jpg?fit=705%2C708&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55590,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/16\/kingdom-of-days-january-16-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":12004,"position":3},"title":"January 16","author":"Ken","date":"January 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"On this date: the E Street Band plays to one of their smallest audiences ever, the revived River tour kicks off, plus news footage from '96.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Kingdom of Days&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kingdom of Days","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/kingdom-of-days\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2016-01-16-pittsburgh-pa-bruce-springsteen-the-e-street-band-1.webp?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2016-01-16-pittsburgh-pa-bruce-springsteen-the-e-street-band-1.webp?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2016-01-16-pittsburgh-pa-bruce-springsteen-the-e-street-band-1.webp?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2016-01-16-pittsburgh-pa-bruce-springsteen-the-e-street-band-1.webp?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2016-01-16-pittsburgh-pa-bruce-springsteen-the-e-street-band-1.webp?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61269,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/03\/kingdom-of-days-november-3-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":12004,"position":4},"title":"Kingdom of Days: November 3","author":"Ken","date":"November 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"On this date: Bruce gives a revealing radio interview, plays \"Prove It '78\" for the last time for 32 years, and makes the first of many Light of Day appearances. More highlights and tons of video inside.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Kingdom of Days&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kingdom of Days","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/kingdom-of-days\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bs241103_02.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bs241103_02.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bs241103_02.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bs241103_02.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55934,"url":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/11\/kingdom-of-days-february-11-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":12004,"position":5},"title":"February 11","author":"Ken","date":"February 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Bruce joins Marah in the studio, plays \"In Freehold\" *outside* Freehold for the first time, and plays three Australian shows (he knows the right time of year to go!) on this day in Springsteen history.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Kingdom of Days&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kingdom of Days","link":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/category\/kingdom-of-days\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/adel.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/adel.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/adel.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/estreetshuffle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/adel.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12004"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66306,"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12004\/revisions\/66306"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estreetshuffle.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}