On this date: The debut of “The Hitter,” a rare 1971 soundboard performance, and more. Plus: “Good evening, Ohio!”
Tag:
Better Days (11)
Big day: Bruce releases his second studio album, films a 1980 River show for posterity (and an eventual box set), and makes guest appearances with Huey Lewis, Bob Geldof, and Eric Church. Lots more inside.
Steel Mill plays under the stars, Boom Carter and Dave Sancious play their final E Street gig, Philly and Boston duel each other across the years for most fervent news coverage, and more–all from this date.
On this date: Bruce plays Red Rocks for the first time, guest stars abound, and the legendary ten-night MSG Reunion stand continues. More highlights inside.
On this date: Bruce receives Sweden’s Polar Music Prize. Watch full footage plus more highlights inside.
Steve Van Zandt makes his Steel Mill debut, Dr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom play their first show, and Bruce convinces Columbia Records to sign The Bangles–all on this date in Springsteen history.
On this date: Bruce wins the Best Original Song Academy Award for “Streets of Philadelphia,” plays his first-ever show in Australia, releases the single for “Better Days” and more.
A tale of two versions of the same song. One ranks near the top of Bruce’s catalog, the other near the bottom. Find out which is which (and why) inside.
What the heck was I doing at this particular show? Believe it or not, I was (relatively) in the neighborhood, and I’m sure glad I was.
“Souls of the Departed” serves as the mirror image and bookend to “Better Days” on Bruce’s Lucky Town album–a deeply unsettling song about the hidden costs of a charmed life.