Bruce in concert is the M-A-N! Saw his last tour and they played for 5 hours. Unbelievable energy. I like, not love, his music, but you are correct. His songs are very sincere. And genuine.
I saw Aerosmith here in Vegas last year and Steven Tyler put on a similar show. And I believe he's a couple years older than Bruce.
Your dad seems like he's always been a cool guy to hang out with. Your book "Are We Winning?" proved that.
Bruce. The first disc came out when i was a freshman in college and I wore it out - he wasn’t the “new Dylan” - he was “my Dylan”. I first saw him the week Born to Run came out - the same week he was on the cover of both Time and Newsweek…I have never seen a better show. After that, it was 24 hour Bruce…show after show, venue after venue. I have somehow managed to have long career in radio…and he has been part of every gig I’ve pulled since. I envy your Bruce closeness with your dad…mine is now 90 and all he wants to talk about is his bowling score and the Mets…my kids? Into their own lives, the Boss doesn’t play a part. But he’s still my guy…always. It’s our Jersey roots, sure. But my admiration is mostly because of his authenticity….onstage, he knows who he is…offstage, his recent book exposed his own struggles - his need for therapy, trying to find out who he is….and doesn’t that mirror our own struggles? So glad to find out that he is the guy I thought I knew….still. Thanks for sharing!
I read this issue of Will's newsletter this morning for the first time. I couldn't hit home any harder. Beautifully written. For my lifetime, I will remember riding around my neighborhood with my 3 year old son in his carseat in the back of my truck (he's almost 16 now), listening to Avett Brothers' "Left on Laura, Left on Lisa" over and over. He called it "the sad song" and wanted to hear it again and again. It was the first song we loved together.
Another fabulous newsletter, Will. I saw Bruce at the Assembly Hall my freshman year, spring of '81. He played for 4 hours. Crazy good, and he didn't have the catalogue he has now.
Wonderful references to your father. You're fortunate, enjoy your parents.
Rough loss for the Illini Saturday... Still need to beat more of the front running B1G teams.
I finished "How Lucky" last week - what a great read!!
Something about your dad’s foot tapping evoking those car rides and how those memories swirled into the generations after you through similar motions and melodies really hit me. Music always evokes people for me, and this put that to words in a way that I’ve never been able to. Good stuff. Thanks as always for putting this out there.
I'm about the same age as you, Will, and I'm unabashedly a Springsteen fan. I have tickets to the show in KC on the 18th and can't wait - it will be my second time to see him live and the first was a revelation. From what I'm hearing (including your report), he hasn't lost a step.
Saw Springsteen live years ago at his peak and before insane ticket prices left me behind. Incredible show!
Bruce in concert is the M-A-N! Saw his last tour and they played for 5 hours. Unbelievable energy. I like, not love, his music, but you are correct. His songs are very sincere. And genuine.
I saw Aerosmith here in Vegas last year and Steven Tyler put on a similar show. And I believe he's a couple years older than Bruce.
Your dad seems like he's always been a cool guy to hang out with. Your book "Are We Winning?" proved that.
Interesting. I hadn't thought about seeing Aerosmith, but I have to say, I do think that wouldn't be a bad show.
Love Bruce. Love this week's essay
Thanks!
Bruce. The first disc came out when i was a freshman in college and I wore it out - he wasn’t the “new Dylan” - he was “my Dylan”. I first saw him the week Born to Run came out - the same week he was on the cover of both Time and Newsweek…I have never seen a better show. After that, it was 24 hour Bruce…show after show, venue after venue. I have somehow managed to have long career in radio…and he has been part of every gig I’ve pulled since. I envy your Bruce closeness with your dad…mine is now 90 and all he wants to talk about is his bowling score and the Mets…my kids? Into their own lives, the Boss doesn’t play a part. But he’s still my guy…always. It’s our Jersey roots, sure. But my admiration is mostly because of his authenticity….onstage, he knows who he is…offstage, his recent book exposed his own struggles - his need for therapy, trying to find out who he is….and doesn’t that mirror our own struggles? So glad to find out that he is the guy I thought I knew….still. Thanks for sharing!
Definitely. You gotta sneak into a show on this tour. I hadn't seen him in a decade or so, and it was night and day.
I read this issue of Will's newsletter this morning for the first time. I couldn't hit home any harder. Beautifully written. For my lifetime, I will remember riding around my neighborhood with my 3 year old son in his carseat in the back of my truck (he's almost 16 now), listening to Avett Brothers' "Left on Laura, Left on Lisa" over and over. He called it "the sad song" and wanted to hear it again and again. It was the first song we loved together.
Oh, wow, that's a great song. Thank you for this story. And happy new years!
Agreed. We need to beat an upper tier school...
Another fabulous newsletter, Will. I saw Bruce at the Assembly Hall my freshman year, spring of '81. He played for 4 hours. Crazy good, and he didn't have the catalogue he has now.
Wonderful references to your father. You're fortunate, enjoy your parents.
Rough loss for the Illini Saturday... Still need to beat more of the front running B1G teams.
I finished "How Lucky" last week - what a great read!!
Thanks, man! I'm nervous about Saturday: Lose that one, and we're actually in a little bit of trouble.
Something about your dad’s foot tapping evoking those car rides and how those memories swirled into the generations after you through similar motions and melodies really hit me. Music always evokes people for me, and this put that to words in a way that I’ve never been able to. Good stuff. Thanks as always for putting this out there.
Thanks, man. They're not always perfect around these parts, but I did think I got this one right.
Rough day for the Illini.
I'm about the same age as you, Will, and I'm unabashedly a Springsteen fan. I have tickets to the show in KC on the 18th and can't wait - it will be my second time to see him live and the first was a revelation. From what I'm hearing (including your report), he hasn't lost a step.
Yeah, but I didn't think they played badly. I think they're better than Iowa, all told.
There are 4 or 5 albums, like frampton comes alive, where I wait for the break in the 8 track tape!
Lol
Bruce is the best, your article made me tear up
Thanks, man!