This was it! I was going to see Bruce and the E Street Band. Here is what I wrote to my friend, Sue, so she could live vicariously through me...(2016 comment to 1988 notes in green)
"Started a little after 8--1st set ended 'round 9:30--only about a 25-minute intermission--played from 10 to a little after 12--definitely 3 1/2 hours worth. From where I sat I had a good view of where the band comes up and goes down (I had tickets behind the stage). Couldn't believe that I was actually seeing all my fave guys coming out of there. I'm sure you know Roy comes out by himself, then Danny and Max come out and "supposedly" purchase tickets (the stage had a ticket booth to the Tunnel of Love, of course), then Nils and Garry. Patti came up with heart-shaped balloons, then Clarence and the man himself, Bruce Springsteen. I still love how the music slowly builds as the musicians came out and then Bruce says, "Ready for a date?" and he throws roses out to the crowd."
Set List for First Set:
Tunnel of Love
Be True--Bruce sang second verse to us at the back "You deserve better than this, little girl can't you see that you do--do you need somebody to prove it to you?"
Adam Raised a Cain--Bruce did great guitar work
Two Faces--hauntingly beautiful
All That Heaven Will Allow--big long story, Bruce and Clarence sit on a park bench, like old friends (that they are), Bruce looking at pictures of the 3 year old 'little Big Man' and then telling us about how there are a lot of young kids in the E St. family and said that in about 15 years there will be a E St. Band Part Two--but would be mostly girls--told about Clarence and him in Europe a few tours ago when Clarence met his wife--"Clarence was always falling in love and always meeting the woman he was going to marry." He also talked about when they'd sit on a park bench eating bologna and cheese sandwiches with beer next to them watching the office girls go by. Then he ends it all by saying that he's got to go and get home by 11:00--"She lets me watch 'The Honeymooners' for a half hour and after that it's "lights out'"---I love this story...
Seeds--dug both Nils' and Bruce's guitar work!
Roulette--had a lot of power--Max was great!
Cover Me--Loved how at the end Bruce recited a few lines from the Stones' "Gimme Shelter'--"It's just a kiss away, kiss away, kiss away.."
Brilliant Disguise--still love the break, and the ending lines are so haunting in concert
Spare Parts--Roy's piano intro is very nice! Loved Bruce's story like the way he started the song--and Nils' slide guitar
War
Born in the USA--what can I say--great way to end the first set and Bruce's solo was great!
Now a 25 minute intermission---Take a look at my t-shirts! ($17 each!!!)
Second Set--
Tougher Than the Rest
Ain't Got You into She's the One--My favorite from the evening!
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)--As Bruce describes this song is about America's favorite past time "No, not that one!" --"Shopping" {Part of the stage act during this song involved band member Patti Scialfa (later Bruce's wife) and Nils Lofgren's then-wife Cis Rundle strutting across the stage while a bit of Orbison's "Pretty Woman" is played} Just campy and Bruce fun, as always...
I'm a Coward When it Comes to Love
I'm on Fire
One Step Up--Nils did a nice guitar solo
Part Man, Part Monkey--{More Bruce camp and sexiness, he removed his jacket, vest, bolo tie and got down to his shirt sleeves--the rest I'll leave to the imagination....}
Walk Like a Man
Dancing in the Dark
Light of Day (band introductions)
ENCORES:
Born to Run--{This version was entirely acoustic, and it was one that I look back on and cherish as it was more raw and poignant...}
Hungry Heart--1st verse is required audience participation to sing...Bruce came toward the back of the stage to sing the entire second verse
Glory Days
Rosalita
Detroit Medley
Train, Train
Sweet Soul Music
Bruce then says his quote, "I'm just a prisoner, of rock and roll!!!"
And one final Encore song prefaced by Bruce asking us if we wanted some "religious inspiration--some sexual consummation..."--So he and the band did Eddie Floyd's "Raise Your Hand."
The biggest thing I loved about watching both of these shows "behind the stage" is that you could see everything the band saw. At times, it gave me the impression that I was on stage with the band.
Stay tuned for the third and final installment of the Saturday night show. More surprises were in store....
