“What do you bet he starts at 7:45?” I turned my eyes from the stage to Helen.
Helen lowered her phone and glanced to the stage, “Oh, he will start at 7:45 p.m.” I nodded.
The lights went down, and Springsteen walked on stage, backlit - my phone shone 7:45. Of course - as published. He is the Soichiro Honda of the rock world. He delivers.
Having not seen Springsteen since the 1984 Born in the USA tour, I was somewhat dubious about a 73-year-old rocker. Helen was giddy, “I want to hear two songs. ‘No Surrender’ and ‘Glory Days.’"
Opening Song: “No Surrender.” Bruce delivers…
Playing Baltimore, he inserted “Hungry Heart” into the set. Of course. The E Street Band played the intro and Bruce turned his mic to a chorus of 14,000:
“Got a wife and kids in Baltimore Jack,
I went out for a ride and I never went back
Like a river that don’t know where its flowing
I took a wrong turn and just kept going.”
They delivered.
Springsteen challenged the crowd with a story of the death of the last original member of his original band. The death sparked a new song, “Last Man Standing:”
“Rock of ages lift me somehow
Somewhere high and hard and loud
Somewhere deep into the heart of the crowd
I'm the last man standing now"
Scanning the audience, it was the same folks as 1983 – baby boomers – now sporting grey hair and an unsteady gait. A few young folks – the ones dancing – firm gait and full of confidence.
Did Bruce reach “deep into the heart of the crowd” – a night of nostalgia or revelation?
Springsteen is 50 years down the road. He still starts on time, plays 3-hour sets, and simultaneously entertains and challenges the faithful. He delivers.
If he can, we can: carry on and make a difference in our little corner of the world. Deliver.
“Well, now young faces grow sad and old
And hearts of fire grow cold
We swore blood brothers against the wind
I’m ready to grow young again...
No retreat, baby, no surrender.“
How about you? When did you deliver? Share a story.
2nd Helping
Helen got her wish – “Glory Days” was the 4th of 7 encores... He delivers.
What of a 73-year-old man that pours his heart and soul into his work for 3 hours night after night? From February to December 2023, Springsteen will play approximately 75 shows. He will travel from Amsterdam to Weir, in Europe, from Albany to Winnipeg in North America. Bruce went out for a ride, and he keeps coming back.
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