Springsteen Shows

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The anticipation builds for weeks as the date of the show gets closer.

Then there’s the buzz as the arena begins to fill. 

Everyone is sort of eerily quiet as people talk about the number of times they’ve seen the band and where. 

When we find someone in the gathering who’s never been, we gang up and say, ‘Just wait and see!’

There’s never an opening act. No need for one. We all know what’s coming.

The lights dim, and the quiet is gone as people start cheering and chanting, “Bruuuuuucccceeee!”

Then the band comes up the stairs. Nils and Garry. Sister Suzie and Max and Jake, then Patti and Steven (who gets a cheer). In the old days, Clarence’s appearance would bring a roar.

Then the buzz begins again…

…Bruce comes up the stairs and there’s a huge roar.

“Good evening, Buffalo, or Rochester or Albany or Syracuse!”

Then just a “One, two, three, four!”

And we’re off.

One song into the next, Bruce pouring every ounce of energy into every word. The band just warming up, never missing a note.

I like looking around at the crowd. No one has even thought about sitting down…

…3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th straight song and then Bruce will say:

“It’s so good to be back here with you. We’re here to wake you up, make you dance, and to rock your asses off!”

And back at it.

I often think about the first time I saw them - nearly 40 years ago - and in the 35 times since I’ve always walked out thinking:

“That was as great as ever.”

Other than him playing songs off of Western Stars (which is one of my favorite of all his records), I’ve heard Bruce play most everything.

(Even Santa Claus is Coming to Town - that very first time - at a September show).

There’s a lot less running and jumping now - most of the band is in their 70’s - back in the 1980’s, Bruce was all over that stage - on the piano - serving in the crowd).

He was a force of nature for so long.

By the end of the show, everything hurts. The voice is gone, the smile won’t leave your face and Bruce finishes it all by saying:

“We’ll be seeing you.”

Sadly, he hasn’t done that to end the shows on this tour.

His final song has been:

“I’ll see you in my dreams.”

There are a few more chances to catch them on the rest of this tour…

…Pittsburgh in August is next up on the agenda.

and the buzz from one of the shows last for a few weeks.

Searching for that moment where the world seems right.

The world seems right when you’re watching Bruce and the E Street Band - if you’ve never been - well, you’re truly missing out.

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