One of the many inevitable singalong moments at a concert by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band comes whenever the gang breaks into something from 1975’s Born to Run. That album is eight undeniable anthems in a row, from “Thunder Road” straight through “Jungleland,” and fans go justifiably nuts as soon as they hear the opening notes of any one of ‘em. So just imagine how wild the assembled devotees at Chicago’s United Center are going to go on Sept. 20, when Bruce and Co. will perform Born to Run in its entirety, as their reps have just confirmed to the Music Mix. One of the most formally perfect albums of all time, played start to finish by a band that, as recent tours have proven, remains very much in possession of its rockin’ powers — talk about a show you don’t want to miss. YouTube just won’t be able to do this justice.
Personally, I’m going a little insane just thinking about the fact that I’m not going to be able to make it out to Chicago to see that show. Yet all hope isn’t lost: Rumor has it that Bruce and the band might be playing some similar full-album shows in other cities this fall. Does that mean there’s a chance that I might get to witness all of, say, 1978’s even-awesomer Darkness on the Edge of Town when I see Springsteen at Giants Stadium in a few months? The E Street camp wouldn’t confirm anything of the sort at this time, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. (After all, a month ago I was hoping that the Pixies would bring their European Doolittle tour to the States, and sure enough, this morning a press release informs me that they’re doing just that.)
Any Chicagoans psyched to see this show? Or are you, like me, stuck hoping this becomes a multi-city affair? Watch a much younger E Street Band tear through Born to Run’s “She’s the One” in 1975 below to refresh your memory, then let us know.
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Bruce Springsteen on the Music Mix
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This is great for Bruce fans, especially first time concertgoers I think. I’ll be seeing him in NJ on 10/3 and personally would rather see DARKNESS in its entirety then. I’ve seen most of the BTR songs multiple times so I guess I’d rather hear some other favorites.
wonder if he got the idea from the recent “astral weeks” tour by van morrison
or berlin – lou reed
Or the Pitchfork festival in Chicago where they reserved one night for multiple bands to play their most well-regarded albums in their entirety. It’s not a new thing, it’s happening all over, and if anyone’s entitled to do it Bruce is.
He saw lucinda Williams do this during his Seeger sessions tour. I would love to hear darkness, but would rather hear the river. Then I could finally hear The Price You Pay.
When I saw him last April he did almost every song from BTR and the ones he didn’t do, he did when I saw him this May. My vote would be to see him do “The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle” start to finish.
Meeting Across the River is an anthem? Can we tone down the hyperbole just a tad?
Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town broke new ground for The Boss in 1978. A counterpoint to the operatic elegance of Born to Run, the album was an angry, raw record that burst forth after a three-year hiatus.Because of its darker tones, Darkness is a difficult album for the casual listener, but for Bruce’s legion of dedicated fans, it is a cherished gem.The Light in Darkness is a forthcoming book that celebrates this classic Springsteen work.
Yes, it’s a “gem” to me…
To those who say Bruce is copying Van Morrison (admittedly one of his main influences) or Lucinda Williams, Bruce performed both Born to Run and Darkness in their entirety in Asbury Park in May 2008.
excellent! But if I say this, I am the person sniffing at the filet mignon, but how do I wish it was The River?
Oh so do I: to hear the River end-to-end live would just be insane!!!! But I’d take Darkness as a consolation. And everyone is doing the “consummate album in it’s entirety” lately. Must be an AEG/CC thing that their “focus groups” said rates high. Even still, I likes!
I hope no one really thinks this is a relatively new idea that Springsteen is “stealing” from Van Morrison or Lucinda Williams. Pink Floyd has played “The Wall” in it’s entirety in concert numerous times over the years, as early as 1980. And I’m sure Floyd wasn’t the first. Many other bands have done the same thing with one of their albums over the years.
I live in Chicago. I’m not about to pay $100 for nose-bleed seats at the notorious ’scalper friendly’ United Center. Is this concert free…then I’ll definitily go, otherwise – how long will this show even last, 1 hour? In these times…I’d sooner shelve out to see ‘The River’ in its entirety—better yet…I’ll just stay home and listen to it with Bruce’s buddy Obama.
lol, if you think Bruce is gonna just play BTR and then go home, you have never been to a show before. He has been hitting 3 hours every night, this will just be a portion of it. The $100 thing well that is up to you, but the price is the same for 1st and last row so ate least worth a check when they go onsale.
I didn’t say he copied Lucinda. But he saw her in 2006 (before the benefit show with Darkness and BTR). He said he thought that was a very cool idea. HE said it.
And yeah Bruce is not just going to play the eight songs off of Born To Run and be done. And I would be glad to pay more than $100 to night to see Bruce every night.
I am little confused, however. Is this concert only going to consist of 8 songs, or are they saying he will play the entirety of the alubm throughout the concert?
Born to Run was about freedom and Darkness was about being stuck. Both excellent albums. The youth in his voice was so apparent in this clip. Wished he didn’t use that twang and fake bullshit country accent. His Jersey boy comes out here. Still love him though. Saw him in 73 at the Bottom Line and he’s been with me ever since.
Back in ‘69 The Who were performing “Tommy” in it’s entirety as the 2nd half of their Filmore East shows…this concept of performing complete albums has been around that long.
In addition, the idea has also been fueled by other motivations, not the least which is economics. More & more notable & notorious bands have been performing & releasing concert versions (both on cd & video) of their seminal works (on either new or even their own labels) in order to reclaim a pride & right of ownership of material that they no longer ‘owned’ the masters of. It was a contributing factor for Heart’s “Steamboat Annie Live” release as well the aforementioned “Astral Weeks” tour & release….but to be clear, I’m not suggesting any of those issues contributed to Mr. Springsteen’s decisions. I believe he is driven by a genuine respect for his community of fans.