The Music Mix has learned that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform as planned at the first of two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concerts in NYC this Thursday.
The band cancelled its Kansas City tour stop last night on short notice due to a death in the family. Later reports explained that Lenny Sullivan, Springsteen’s cousin and an assistant road manager for the band, had died unexpectedly at age 34 before the show. News of this sad loss traveled quickly through the Springsteen fan community; we at the Music Mix join in sending our most heartfelt condolences to the Boss.
Many wondered last night whether or not the band would play their next scheduled date, the Hall of Fame show. A spokesperson for the concerts tells the Music Mix that Springsteen and the E Street Band are, indeed, still set to perform. Surely no one would have blamed them if they’d wanted to take another night off, but it’s good to know they’re able to go on in the face of tragedy.
Were you planning to attend the Kansas City show, or will you be there at the Hall of Fame performance? Share your thoughts below.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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Photo credit: Brian Hineline/Retna
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Sorry for the Boss’ loss. KC is missing a great show. I reviewed the St. Louis show Sunday night and it was perhaps the show of the year.
My husband and I, with tickets in hand, rounded the corner near the Sprint Center and were stopped in our tracks by the cancellation sign. We arrived at 6:20, just minutes after it was cancelled. So sorry for Bruce, his family and the band.
I will add that, unlike many people who actually flew in from out of the country or drove from each of the costs, we only live 10 minutes from the arena.
May Lenny Sullivan’s soul “Rest In Peace” Bruce we are sorry to hear of your loss, and we understand the need to stop the show. You’ll be back and we can enjoy your great
music at a leter date. We Love You Man!
I just got back here in MN after spending 14 hours in the car and a night in Kansas City. I’m a little disappointed about the cancellation, but all my thoughts and prayers are with Bruce and the band and crew. We’ll be seeing Bruce further on up the road.
It’s really sad, as reported in the KC Star, a young 14 year old girl traveled from Alaska and her friend from Portland to attend last night. She was seat #20. Bless her heart. She’d been planning for 6 months to come. I hope the Boss can make it up to them and all the others we haven’t heard about who were inconvenienced. It’s unfortunate for everyone, all the way around.
Respectfully, the Springsteen fan community is far, far larger than one blog, and the range of emotion felt and expressed larger than that one blog. I don’t even think that blog believes it’s speaking for all of us.
Springsteen is amazing! Want to see him in concert.
ps who else is addicted to BAD ROMANCE by Lady Gaga? Infectious!
ME! I LOVE THAT SONG!
Oh, and yeah, my thoughts are with Bruce. Please come back to KC!
It’s a real shame for those fans inconvenienced by Lenny’s death. I do hope they are able to get over it. Perhaps Bruce can take some time from his grieving to console them.
Best wishes to Bruce and the whole family.
My best to Bruce and his family. Going to Hall of Fame show on Fri night. Clapton canceled, but excited to see Metallica and U2!
Sad for Springsteen’s loss; glad that he will be at the Rock Hall concert caus I’m goin! Its going to be an unbelievable show
We met another couple at the Power & Light District to eat before the concert where we heard the word broadcast about the cancelation. It was great to have a night out and listen to all of the Boss tunes pouring out, but we would rather see that 3 hr. live show everyone is raving about!! Wish show was rescheduled instead of ticket refund…
Prayers for Bruce and family.
I knew Lenny Sullivan in college. He truly passed before his time. Lenny, you will be missed.
We were in line for several hours last night, and because we won the lottery we were going to be in the pit for this one.
They took an unusually long time coming out to get the reformed line to take in. Then, shortly before 6, they came out with a megaphone and announced that due to a death in the immediate family, that the show was canceled. And that was that; they unceremoniously went back inside. At first it felt like some super odd joke. But after everyone stood in shocked silence for a minute, the crowd dispersed.
I will say that 99% of everyone took the news very well. I, like everyone else, was of course sad to hear the news, but you gotta take care of yourself first. If the band was close to Lenny, and it sounds like they were, it’s not fair to make them go onstage after hearing such harsh and sad news. Our thoughts are with the band and Lenny’s family today.
I was in line to get in the pit in KC after driving from Des Moines. Feel bad for Bruce and everyone affected. I went out with friends in the city and had a fun time anyway.