OPINION

The Rockologist: Baptism By Bruce In The Northwest

Written by Glen Boyd
Published March 30, 2008

As anybody who reads my articles here with any sort of regularity already knows, I'm just a little bit of a Bruce Springsteen fan. It's a funny thing when you try to explain this to the uninitiated, too. You know that line from the Lovin' Spoonful song about "trying to tell a stranger about rock and roll?" Well that's how it is with Bruce.

Counting last night's amazing show at Key Arena in Seattle, I've seen Springsteen 34 times now. But for me, the night when I made the transition from casual fan to the raving lunatic I am today came at my fourth show, on a cold December night in 1978 at the Seattle Center Arena.

In a show that resembled a tent revival meeting as much as it did the most out-of-control house party you could ever imagine, Bruce and the E Street Band gave five-hours-plus worth of everything they had. They basically just tore the house down. The capper came just before 2 AM when about 100 of us hardcores refused to leave the building, and Bruce came out and did a surprise "Twist & Shout" with the house lights up, and half of the equipment torn down.

It was a night forever burned into my memory, and one that I will never forget.

So here we are, 30-odd shows and more than a few trips criss-crossing the country later, for yet another Bruce weekend. Like the man says, "Are you ready to ride?"

The weekend began with the trip from Seattle to Portland down I-5's infamous "slog". This is never a fun trip, although I always get a big kick out of reading the hardcore conservative messages on the giant Uncle Sam sign in Chehalis. This time out it read "Mars Has Global Warming. Can We Send Al Gore To Investigate?" Priceless.

So, after our sloggy and snowy drive down I-5, we arrived in Portland and headed to the Rose Garden to get our numbers for the GA lottery. And damn if we didn't luck out, drawing a sweet number that got us into the pit.

It's probably been about two decades since I've seen Bruce and the E Street Band up this close and personal, and man there is just nothing like it. Despite what the reports at Backstreets say, the energy level was also off the hook from the get-go, as Bruce launched into a rip-roaring segue of "Night" into "Radio Nowhere" into "Lonesome Day."

The Portland crowd — which on past tours has been somewhat notorious for sitting on their hands — was also absolutely amped on this night. There were signs everywhere for requests, and Bruce was all too willing to accommodate, calling audibles for "For You," "Lost In The Flood" and a letter perfect "Jungleland" in the encore. When Nils Lofgren completely shredded Bruce's usual guitar solo spot during "Prove It All Night," the roof was just about blown off of the building.

My only real complaint about Portland is that trying to find an aftershow burger and beer was nearly impossible, as the town seems to pretty much shut down at about 11:00, even on a Friday night (at least in the Rose Garden neighborhood). I eventually fell asleep watching the movie Borat courtesy of free hotel HBO.

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You'll find Blogcritics assistant music editor Glen Boyd sharing his Thoughtmares on his personal blogs The World Wide Glen, and The Rockologist, as well as at Cinema Blend Music. In a previous life, Glen was a music professional and journalist whose work has appeared in The Rocket, SPIN, Pulse!, and The Source. Glen is also seeking an active full-time writing gig. Will somebody please hire this man?

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Comments

#1 — March 31, 2008 @ 00:08AM — Mark Saleski [URL]

"Trapped".

damn. i saw that on the setlist update and swore a fricken' blue streak.

really great.

#2 — March 31, 2008 @ 00:14AM — Glen Boyd [URL]

I came pretty close to pissing myself when he started with that one, Mark.

-Glen

#3 — March 31, 2008 @ 01:49AM — Donald Gibson [URL]

Music always affects people on a personal level, but Springsteen is that rare artist who affects people on a personal level collectively. You did a great job of illustrating how that sense of community among the fans enriches the live experience.

This will be my first time with GA tickets. I've only been on the floor for Bruce once, for the D & D tour (14th row and we sorta rushed the stage at the end), but we were sitting for most of the night. I'm really looking forward to experiencing this up close.

Great piece.

- Donald

#4 — March 31, 2008 @ 01:55AM — Glen Boyd [URL]

Make sure you get there early to maximize your chances at drawing a good number Donald. Seeing Bruce and the rest of the E Streeters do their thing right freaking in front of you is a concert experience like few others. You're in for a treat my friend...

-Glen

#5 — March 31, 2008 @ 11:16AM — slider [URL]

Fans of Bruce Springsteen are not only devoted but articulate about why they worship the Boss. The book 'For You: Original Stories & Photographs by Bruce Springsteen's Legendary Fans' is the work of disciples from Boise to Barcelona. The mayor of Delray Beach, Fla., says it best: 'Bruce fans are a fraternity - we share something deep and special, a relationship with the artist and with each other.'

#6 — March 31, 2008 @ 15:52PM — Paul J. Marasa [URL]

Thanks for sharing your perspective with another longtime fan--my first Springsteen concert was in December of 1975, at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia. I remember the sound guy was freaking out--threw his headphones at one point--and Springsteen had a ball covering "Mountain of Love." I'm originally from NJ, so it's more or less state law that we keep going to that party.

#7 — March 31, 2008 @ 16:37PM — alessandro [URL]

I got into the pit here in Montreal on March 2nd. It was damn fricken cold but worth it in the end. I think it was one of the best shows I have ever attended in my life. And I've been to a few.

As some of you may or may not know, Montrealers are probably the most energetic and loud fans in North America - for sports or music concerts.

It was only my 4th Springsteenian baptism but my buddy had been to 16 and considered Montreal to be one of the most thunderous he's seen.

Springsteen noticeably fed off this.

Glenn, I also met Lawrence who published the book. He ended up going back stage for his efforts.

#8 — March 31, 2008 @ 19:51PM — charlie

34 times you've seen Bruce? And I thought seeing him (with or without his E Street band) 6 times was cool enough!

Glad you had a great time (up close you lucky son of a gun, though I got 3rd row seats to see Bruce when I was 11 years old back in '92 in Worcester, MA) and put the experience into a good review.

#9 — March 31, 2008 @ 20:02PM — charlie

And you got to meet Bruce! You know, the closest I got was at that Worcester Centrum show when I was 11; he went into the crowd with his guitar for a brief period and as he went by me (again, I was in the 3rd row, dead center), I got to touch Bruce's shoulder. Like your experiences, that one was one I'll never forget.

#10 — March 31, 2008 @ 20:38PM — Glen Boyd [URL]

Thanks for all of the great comments you guys. A couple of quickie responses here:

Slider (Comment #5): I not only know of the For You book, but you'll find my own contribution to it on page 32...and speaking of that...

Alessandro (Comment #7): I exchanged email with Lawrence today and he told me the whole story. He was back there as a guest of Landau and Carr for 90 minutes, and presented Bruce with a copy of the book, got pics taken, etc. Lucky bastard! LOL...

Thanx for the coments everybody.

-Glen

#11 — March 31, 2008 @ 22:04PM — El Bicho [URL]

"trying to tell a stranger about rock and roll?"

Just play the stranger Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."

#12 — April 1, 2008 @ 03:19AM — Donald Gibson [URL]

Bruce played "The Price You Pay" in Vancouver tonight.

Proceed to curse like a sailor...

- Donald

#13 — April 1, 2008 @ 03:24AM — Donald Gibson [URL]

Scratch that. It appears I've been duped by Backstreets on April Fools. (I started suspecting something was up when they said he played "Crush On You" and then brought out Anne Murray for a duet).

Sorry if your blood pressure is through the roof.

- Donald

#14 — April 1, 2008 @ 03:30AM — Glen Boyd [URL]

Yeah I read that and about fell outta my chair at first. But by the time he's bringing out Geddy Lee and the Guess Who, I started to figure out that something was up.

He did play Trapped again tonight, as well as Atlantic City and a toue premiere of None But the Brave. The show was also really long I heard. 20 songs in the main set, and another 5 in the encores.

And thats NOT an April Fools joke...

-Glen