Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Cream Calendar Bruce Springsteen at Sommet Center TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Adam Gold on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Bruce Springsteen and Chipotle come to town within a week of each other. Holy hell, how the gods have smiled upon Nashville as of late. While the 45-minute wait to get a goddamn burrito tells me that Chipotle is likely long for Music City, Springsteen's time in town will be finite. If you read my preview of the-only-boss-I-listen-to's show at the Sommet Center tonight in this week's print edition of the Scene, then you'll know that this may very well be your last chance to catch the greatest fuckin' show you'll ever see.
This might surprise you, but Springsteen is NOT my favorite artist of all-time. That distinction belongs to The Clash. The thing is, I can't go see The Clash live...ever. I can't even see Joe Strummer. I will lament that cold hard fact 'til the day I die. I can, however, see the Boss. You see, you've got to take advantage of the chance to see legends while they're still living. Even if you don't get Springsteen (yet), you should make it out to tonight's show simply as an insurance policy, in case you ever DO become a fan after it's too late. It's a matter of pragmatism.
I have no doubt that, by now, many of you have grown tired of my obsessing over my favorite living rock 'n' roll superhero. As I ready myself for my 15th, and perhaps final, Springsteen show, you can all rest assured that my need to preach the gospel will subside until Bruce and his ministry of rock 'n' roll feel the need to come around again. That being said, I'm pretty psyched to see another Bruce show among friends and in my backyard, so let me have my moment.
You see, for as long as I can remember, I've always been a die-hard fan of rock music. From seeing countless shows by my favorite bands to collecting bootlegs, watching rock-docs and reading debaucherous bios, I fully understand and practice super-fan compulsion. While I can't help but notice that most bands are terrible and that their fans suffer from neurological disorders that result in their sheepish allegiance and laughable completism, I identify with them nonetheless. For that reason I can always appreciate musings and anecdotes from the fan perspective.
Later came another show at Municipal--on the River Tour--a legendary Born in the U.S.A.-era show at MTSU's Murphy Center in 1984, a solo performance at The Ryman in '96, stops at what is now known as the Sommet Center in 2000 and 2008 and, of course, Bonnaroo. While you're likely to hear great stories from any of these performances, it's the 1978 Darkness show that is by far Middle Tennessee's most fabled. The most famous story to come from this show is one Elvis Costello told at a 1996 taping of VH1's Storytellers. Where he revealed that his 1980 classic "Temptation" was inspired by seeing (and presumably meeting) Springsteen at Municipal Auditorium. On a separate occasion he had this to say about that fateful night:
It's really hard to fall in love with someone from row 97..... This here song is a song I wrote in 1978 in Nashville, TN, I was in row 97 actually, at a concert by a very famous American rock singer, and I was looking at him and thinking, 'Wow, this is getting tough for this guy'. I know he's real, but it's getting like he's not allowed to be real anymore. I said 'That'll never happen to me. Fame will never go to my head.'
As I watched Springsteen and Costello duet on a cover of Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher" at Madison Square Garden last week, I couldn't help but be reminded of how one inspired the other mere miles from my home. Check out some awesome footage of that excellent NYC performance below.
Recently I received a copy of a book titled The Light in Darkness. Compiled by photographer Lawrence Kirsch, the book is an oral history recounting the entire Darkness tour, using fan accounts and excellent photos from each show. I'm posting pictures from the Municipal stop for anyone who might've actually been there to witness it. Hopefully those folks will be at the Sommet Center tonight as well. If you're interested in checking out the The Light in Darkness book, you can order it here. Tickets to see Springsteen at the Sommet Center tonight are still available. Get them here for as little as $35. Seriously, don't fuck this up. Go to the show. Look for me and my "Streets of Fire" request sign.
Comments (23)
Showing 1-23 of 23
Good stuff Adam...anyone in Nashville on the fence with this one will regret it in the morning...the Titans aren't playing...get yer ass to the arena!
like
dislike
I remembered it was this morning, but wasn't officially excited until I read this. You're the best show-buddy, Gold.
Never really got into Bruce. There's enough good music out there that it's tough to ever get to it all. So at some point I cut my losses where the Boss was concerned.
Plus I always found him kind of hokey (although, admittedly, that's more of an impression of his middle-aged incarnation).
I've noticed that I tend to like it when other bands cover his songs. I am fond of "State Trooper" for this reason.
And hopefully he will remember where his 60-year old ass is tonight:
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/11/springsteen_forgets_where_hes.html
"Hammersmith Odeon, London '75," an astonishing film of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's legendary November 18 concert"
I wish someone on the floor would make a sign for "Darlington County" with Darlington crossed out and Davidson written in. And I know it's a kind of a cheesy song, but I'd like to hear "Outlaw Pete" live, though he's apparently not doing it much anymore.
I doubt Bruce's mistake in Michigan had so much to do with his age as the fact that he's been on tour for about two years straight.
Though I hope this isn't the last tour with the E Street Band, Bruce says he's been working on some solo stuff and I look forward to hearing it. I'd also love a "Seeger Sessions" follow-up. And apparently his autobiography may be in the works.
Back around 1977, Bruce was scheduled to play the War Memorial Auditorium with an opening act called the "Ramones". Thanks to KDF-FM's crusade against punk rock at the time, the show was canceled due to lack of ticket sales. Back then, any act that didn't originate in the 60's was suspected of being "punk" and Bruce bringing the Ramones to town didn't help his cause any.
Seemed odd to me that Steel Mill, which I understand was pretty hard-rock group, would open for crooner like Orbison (Bruce's admiration for Roy notwithstanding). BruceBase clarifies for me:
"...Steel Mill on August 29 at the 3rd Annual Nashville Music Festival, sponsored by WMAC. Steel Mill was one of about twenty different acts to take part. Headliners included Roy Orbison, Brian Hyland, Ronnie Milsap..."
"The weather was lovely and the crowd was about 50,000 – the largest audience Springsteen would play in front of until the 1980’s. Springsteen famously recalled this show in his speech inducting Roy Orbison into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1987."
http://brucebase.org.uk/gig1970.htm
Just received my copy of the Light in Darkness, it really gives a detailed history of the Darkness album and tour... as close to being there as possible. Highly recommended!
So after the review of this show is posted does that mean we get, at least, a 3 month break from Bruce coverage?
Gold...I'm going to need you to keep me from fainting - especially if he pulls out "Lost in the Flood" or something out right unexpected happens like Emmylou comes out and they do "Racing in the Streets."
My sign will read: "Sandy" for Danny!
- I settle for Southside Johnny assisting on the "Detriot Medley"
My 19 year old son is going to be there tonight. I grew up not far from the Jersey Shore and he has NO idea what that was all about, which is sad really..that he never spent summers on a boardwalk getting "wasted in the heat">>I think I made him join swim teams and do constructive things and live far far from the seaside...how I envy him since Born to Run is going to be played from front to back, and I love love Backstreets and Jungleland among others on BTR
Born to Run was released when I was 19 and it captured a certain moment...so it is gratifying that my son still relates and appreciates The Boss greatly. You 50 somethings show him how its done, now.
I am with you Adam. I saw the Darkness show, Louisville August 5, 1978. Never been the same since. Saw Bruce last summer in Nashville and he hasn't missed a beat. Looking forward to tonight and renewing the rock n'roll ties that bind!
Front to back is the proper technique, for good hygiene. Also: Tobin, you're ridiculous.
Anyone else think this show kinda sucked? Everyone around where I was sitting looked so bored the whole time..
I was battling what may or may not be a case of H1N1, but slight fever, headache, and general feeling like ass-ness aside I thought the Boss put on a helluva show last night. It was my first Bruce show and I was bound and determined not to miss it despite every part of my body telling me I should stay home under a blanket or five.
I did have to give up and head out after "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", but getting to hear Born to Run in it's entirety was worth the discomfort and crankiness I had with all the drunk assholes around me as I struggled for personal space on the floor. I got chills (again, I did have a slight fever) when he played those first few harmonica notes to Thunder Road. Just Awesome.
Vote here for best Band of the Week
Slideshows
Top Commenters
