FOR YOU

BLACK Acoustic "We Take Care of Our Own"

2012-01-25T10:05:00.000-05:00

I found an excellent cover of "We Take Care of Our Own"

done by Hamilton, Bermuda singer/songwriter: Will Black

Bruce Springsteen US Tour Dates Announced!!!

2012-01-24T15:36:00.001-05:00

From BS.net FINALLY!!
News Updated January 24, 2012

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band launch the first US leg of the 2012 'Wrecking Ball' World Tour on March 18 in Atlanta. Bruce Springsteen's 17th studio album 'Wrecking Ball' will be released on Columbia Records on March 6.

"We Take Care Of Our Own," the album's first single,' is "classic Springsteen" with "anguish and challenge [that] run thick and fast" (Rolling Stone); a "richly orchestrated Wall of Sound... that nods to the 'Born to Run' era" (Billboard).

The E Street Band's members are: Roy Bittan - piano, synthesizer; Nils Lofgren - guitar, vocals; Patti Scialfa - guitar, vocals; Garry Tallent - bass guitar; Stevie Van Zandt - guitar, vocals; and Max Weinberg - drums; with Soozie Tyrell - violin, guitar, vocals and Charlie Giordano - keyboards.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band 2012 Tour Dates:

US Tour Dates
March 18 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena (on sale Feb 4)
March 19 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum (on sale Feb 3)
March 23 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Bay Times Forum (on sale Jan 28)
March 26 - Boston, MA - TD Garden (on sale Jan 28)
March 28 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center (on sale Jan 28)
March 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 1 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 3 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center (on sale Jan 27)
April 4 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center (on sale Jan 27)
April 6 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden (on sale Jan 27)
April 9 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden (on sale Jan 27)
April 12 - Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills (on sale Jan 28)
April 13 - Buffalo, NY - First Niagara Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 16 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 17 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena (on sale Jan 28)
April 24 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion (on sale Feb 3)
April 26 - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (on sale Feb 3)
April 29 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (on sale now)
May 2 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center (on sale Jan 27)

European Tour Dates
May 13 - Seville, Spain - Estadio Olimpico (on sale now)
May 17 - Barcelona, Spain - Estadio Olimpico Lluis (on sale now)
May 18 - Barcelona, Spain - Estadio Olimpico Lluis (on sale now)
May 25 - Frankfurt, Germany - Commerzbank Arena (on sale now)
May 27 - Cologne, Germany - RheinEnergieStadion (on sale now)
May 28 - Landgraaf, Netherlands - Pinkpop (on sale 3 March)
May 30 - Berlin, Germany - Olympia Stadion (on sale now)
June 2 - San Sebastian, Spain - Estadio Anoeta (on sale now)
June 3 - Lisbon, Portugal - Rock in Lisbon (on sale now)
June 7 - Milan, Italy - Stadio Meaza (on sale now)
June 10 - Florence, Italy - Stadio Francesco (on sale now)
June 11 - Trieste, Italy - Stadio Trieste (on sale now)
June 17 - Madrid, Spain - Estadio Santago Bernabu (on sale now)
June 19 - Montpellier, France - Park & Suites Arena (on sale now)
June 21 - Sunderland, UK - Stadium of Light (on sale now)
June 22 - Manchester, UK - Etihad Stadium (on sale now)
June 24 - Isle of Wight, UK - Isle of Wight Festival (on sale now)
July 4 - Paris, France - Bercy (on sale now)
July 5 - Paris, France - Bercy (on sale now)
July 7 - Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival (on sale now)
July 9 - Zurich, Switzerland - Stadium Letzigrund (on sale now)
July 11 - Prague, Czech Republic - Synot Tip Arena (on sale now)
July 12 - Vienna, Austria - Ernst Happel Stadium (on sale now)
July 14 - London, UK - Hard Rock Calling (on sale now)
July 17 - Dublin, Ireland - RDS (on sale now)
July 18 - Dublin, Ireland - RDS (on sale now)
July 21 - Oslo, Norway - Valle Hoven (on sale now)
July 23 - Bergen, Norway - Koengen (on sale now)
July 24 - Bergen, Norway - Koengen (on sale now)
July 27 - Gothenberg, Sweden - Ullevi (on sale now)
July 28 - Gothenberg, Sweden - Ullevi (on sale now)
July 31 - Helsinki, Finland - Olympic Stadium (on sale Jan 25)

Visit brucespringsteen.net for more Bruce Springsteen news.

My "TAKE" on We Take Care Of Our Own

2012-01-20T09:00:00.015-05:00

From Bruce Springsteen's WRECKING BALL due out March 6th!!

Don't really need to say more... do I?

From .net

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM ' ON MARCH 6

Bruce Springsteen's new album 'Wrecking Ball'

has been set for March 6 release on Columbia Records.

Marking his 17th studio album, 'Wrecking Ball' features 11 new Springsteen songs

and was produced by Ron Aniello with Bruce Springsteen and executive producer Jon Landau.

A special edition of 'Wrecking Ball' will also be available

and include two bonus tracks and exclusive artwork and photography.

'Wrecking Ball' Song Titles:

We Take Care of Our Own
Easy Money
Shackled and Drawn
Jack of All Trades
Death to My Hometown
This Depression
Wrecking Ball
You've Got It
Rocky Ground
Land of Hope and Dreams
We Are Alive

Said long-time manager Jon Landau, "Bruce has dug down as deep as he can to come up with this vision of modern life. The lyrics tell a story you can't hear anywhere else and the music is his most innovative in recent years. The writing is some of the best of his career and both veteran fans and those who are new to Bruce will find much to love on 'Wrecking Ball.'"

Bruce Springsteen will make an appearance as the keynote speaker at SXSW 2012.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be touring extensively in the US and Europe in 2012.
'Wrecking Ball' is available for pre-order now on Amazon and iTunes.

"We Take Care of Our Own" is available now as a digital single and can be previewed here.

Springsteen's "So Fucking Cool!!"

2012-01-11T07:06:00.007-05:00

When Bruce walked onto that stage in Pittsburgh, alone with his guitar... I knew it was going to be a very special night. Bruce looked good... wearing a light beige long sleeved shirt I could see that he had shed a few pounds and was looking very fit. For total accuracy, I'll need to add the word handsome in here somewhere, along with very!! I couldn't wait to hear his song selection... what would he delight us with this fine evening? For You! Oh my... Bruce began our night with For You... "Wounded deep in battle, I stood stuffed like some soldier undaunted, to her Cheshire smile. I'd stand on file, she's all I ever wanted..." He did it again! Hook, Line, and Sinker!! I was caught in his trap... and lost in a cool cool world of the sweet sound of one voice. Once he gathered us together with For You he took us to the Land of Hope & Dreams... on that train where "dreams will not be thwarted and faith will be rewarded!" What a wonderful song... of hope! With just two songs the room was filled with redemption... we were gonna be alright!! One more song... to complete what I will call our Pittsburgh Trilogy! And just one verse into that song... as if she were reading our minds, a voice yells out to Bruce... clear and true, "YOU'RE SO FUCKING COOL!!" His response? With an adorable grin, "I'll work for your love, dear... I'll work for your love... what others may want for free... I'll work for your love!" You probably would have had to have been there to understand just how cool that night in Pittsburgh was... if it were 1980, but this was 2011... NOV 3... 2011 and BlackLab was there to capture the COOL!!

Please support BlackLab's efforts to get to the shows!!! :) My PSA for today!!

Let Your Little Light Shine!

2011-12-18T13:14:00.013-05:00

You are special... there is only one person in all the world who can be you... though some may try there is only one you... and no one can be you better than you!! Everything that you need in order be you is already inside of you... so let it out!! No one can do what you were created to do better than you can do what you were created to do.

That special thing that you were created to do is more important than what happened to you that keeps you from doing what you are meant to do. We need you to be you... So be you... like no other can!!

“You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

~ Matthew 5:14-16

Workin' on the (InterNet)Highway

2011-12-16T12:26:00.016-05:00

I've chatted with a few friends... bounced around a few ideas

on how to earn some extra money for the new tour...

Check out Earn Big Cash Daily for some ideas!!

"Merry Christmas" - American Slang

2011-12-16T07:15:00.013-05:00

A nice little Christmas treat
from our BOSS and The Gaslight Anthem!!

Asbury Park Convention Hall - December 9, 2011

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!!

2011-12-12T21:10:00.011-05:00

Italy Set to Rock!!

2011-11-22T09:56:00.004-05:00

It's 'OFFICIAL": 7, 10 and June 11!

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN BACK IN ITALY

http://www.barleyarts.com/

(Translated to English)

After yesterday's announcement of the first concerts in Great Britain, and after a long night on Facebook, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND-comes the expectation of confirmation tour in Italy in the summer of 2012: there are 3 appointments, June 7 at the Stadio Meazza in Milan on 10 at the Stadio Franchi in Florence, 11 Stadium Nereo Rocco Trieste.

Tickets for three concerts, organized by Claudio Trotta of Barley Arts, will be available in two different moments: In fact, the presale for the show Sansiro will open Thursday, November 24 at 16.00, only at Ticketone.it and the following day in stores in the area. With the same dynamics but from Thursday 1st December will sale tickets for the concerts in Florence and Trieste. It will be possible to purchase four tickets maximum per transaction. Bruce Springsteen returns to play at San Siro Stadium four years after the June 25, 2008, when a concert nothing short of legendary, with a surprise ending in front of 60 thousand screaming fans, he followed up on complaints and prosecutions of the promoter Claudio Trotta, who last July was finally acquitted from any charge of having disturbed the public peace because of the Milanese Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, acclaimed by the audience Sansiro to, he answered with 22 minutes of a 'too. " In 2009 Bruce returned to Italy and then always with the E Street Band to play in Turin, Rome and Udine. Now the confirmation of the tour that will see Bruce Springsteen perform in Milan, Florence and Trieste, is greeted with particular satisfaction by declaring Trotta "I thank you for your cooperation, the Mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi and the Mayor of Trieste Roberto Cosolini, along with Alderman Productive activities of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Federica Seganti, who from the first moment they set out with the full cooperation and active desire to bring their citizens an event of this magnitude. " These ticket prices for the third concert tour in 2012: THURSDAY 'June 7 - MILAN, Stadio Meazza I ° ring Red numbered: € 90 II red ring Numbered: € 75 I ° ring Blue and Green num: € 60 II Ring Blue and Green Meadow num € 50 € 45 III single seat ring is not num € 35 + Sunday, June 10 - Florence, Stadio Franchi Tribune covered Grandstand covered num € 90 num side € 75 € 50 unique place Prato Marathon Stairways not num num € 60 not € Curve Rail 35 + MONDAY 'June 11 - TRIESTE, Stadio Nereo Rocco Tribune Pasini and Colaussi Central Tribune Pasini and numbered € 90 € 75 Colaussi numbered side? Lawn unique place € 55 € 50 + num curve Furlan advance www.brucespringsteen.net

A special THANK YOU to all the wonderful Italian fans!!!

Where Is He Tonight!!

Announcing The Announcement is Coming!

2011-11-20T21:31:00.018-05:00

From BruceSpringsteen.net

"Well, things are starting to heat up down on E Street.

A lot of you have been hearing that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be on tour in 2012. That is absolutely correct. The European dates run from the middle of May until end of July and are being announced this week. Info on the US dates and the World tour dates will coming up shortly.

In addition, we want you to know that the music is almost done (but still untitled), we have almost settled on the release date (but not quite yet), and that we are all incredibly excited about everything that we're planning for 2012. That's all the info we have for right now, but we'll get back to you--real soon."

Where Is He Tonight?!!

(Follow this link for a list of Official Tour Dates)

Bruce Stands Up For Our Heroes

2011-11-12T05:57:00.005-05:00

A SOLDIER'S JOURNEY

video platform video management video solutions video player

How U.S. Marine Lieutenant Andrew Kinard overcame the pain...

Thank you, Andrew...

Thank you, estreeter4life !!!

Thank you, MrNachobreath

Thank you, Bruce!

The Spirit of God in Bruce's Music

2011-10-23T16:17:00.020-04:00

This last week I was blessed with the opportunity to listen to a good friend of Bruce's, who happens to be a priest in New Jersey, speak about the Spirit of God in Bruce's music... it was at Saint Barnabas in Bayville... where Father Kevin J. Keelen presented:

“The Spirituality of Bruce Springsteen – An Evening of Rock & Roll Reflection”

Joking, on our way into the Church, I commented that I hoped the walls wouldn't fall in on me... having been thrown out of the last church I attended, Rachel, who was visiting from Holland, chuckled... commenting that she was committing "sin" by entering in... being Jewish and all. The walls were sure to crumble in on us! But I think Helene was/is Catholic, so her God had our backs! It was a wonderful "service" and a lovely session, filled with Spirit & Light... and Bruce's music. The reflections shared totally captured the heart of not only the Catholic Social Teachings but the heart of a man who understands the spirit of a loving God rather than a man who merely talks his faith without walking it.

- Father Keelen focused upon the Paschal Mystery and theology behind two of Springsteen’s albums, “The Ghost of Tom Joad” (1995) and “The Rising” (2002).

“Bruce is a Catholic and deeply spiritual; his music reflects a lot of Catholic social teaching,”

"It's not as much about Bruce (no offense) as about his art... not so much the person but about what he's created."

Many times Bruce's fans have question Bruce's spirituality... and I've wondered if they could be right. Is it all lip service? Is it just religious imagery used as a stage prop... or is Bruce the man that I see in his music... and in his eyes? Rather than try to summarize... you can listen to Father Kevin's reflections and decide for yourself.

After meeting Bruce's friend and priest... basking in his smile as he chatted with my friends... knowing that this is the type of man that Bruce discusses God with... and then spending a few minutes chatting with Mrs. Springsteen... who is as dear and kind as her sweet son... and just as adorable! I am sure and very happy to know (in my heart) that Bruce Springsteen is the real deal.

Join the Fight and Donate

2011-09-22T07:15:00.016-04:00

Thanks to Lawrence Kirsch...

TERRY FOX & THE TERRY FOX FOUNDATION

"Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, BC, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast. An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee in 1977.

While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

He would call his journey the Marathon of Hope.
It was a journey that Canadians never forgot.

After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometres (3,107 miles) to prepare, Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with little fanfare. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran close to 42 kilometres (26 miles) a day through Canada's Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age 22.

The heroic Canadian was gone, but his legacy was just beginning.

To date, over $550 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world."

This years For You book raffle is dedicated to the memory of

Terry Fox's mother Mrs. Betty Fox,
and to Clarence Clemons

A Note from Lawrence:

Give today and Help Us Make a Difference.

"If I had to sum up this book in one word it would be 'beautiful.' This book is without a doubt for 'real fans.' ... The stories are short, long, happy, sad, joyous, excited, funny and, above all, heartfelt." ~ Rumble Doll - UK
"For You is a much-needed fresh breath in the Bruce bibliography and essential to any serious fan." ~ Karsten S. Andersen: Greasylake.org - Denmark

"If you are any kind of a Springsteen fan, you need this book! The first story brought me to tears it was so moving and so well written." ~ Steven Delmar - Edison New Jersey

"For You is one of the most important books ever to trace the career of Bruce Springsteen. Compiled by Lawrence Kirsch, the book features the words and photos of Springsteen fans from all over the world. The majority of the photos have never been published before, and are nothing short of amazing." ~ Tom Cunningham: The Bruce Brunch 105.7 The Hawk

"In reading For You, at first it's hard to believe that one performer could possibly have touched this many people this deeply - lifted them from depression, kept them from suicide, helped them through divorce or the death of a parent, or worse, a child. But story after story reveals just how much Springsteen's music and his almost superhuman presence on the concert stage have penetrated people's lives and, in as much as it is possible for music to do so, made them whole. In fact, there's a running theme of these reminiscences, one that is sure to warm any Bruce fan's heart: that you are not crazy. Not crazy for seeing dozens or even hundreds of concerts; not crazy for feeling that Springsteen's songs and lyrics have actually helped carry you through some of life's toughest moments; not crazy to think that this man whom you've never met has and continues to fill some kind of void in your life." ~ Peter Chianca: Blogness...

Each $10 ticket you purchase gives you one chance to win and a $15 ticket gives you three chances to win the book. The contest is open to everyone and tickets can be bought from September 15 to October 2, 2010. Tickets can be purchased at thelightindarkness.com and foryoubruce.com, where the winner will be announced October 6, 2010.

It's The Little Things... My Baby Does

2011-09-12T20:12:00.006-04:00

It was about a year ago... the Darkness Box Set was just about to hit the stands when it leaked into my hands. Yes, I listened... unable to resist The Promise... and I fell in love with it. Soon after, I found myself face to face with Bruce as he shared his excitement of the upcoming release!! He specifically mentioned The Promise CD and how he couldn't wait for "you guys" to hear it as it was 20-some songs that we had never heard. I teased him, assuring him that we had already heard them... and he added "finished!" We laughed and I said, "Oh." adding that "I just love The Little Things My Baby Does" and he said that it was Stevie's favorite... he then added, "It's a wonderful song." and I agreed that it is.

Atlantic City Blues

2011-09-06T19:23:00.006-04:00

I've been watching Nick's you-tubes for a few years now... he plays such a sweet guitar. Well recently, he and his band played one of my favorite Bruce tunes, and pretty near stole it!
Anyhow, I need to share it with you... so without further ado:

Nick Swan & The Lost Highwaymen: Atlantic City :)

"He loved me like I didn't believe a man could."

2011-08-04T18:02:00.005-04:00

He walked into the restaurant and said:

"Thank you for brining beauty into my day" and handed me a flower.
These were the very first words my dear husband spoke to me.
He was the one who brought beauty into my life
and lives of so many people all over the world.....

He brought strength, willpower and wisdom.
He spoke a universal language that people all over the world understood.
When he made a promise to me he made a promise to God.
He loved with all his heart and a kind word.

He made us laugh and made us cry.
Despite of his status he didn't realize what a special human being he was.

Whenever I felt down he would ask me if he did something wrong.
I would look at him and say you have been loving me and taking care of me,
that is all you have done. He would smile.

He would say "If you ever stop loving me, please tell me."
I would reply: "You tell me if you stop loving me."
Behind his powerful frame there was a 16-year-old boy
asking a girl to go on a date. And we did.
The date turned into a love story that I will never be able to describe
to anyone who wasn't a part of it. Thank you for being part of it.

My husband enriched my life enormously by sharing his family and friends.
I am paying a tribute to my dear husband in my heart.
He loved me like I didn't believe a man could.
I'll cherish my memories of our life together --
the struggles we have been through, the laughs we had
and the world we created where our dedication to each other had no boundaries....

I will never stop loving you...

Victoria Clemons

HIGHER AND HIGHER

2011-07-07T20:39:00.010-04:00

by Corrado Gambi, Riccardo de Gennaro & Angelo Todeschi

HIGHER AND HIGHER

There is a sense of gratitude in having this chance to share thoughts, feelings, sorrows... And life... Our lives...

These days we are carrying this “double-way sense”...
On one hand, an enormous feeling of emptiness towards something which is over...
On the other hand, gratitude for having taken part of something extraordinary,
unique, unparalleled so far...

Things might get to an end... Lives get to their end...

But there is something which outlives all our lives and this...

this is all our emotions, dreams, personal stories, loving feelings, passions...

These are our own lives, through and through...

They are so much ours that we end up mixing them, almost melting them, with those of our songs’ heroes... We have crossed this shadow line to the point it’s now hard to get back and understand what is real and what is not... what it’s about is dreaming... We grew up with this whole thing and we have been building our future full of ideals, principles, landmarks, and yet so many doubts and fears... With this music and through this music’s lyrics... We had the great opportunity to travel, to meet so many people, to find each other and share pieces of ourselves,
thanks to – let’s say in this way -

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E-STREET BAND!

This whole thing has never been just about “rock’n’roll”, although it was great to focus on that all those nights we spent jumping and shouting all our joy...

We have been shaped by this whole thing and we’ll keep carrying it in our souls forever...
until the end... really until the end!

Today we are overwhelmed by this pain, feeling colder inside, with our faces bathed with tears, wondering “and now?”... But, we can look back and find a greater smile ready to embrace us all and filled with gratitude... Gratitude for our friends, companions, loved ones, miles, venues, highways, airports, banners, sleepless nights, queues, roll calls, stories...

We will always be thankful for having had the chance of growing up with all these things, for having looked into our childhood myths’ eyes... For having touched the sky many... oh so many times...

Nothing is taken away from us today, nothing... because all these things belong to us... to all of us...
and we all have far enough emotions to let the LEGENDARY E- STREET BAND shine forever!
It’s the best present we have been receiving
and we returned it with all the intensity and honesty we could.

Honesty...

It was honesty we staked on, with ourselves even before than with the others.

When we listened for the very first time to Born To Run, or Thunder Road, or Racing In the Street, or Candy’s Room, or Hungry Heart or any other song which we started this long and passionate love connection – as it is love what we are taking about –
with “BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E-STREET BAND”,
we wondered about and staked on the honesty of our heart, pure, obviously vulnerable,
yet mold-able by all those things that first promise granted us the access to.
We all had to face sacrifices, both physical and economic, emotional and of conscience,
to respect the honesty of that promise.

Now we’re exhausted, tired out by the painful thoughts we had to cope with during these last days and stunned, but also supported by the certitude that this enormous inheritance,
even more when time will have shaped it in its real consistence,
will keep being an extraordinary spur to fulfil our life with.

Perhaps we are, thanks to Bruce and many of the people his music allowed us to meet,
much better persons than what we would be without this incomparable emotion.

We have made mistakes, we fell, we cried and we have been late.

But we also laughed, loved (very much and for real) and jumped a little higher.

Higher than what? Who knows!?... but it was higher... really higher...

A big hug, blood brothers and sisters all over the world, long time companions of this thrilling and wonderful journey... “a really good companion for this part of the ride”... the best one...

My Farewell to Clarence

2011-06-22T19:45:00.002-04:00

"Farewell, Clarence... and thank you!"

Clarence Clemons ~ Sunshine In Your Smile

2011-06-19T16:02:00.005-04:00

There are days in our lives when the sun doesn't shine so bright...

The tears, like rain, pour down
making it hard to see or feel the rays of warmth that the sunshine brings...

Posted on BruceSpringsteen.net:

"It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that at 7:00 tonight, Saturday, June 18, our beloved friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away. The cause was complications from his stroke of last Sunday, June 12th.

Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."

~~~

During these times in life when... well I'll let Clarence say it: "things happen that you don't understand that make you sad, make you very unhappy and uneasy. I want you to know that the universe loves you... I love you... Be happy!"

I sent this "Get Well" video to Clarence just a few hours before he left us. :(

"May your positive energy live on in our hearts forever." ♥♥

Angel Eyes

2011-05-28T21:36:00.008-04:00

Merry "Blue" Christmas

2010-12-23T14:07:00.004-05:00

May ALL your Dreams comes true!

The Return of The Jersey Devil

2010-10-31T15:16:00.004-04:00

Tales from The E STREET CRYPT:
THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING BOSS

Happy Haunted House Halloween!!

Lucky Town

2010-09-28T17:11:00.004-04:00

Regrets? I don't have many...
but the ones I have are real humdingers!!

1. I wouldn't have missed the 90's with Bruce!! This was by far my favorite "Bruce LOOK" and I really liked the "other" band! Although I didn't get a chance to hear Lucky Town, Human Touch, The Ghost of Tom Joad or any of Tracks till after The Rising came out, Lucky Town will always hold a very special place in my heart!! Why?

1. It doesn't snow in Lucky Town!!
(Winters in Ohio are a bitch!)

2. I built GREAT memories while living there!!
It was so close to Los Angeles! And Bruce was playing LA!! (1981-1985)
I was getting a little of that Human Touch & I got Living Proof x2! (1991-1994)

3. I just LOVE that look!! :D
(go ahead and watch it again!!)

Bruce once said that people don't listen to the music to learn about the artist but they listen to learn about themselves! That is so true. It's not about Bruce... it's about me! My site is not about Bruce at all! It is my place to escape into the music and I'm glad to know that you go there, too!! My blog is not a Bruce info center, though I do try to know what's up... it's about MY heart and about how a song or show made me feel. I can not read Bruce's mind nor can I say what he was thinking when he penned a tune... but I can tell you what my heart hears when I listen to it... and what it means to me! Hope you can groove on that!

Oh and yes, I was a blackjack dealer!! :)

Happy Birthday Bruce!

2010-09-23T23:09:00.004-04:00

Thank YOU for taking me with you...
Till The End on the Backstreets!

Michael Israel "Paints" Born To Run

2010-09-19T20:13:00.006-04:00

It was a few years ago... On Oct 13, 2007 when Max hosted
A Benefit for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals...

Michael Israel dazzled fans with his "paintings"

I'm so glad that Bruce was there... to enjoy this work of art!!

A special Thank YOU to Michael Brazinski for shooting and sharing the video!!

Into The Fire

2010-09-11T10:05:00.004-04:00

When LOVE and DUTY calls you someplace higher...

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love bring us love...

Save My Love ~ FOR YOU

2010-09-07T17:59:00.005-04:00

The Promise begins!!

With a rose...

Top News to Top Hit?

2010-09-03T13:29:00.007-04:00

BECOMES

And is now available for download on itunes...

Is that crazy or what?

Click here for more from "The Gregory Brothers"

The Promise - Save My Love (FOR YOU)

2010-08-26T20:57:00.003-04:00

Wow... I have to admit I was about to lose interest in The Darkness Box Set being released...
that is until I read this on Bruce's official site !!
What an incredibly sweet surprise...

COLUMBIA RECORDS TO RELEASE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S 'THE PROMISE: THE DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN STORY' NOV. 16

BOX SET INCLUDES 3CD/3DVD PACKAGE OF REMASTERED ALBUM, NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN STUDIO & LIVE FOOTAGE, 80-PAGE NOTEBOOK, 21 PREVIOUSLY-UNRELEASED SONGS, AND AN EXTRAORDINARY DOCUMENTARY FILM THAT WILL DEBUT AT THE TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL SEPT. 14 AND ON HBO OCT 7

PACKAGE FEATURES NEARLY SIX HOURS OF FOOTAGE, INCLUDING CLASSIC 1978 HOUSTON PERFORMANCE, AND MORE THAN TWO HOURS OF AUDIO

COLUMBIA TO SIMULTANEOUSLY RELEASE 'THE PROMISE' DOUBLE CD COMPLETE SONGS FROM DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN'S LOST SESSIONS

Columbia Records will release Bruce Springsteen's 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' on Nov 16. The Deluxe Package comprises over six hours of film and more than two hours of audio across 3 CDs and 3 DVDs. The media contents are packaged within an 80-page notebook containing facsimiles from Springsteen's original notebooks from the recording sessions, which include alternate lyrics, song ideas, recording details, and personal notes in addition to a new essay by Springsteen and never-before-seen photographs. Containing a wealth of previously unreleased material, 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' offers an unprecedented look into Springsteen's creative process during a defining moment in his career. 'The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story' will additionally be released as a 3CD/3 Blu Ray disc set.

The set will be available as 'The Promise,' an edition which consists of only the unheard complete songs on two CDs or four LPs, along with lyrics and the new essay by Springsteen.

The previously unheard song "Save My Love" and an excerpt from the documentary is streaming below.

The Deluxe Package includes 'Darkness on the Edge of Town,' digitally remastered for the first time.

Pre-order 'The Promise': 2-CD set | Package with 3CDs/3DVDs or Blu-Ray, with t-shirt and poster

CD 1: REMASTERED 'DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN'
1. Badlands
2. Adam Raised A Cain
3. Something In The Night
4. Candy's Room
5. Racing In The Street
6. The Promised Land
7. Factory
8. Streets Of Fire
9. Prove It All Night
10. Darkness On The Edge Of Town

"'Darkness' was my 'samurai' record," Springsteen writes, "stripped to the frame and ready to rumble...But the music that got left behind was substantial." For the first time, fans will have access to two discs containing a total of 21 previously-unreleased songs from the 'Darkness' recording sessions, songs that, as Springsteen writes, "perhaps could have/should have been released after 'Born To Run' and before the collection of songs that 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' became."

Highlights include the extraordinary rock version of "Racing in the Street," the never-before-released original recordings of "Because the Night," "Fire," and "Rendezvous," the supreme pop opus "Someday (We'll Be Together)," the hilarious "Ain't Good Enough for You," the superb soul-based vocal performance on "The Brokenhearted," the utterly haunting "Breakaway," and the fully orchestrated masterpiece and title song "The Promise." All 21 songs have been mixed by Springsteen's long-time collaborator Bob Clearmountain. According to long-time manager/producer Jon Landau, "There isn't a weak card in this deck. 'The Promise' is simply a great listening experience."

CD 2: THE PROMISE (DISC 1)
1. Racing In The Street ('78)
2. Gotta Get That Feeling
3. Outside Looking In
4. Someday (We'll Be Together)
5. One Way Street
6. Because The Night
7. Wrong Side Of The Street
8. The Brokenhearted
9. Rendezvous
10. Candy's Boy

CD 3: THE PROMISE (DISC 2)
1. Save My Love
2. Ain't Good Enough For You
3. Fire
4. Spanish Eyes
5. It's A Shame
6. Come On (Let's Go Tonight)
7. Talk To Me
8. The Little Things (My Baby Does)
9. Breakaway
10. The Promise
11. City Of Night

The Deluxe Package also features "The Promise: The Making of 'Darkness on the Edge of Town,'" a documentary directed by Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny. The ninety-minute film combines never-before-seen footage of Springsteen and the E Street Band shot between 1976 and 1978--including home rehearsals and studio sessions--with new interviews with Springsteen, E Street Band members, manager Jon Landau, former-manager Mike Appel, and others closely involved in the making of the record. Advanced word on the documentary is so strong that it was invited to debut at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival on September 14 and will make its television debut on HBO on October 7.

DVD 1: "THE PROMISE: THE MAKING OF 'DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN'"

In addition, the set features more than four hours of live concert film from the Thrill Hill Vault, including the bootleg house cut (the footage that appeared on-screen at the concert) from a 1978 Houston show, and a 2009 performance of 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' in its entirety from Asbury Park. The special performance in Asbury Park was shot in HD without an audience and successfully recreates the stark atmosphere of the original album.

DVD 2: DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (PARAMOUNT THEATER, ASBURY PARK, NJ, 2009)
1. Badlands
2. Adam Raised A Cain
3. Something In The Night
4. Candy's Room
5. Racing In The Street
6. The Promised Land
7. Factory
8. Streets Of Fire
9. Prove It All Night
10. Darkness On The Edge Of Town

THRILL HILL VAULT (1976-1978)
1. Save My Love (Holmdel, NJ 76)
2. Candy's Boy (Holmdel, NJ 76)
3. Something In The Night (Red Bank, NJ 76)
4. Don't Look Back (NYC 78)
5. Ain't Good Enough For You (NYC 78)
6. The Promise (NYC 78)
7. Candy's Room Demo (NYC 78)
8. Badlands (Phoenix 78)
9. The Promised Land (Phoenix 78)
10. Prove It All Night (Phoenix 78)
11. Born To Run (Phoenix 78)
12. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) (Phoenix 78)

DVD 3: HOUSTON '78 BOOTLEG: HOUSE CUT
1. Badlands
2. Streets Of Fire
3. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City
4. Darkness On The Edge Of Town
5. Spirit In The Night
6. Independence Day
7. The Promised Land
8. Prove It All Night
9. Racing In The Street
10. Thunder Road
11. Jungleland
12. The Ties That Bind
13. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
14. The Fever
15. Fire
16. Candy's Room
17. Because The Night
18. Point Blank
19. She's The One
20. Backstreets
21. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
22. Born To Run
23. Detroit Medley
24. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
25. You Can't Sit Down
26. Quarter To Three

See below for an exclusive sneak peak at the "Darkness At The Edge Of Town Story" video content as well as a first-listen of a song from "The Promise".

I've always loved that Bruce/Stevie vocal blend! 8)

I can't get over the list of old (new) songs... songs that I've not heard before!! I just can't wait! I'm gonna pre-order!! Right under the clip of The Making of Darkness Preview (on Bruce's site) you'll find the sweetest surprise... a live stream to SAVE MY LOVE. It's beautiful!

Now There's Something Coming Through The Air

That Softly Reminds Me
Tonight I'll Park Out On The Hill
And Wait Until They Find Me

You Slip In Through the Ether
A Voice Is Coming Through
So Keep Me In Your Heart
Tonight, and I'll Save My Love FOR YOU

So Turn Up Your Radio, and Darling
Dial Me In Close
Were Riding On The Airwaves
And We're Traveling Coast to Coast

Over River and Highway
Your Voice Comes Clear and True
And Though We're Far Apart
Tonight I'll Save My Love FOR YOU

Hold Me In Your Arms
And Our Doubts Won't Break Us
If We Open Up Our Hearts
Love Won't Forsake Us
Just Let The Music Take Us
And Carry On Strong

There's a Prayer Coming Through The Air
And It's Shot Straight Through My Heart
It's Tearing Open The Evening Sky
And It's Tearing Me Apart

Now I'll Ride That Signal Down the Line
Till I'm Home Again With You
So Turn Up Your Radio
And I'll Save My Love FOR YOU
Turn Up Your Radio
And I'll Save My Love FOR YOU ♥

Sunshine In Your Smile

2010-08-17T09:21:00.002-04:00

My smile got a little brighter when I found this sweet clip of
Clarence Clemons @ B.B. King's in NYC...
August 4th... and he's looking really good!!

Clarence posted this on Facebook yesterday:

"I'm looking forward to another great nite performing with Steve Smith and the Nakeds,
this Thursday Aug 19th at Twin Rivers Casino, Rhode Island!"

Wish I had a helicopter!

Beast of Burden

2010-07-24T15:12:00.007-04:00

What a nice surprise for Alejandro and his fans last night at The Stone Pony... "Beast of Burden" showed up... and though he promises to not be... missing Bruce do this Stones' gem is great vexation of soul aka Beast of Burden!!

Max's Big Band!!

2010-06-26T22:07:00.008-04:00

I've been hearing really good thing about Max's Big Band show...
and since I've always LOVED "Big Band" I'm gonna catch a show!!
I can't give ya a review yet but I'll share some videos that I "borrowed!"

Doesn't Max look GREAT?! It's good to see him so happy!!
Here's their schedule: hope you pick a show and go!!

THE MAX WEINBERG BIG BAND

Max's new 15-piece combo!

June 11	Count Basie Theatre	Red Bank, NJ
June 13	Mohegan Sun (Wolf Den)	Uncasville, CT
June 14	World Cafe Live	Philadelphia, PA
June 15	Regatta Bar	Cambridge, MA
June 16	Mauch Chunk Opera House	Jim Thorpe, PA
June 17	Avalon	Easton, MD
June 21	Space	Evanston, IL
June 22	Majestic	Madison, WI
June 23	Confederation Park - Ottawa Jazz Festival	Ottawa, ON
June 25	Hyatt	Newport Beach, CA
June 27	Yoshi's	San Francisco, CA
June 28	Mystic	Petaluma, CA
July 13	Common Ground Festival	Lansing, MI
July 14	Dakota	Minneapolis, MN
Oct 8	Center for the Arts	Buffalo, NY
Nov 6	Performing Arts Center	South Orange, NJ

Looks like it's back to Buffalo for me...

Bruce Cuts Like a Knife

2010-05-25T07:28:00.012-04:00

You have to love the way Bruce takes time off! To some that would mean vacationing in the Bahamas... but to Bruce it just means a looser schedule... which means surprises and more surprises. My Top 3? I'm so glad you asked!!

Cuts Like a KNIFE... but it feels so right!

Bruce stole this song... and it will never ever belong to Bryan again.

2. Was the adorable performance with Danny DeVito at the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

1. At The Gateway Benefit... this beautiful dedication to his "lovely wife" !!

Saving Lives in May ~ For Danny

2010-05-05T08:41:00.006-04:00

To help save lives

Click on "VOTE for this idea" EVERY DAY OF MAY

Helping Hearts FOR YOU

2010-05-02T10:57:00.016-04:00

Hearts are smiling this morning

thanks to Lawerce Kirsch's desire to help!!

"Win A Brand New Signed Copy of: For You: Original Stories and Photographs by Bruce Springsteen's Legendary Fans"

"Bruce Springsteen represents a great deal to his fans, not only as a world-renowned artist, but as a giving and caring person, someone who stands out by helping and donating to many charitable organizations over the years.

Today I am asking for your help to raise money for a great cause: The Montreal Heart Institute, a cutting-edge cardiology center dedicated to education and prevention of heart disease.

As you may know, the limited edition For You has been sold out since December 2008. This spring, I'm offering a chance to win a new signed copy of the book while contributing to the Montreal Heart Foundation's 2010 fundraising drive." ~ Lawrence Kirsch

Give today and enter the For You giveaway!

Hurry... entries will only be accepted through May 31st!
Take a chance... help a heart... win FOR YOU!

(winner will be announced June 4, 2010.)

Max & Jay: The Dynamic Duo!

2010-04-06T21:16:00.004-04:00

These two need no intro!! Wow... and I LOVE JAZZ!!

Jay & Jazz... I can't stop smiling!! :D

The Light In Darkness

2010-04-05T09:03:00.003-04:00

My copy should be here any day now!!

I'm so looking forward to it's arrival!!

Hopefully it will be followed by the loooong awaited:

Darkness 30-something Anniversary Box Set!! :D

ANY DAY NOW?!!!

If you haven't ordered yours yet, you may want to do that soon!!

Check it out!

thelightinDarkness.com:
Discover the New Bruce Springsteen Book

All I'm Thinkin Bout is Spring-steen!

2010-03-20T11:16:00.010-04:00

"Blind man wavin' by the side of the road
I'm in a flat bed Ford carrying a heavy load
With a sweet thing sippin' on a blueberry wine
On a flat black highway down in Carolina
Black bird slippin' in a sky of blue
All I'm thinkin' about is you, baby

Little boy carryin' a fishin' pole
Little girl pickin' berries straight off of the vine
Brown bag filled with a little green toad
We hook 'em through the lip

and throw 'em off of the line
Your sweet brown legs got me feeling so blue
All I'm thinkin' about is you, baby"

"Ain't nothin' in this world I can do about it
All I'm thinkin' about is you"

What a vivid picture Bruce paints! I can't wait to see what's next!!!
Do you remember when that was new? It's been 5 years already!

I don't know about you... but I am so excited that Spring is finally here... and with it I am hoping (like so many) that the rumors we were hearing will be true!! Which rumors are those? The ones that said that we will be hearing SOMETHING in the Spring, of course!! Spring is definitely my favorite time of year... but one thing could make it better:

STEEN!!!

No Retreat No Surrender

2010-03-18T06:37:00.007-04:00

I once read that if we were to all throw our troubles into a pile in the middle of us... as to trade troubles... so all could see everyone else's issues... we would chose to take our own back. I found that interesting... and probably true. There's no time in life to feel sorry for yourself... shit happens... get over it! Though not as callus as that... that is basically the message I get from this song... but there is also the need to get back in touch with those who you are bound to... to "hear your sister's voice callin' us home..." the sister song being The Ties That Bind... calling us home. "You can't break the ties that bind..." and as always I seem to follow the simplistic human perspective into the spiritual and feel that the promise of "no retreat no surrender" was made at the beginning of time... and lives from This Life into the next... and though sometimes we lose our connection... and unconsciously lose touch with that special person/people/soul(s)... "we made a promise we swore we'd always remember." The promise is to "remember"... so even if you break that promise and forget... you can't break the ties that bind!! Whether it's spiritual or physical... 10 years or 10,000... pull it together... "No retreat, Baby, no surrender!!"

Jesus Was An Only Son?

2010-03-10T08:08:00.013-05:00

Do I believe in Jesus? Well, I do have a pretty good reason to believe. Do you remember the things that I recently told you about the time I was held captive... with a noose tied around my neck... in Las Vegas? Thou it seemed like I always believed in God, it was that night in Las Vegas that God proved his love to me... as Patrick began to cut my friend's neck I prayed, "Oh God, I'm not asking to live... I know that I'm dead... but please forgive me so I can come to heaven... I just want to see Jesus... I just want to see Jesus." And as I finished the last prayer that I thought I would ever pray I looked up to see Jesus. My "vision" comforted me and told me not to be afraid. I'm really not sure what Patrick saw but as he took the knife from my friend's neck he said to her, "I can't kill you, cause I can't kill Gina." He then made us vow to not tell before leaving... but he let us live. The "professionals" have said that people who have major trauma need to believe in God and/or miraculous intervention to cope... and believing has helped me "cope"... but how can you doubt what you know that you know? Well I do it all the time! Doubt that it... but in my heart I hold on to my faith in my "saver." As time passed I read the Bible from start to finish as if it were a completed novel... when I finished I started again till I had read it totally through well over 25 times... from beginning to end. The old testament was so interesting... 4,000 years of family stories... from Adam to Abraham alone was filled with real life pains... many worse than my own... it was very interesting... and sad. Rape... incest... murder... adultery... I'll try to give you a "shortened" version. lol and get to my point. :) So Abe leaves home to follow his God... he has two sons, Isaac and Ishmael... (whose decedents later become enemies.) We'll follow Isaac... who has 2 sons: Esau and Jacob. From the womb Jacob was a thief and con man who steals the birthright and blessing from his elder brother... wrestles with God and demands God's blessing. Jacob works 7 years for the woman he loves only to be tricked into marrying her older sister, Leah (Karma?) but he loves Rachel and agrees to work another 7 years for her. Between the sisters and their maids, Jacob becomes the father of 12 sons... one of the sons, Joseph, is beaten by his brothers and sold as a slave to Egyptian traders. Because he interprets dreams, he becomes an advisor in Egypt eventually forgiving and saving his family from famine... and eventually relocates Jacob's family to Egypt... God has "renamed" Jacob to Israel... his sons will become the twelve tribes of Israel... many years pass and the children of Israel become great in number... to control them the Egyptian government enslaves them... and they begin to cry out for a deliverer. The story of Moses and The Ten Commandment! Believe it or not the movie is quite close to being biblically accurate. So Moses and his brother Aaron lead the children of Jacob/Israel out of bondage and into the desert... up to Mt. Sinai where Moses received the "tablets of stone" with the ten commandment written by the hand of God. God instructed Moses to build an ark to house and protect the stone tablets.

"Detailed instructions are given by God for the plan of the Ark: it is to be 2½ cubits in length, 1½ in breadth, and 1½ in height. Then it is to be plated entirely with gold, and a crown or molding of gold is to be put around it. Four rings of gold are to be put into its corners—two on each side—and through these rings staves of shittim-wood overlaid with gold for carrying the Ark are to be inserted; and these are not to be removed. A golden cover, adorned with golden cherubim, is to be placed above the Ark. The Ark is finally to be placed behind a veil, a full description of which is also given."

God gave detailed instructions as to how the ark was to be treated and where it would sit in the tent of worship... it was totally honored and one of the tribes was assigned to handle all the praise and worship duties... the Levites. I always loved the stories of King David... and his desire to build a temple... but it was almost 500 years after the Ark was built before King Solomon (King David & Bathsheba's son) built what was known as Solomon's Temple where the Ark of The Covennant was placed and reverenced for many years.

"In 586 BC, the Babylonians sieged Jerusalem and once captured, plundered and destroyed Solomon's Temple. Some historians suggest that the Ark was probably taken away by Nebuchadnezzar or perhaps destroyed in battle. Consequently, the rebuilt Second Temple did not house the Ark in its Holy of Holies room. According to the Book of Revelation, the Ark returns to the Temple in vision: "Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the Ark of his Covenant" (Rev. 11:19 NIV)."

So 600 years later... a baby is born... in Bethlehem. A bastard... but they can cover that up if Joseph is willing... and he is. He raises Jesus as his own... but only Mary knows the truth. You know the rest of the story. Did it really happen? Is it true? Was Jesus the one that scripture told us would come to "save the world?" Was it His BLOOD that paid the price?? And if so, who can prove it now... 2000 years later? Maybe if they found some of Jesus's blood and tested it... what would that prove? That he was half man half God? Okay... so forget about THAT. Let's get back to the Ark of The Covennant... something that is tangible... and provable! BUT WHERE is the Ark? You will never believe where they found it!! THIS IS AMAZING!! :o

You're Missing

2010-03-06T10:47:00.003-05:00

Shirts in the closet, shoes in the hall
Mama's in the kitchen, baby and all
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
But you're missing

Coffee cups on the counter, jackets on the chair
Papers on the doorstep, you're not there
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
But you're missing

Pictures on the nightstand, TV's on in the den
Your house is waiting, your house is waiting
For you to walk in, for you to walk in
But you're missing, you're missing
You're missing when I shut out the lights
You're missing when I close my eyes
You're missing when I see the sun rise
You're missing

Children are asking if it's alright
Will you be in our arms tonight?

Morning is morning, the evening falls I have
Too much room in my bed, too many phone calls
How's everything, everything?
Everything, everything
You're missing, you're missing

God's drifting in heaven, devil's in the mailbox
I got dust on my shoes, nothing but teardrops

~Bruce Springsteen

For You ~ Just For Me

2010-02-23T07:08:00.046-05:00

I believe that what is most important about a song is what it means to you... how it speaks to your soul... so much more so than what it is that the songwriter was thinking at the time that he penned it. I've been hesitant to share with you what For You means to me because it is so personal... but that is part of what makes it so special. It was 1978... I was just 18... a time in life when a girl should be thinking of her future... and the wonders that life could bring... but I was thinking of how I could get away from life... imagining where I could run to... to get away from the foulness of the this world. I had been so abused and beaten down... that my Chelsea had suicide (with no apparent motive). No apparent motive that is to those who weren't looking hard enough to see me. I was lost and alone... and after running from an abusive father I found that my life was about to end at the hands of a killer who luckily had a sudden change of heart and decided that he would let my friend and me live if we vowed our silence... we assured him that we wouldn't "tell" anyone. I broke that promise and became the sole witness testifying of his torture... in front of the jury... I looked into his face as I described how he had tied nooses around our necks so that if we tried to escape the ropes would tighten and choke us... of how he bragged throughout the night about the women he'd killed and scattered throughout the Nevada dessert... and of course of what he promised to do to us. He was indeed found guilty and sentence to 99 years... 3 counts x2... life in prison. I got many pats on the back that day... I had stopped a killer! At least momentarily... because that night after losing a game of chess to his cell mate (a young man who was in on a burglary charge) he got angry and killed him with his bare hands. Just a 20 year old kid in the wrong cell... at the wrong time... the murder was followed by a death sentence... and it didn't end there as he was able to get a hold of guns and took the prison hostage resulting in the death of 2 more inmates. He is still on death row... 30-some years later. But it wasn't HIS prison that I was living in... it was my own. I had been locked in a cell with fear... and imagined that ALL men were cruel... (which many have since proven to be...) but my soul longed for "true" love none the less... I can remember feeling so alone... it felt like no one understood. Broken and scared (and scarred) I was on my own... "Your strength is devastating in the face of all these odds... remember how I kept you waiting..." I don't think it was the waiting that was so hard on her... as it was the world and facing it alone. You truly do "have to learn to live with what you can't rise above." Yet, the man in this song somehow finds her... broken on the beach... he pours salt on her tongue... salt represents flavor... but it also represents the savior... the salt of the earth... her own personal Jesus... who came to the earth for her. By using salt her savior gives her back a thirst for life with the hope of salvation... she feels redemption in his love... but he doesn't get too close because he knows that she is injured and he doesn't want to make her run away again... (In her dream) he is a kind and gentle man... determined to protect her... which helps her to trust him... so she allows him close enough to put salt on her tongue... he gives her the flavor and then hangs just out of reach... making her "act" on her desires again. "Pull yourself up." his actions echo. "You were born with the power of a locomotive..." But that damn medal... that pride always gets in the way... but it was that very same medal... the pride in her strength (that was devastating) that gave her strength... then she finally realizes that there really never was any better reason than the one they were living for... and he's still there... much to her surprise... when everyone else had walked away and left her broken on the beach... her savior found her... I think the ironic part is when she finds that it was the man she ran from... the one she left behind due to her fear... not only the fear that he would hurt her but that she would hurt him... and bring him down... ruin his future... but he was the kind man she sought... that would have shown her the love that she so needed. What she didn't realize is that she was and is what he came for... he needed her as much as she needed him... and he was hurt too but he's not going to burden her with his pain nor ask her to lick his boo boo... cause it's about her... he's here for her. I'm not sure if he ever left... or if his heart waited for her... if he kept searching for her after she went to find a "better reason" than them... but even if he did leave for a time... he came back... with salt... and not for her beauty... or the sexy way (that she's stretched out on the floor). His motivation transcends the physical... he didn't come for her body... but for her soul... for the very essence of their being. FOR YOU became my "True Love Song"... the one that I could and would escape to... when I needed to believe that LOVE is real and that true love will not leave you nor forsake you... but it will find you when you are at your weakest it will not only give you back a thirst for life... it will remind you that you were born with the power of a locomotive... now get up and be devastatingly strong... for us.

One of my "all time" favorite movies also has the "I came for you" theme...

I love how KYLE came to protect Sarah from THE TERMINATOR!

"Happy" Valentine's Day?

2010-02-12T18:00:00.001-05:00

What or whom decides what it is that qualifies as having a "happy" Valentine's Day? Obviously not all of "us" have been as fortunate and blessed as Mr Springsteen & Ms Scialfa have been when it comes to love and finding that "one true" (soul) mate... Do you know the love that I'm talking about? It's the kind that has the strength to last through the storms of life... a love that remains even when passion seems to have not... and in it's place is a strong bond of friendship. The same one that completes with conviction it's vow in sickness and in health. Wow... that really sounds cool, but as idealistically sweet as it should be... the reality is that not all relationships stand the test of time... some do not weather life's storms... as some "mates" have lost their desire and have moved on... to find new "love"... some have hardened their hearts... to become loners... while yet others have learned to live with a broken heart. The lucky ones have gotten over love and just enjoy every breath that they are graced with!! So what does Valentine's Day mean to the broken hearted? Is it a day to forget... or a day to remind yourself to dream... and like Bruce sings, "keep searching till ya find, that special one." where two hearts are better than one? I think of the lyric, "my daddy said right before he died that true true love was just a lie." As much as I want to believe for a "starry eyed" love... I think "Daddy" was right... but I also think that it's wonderful when two people can believe the "lie" together... and be happy thinking that they are in love. See... not all lies are bad! Where ever you are in your "love walk"... I wish you blindness... and the ability to believe that love is true... and I wish you the kind of love that you need... the kind of love that you were searching for. As for me... I'm not really sure what LOVE is... or what it is supposed to feel like... so I shouldn't even be writing this... lol

What I do know is that Bruce's "LOVE" songs break my heart.

Couldn't be love... could it?

Princess of Little Italy

2010-02-07T15:44:00.003-05:00

Here's a blast from the past... :o

Wages of Sin

2010-02-04T17:31:00.007-05:00

An interesting and timely find... this song is... as punishment and karma have been on my mind a lot lately... though I don't usually really care to think of such things... I've come to the conclusion that I must have done something terrible in my last life... I must have been a mean person... or hurt someone very bad... and this life I'm doomed to feel the pain that I've caused... why else am I paying these wages of sin?

Thankfully we have Rock-n-Roll to set us free.

We Shall Overcome

2010-01-23T20:39:00.008-05:00

"A Small Prayer for Haiti"

Just fed my kids dinner... I cooked the food in the oven... they didn't like what I cooked... and wasted too much of it... I thought of the people in Haiti... I washed the dishes... the hot soapy water... made me think of the people in Haiti... It's so peaceful and comfy here in my "home"... the quiet makes me think of the people in Haiti... tonight... they need bandages and medicine... and water... blankets... and pillows... and water...

Click on the heart to give...

What Love Can Do for Haiti

2010-01-22T19:20:00.011-05:00

Tonight Hollywood will joins hearts and pockets together in hopes of helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti... While you watch the Hope for Haiti telethon tonight... please remember to do and to give what you can to help!

Haiti needs our help... so let's show them What Love Can Do!

I got a couple recommendations from friends of mine:

"Our law school classmate Kim was a Beyond Borders staff member living in a village in rural Haiti with a host family in 2007-2008. She saw PIH's work first hand there and highly recommended PIH to us for continuing Haiti donations. PIH has been working on the ground in Haiti for more than 20 years. Because of your donations, they have one more field hospital with 13 operating rooms up and running a/o this morning. They had electricity to this field hosp and operated all nite last nite for the first time since the quake." ~ Ruth

"If you are thinking of making a donation to an organization that is helping in Haiti, Partners in Health was suggested to me by another Bruce fan. Partners in Health is a rural health care organization in Haiti. It has about 10 hospitals outside Port au Prince. Their facilities are intact and operating. No, I have nothing to do with this organization. One of the founders of PIH was on the 60 Minutes segment on Haiti last night. If you watched that segment, it is probably indelibly burned into memory; it was horrific." ~ Karen

Here is the link if you would like to support their efforts: Partners in Health

Broken Radio @ Light of Day

2010-01-18T20:00:00.003-05:00

"The Angels love you more than you know..."

What a beautiful way to say, "We care."

Read about the 10th Anniversary Light of Day Benefit here!

A special "Thank you" to MagikRat for your wonderful videos!!

No Need ~ She's My Westside Angel

2009-12-16T13:15:00.009-05:00

Sometimes a thing so beautiful can be right there... under your nose... no not his lips... although they are lovely... but what I'm talking about is what came out of those lips in 1972... I only just recently heard this song for the first time... and I must say that I am quite smitten by No Need ~ She's My Westside Angel. It is filled with the most beautifully painful sentiments... of love... that it seems Bruce has an extreme grip on... as he pours out a potion potent enough for himself and his broken winged lover... "It's only her and my songs that keep me from going insane" I find the love that Bruce makes you feel real in these lyrics is so hard to believe in... and that's why this song is such a rare and wonderful find... because for a moment it makes my heart feel like it is too big for my chest... and the ache is so real that I can almost believe... at least until the song ends and I am back in 2009. "I just love that feeling of sadness... oh and it worries me so..." Anyhow... a big thank you to Twisty and Brad for turning me on to No Need ~ She's My Westside Angel. I may have a new "favorite" song!!

She's a broken winged angel
Refugee from things her mama knew
And she's done everything the Bible said not to do
Well I don't know if she believes in Jesus
The "good" book, or even Satan, you see
I'm just trying to get her to believe in me
Oh, 'cause when I see her face
No matter where I am I'm in the right place
And the girls I left behind
Oh, they never satisfied me, it's so true
But baby, baby, you do

She's the belle of Eighth Street
High society's midnight vamp
Oh, she's my queen and I'm her tramp
Yes she's a free falling flyer
And she flows whichever way that the wind blows
And she's the only woman I never knew
Who could teach me more about me, bind me in chains
And still let me be free

My heart swells up inside
Starts beating like I'm gonna die
And my body breaks in pain
As she falls down on me like the rain
It's only her and my songs that keep me from going insane
And I guess I'm one of those people
Who measures love in pain
You see, I never had too much personal success
And to me there's nothing sweeter
Than a teardrop of rain
I just love that feeling of sadness
Oh and it worries me so ...

She's my west side angel
She looks so funky in her hollywood wing
And she knows how I stumble when I talk
So she says, "Don't talk, babe, just sing"
And I have seen her body in candle glow
In the deep heart of the night
When you finally let loose of everything
Oh, and she loves me like such a good woman
And still, oh, she's just a sweet young thing
And I know this might sound crazy
Or just the words of a young fool
But I swear I'd be on the floor
And she ever walked out the door
I swear I'd wish that she would shoot me first
And I know that sounds insane but sometimes I believe it's true
And that's what scares me worst

'Cause I dance for her
Take any chance for her
And I play for her
Lord God knows I play for her
And I need for her
And I bleed for her

Download Mp3 here: No Need/She's My Westside Angel

The Wild & Innocent River

2009-11-25T13:12:00.034-05:00

With Born To Run announced for most of my remaining shows... I was thrilled! That meant that there were still at least 4 or 5 more chances of getting that "interlude" in Backstreets... not to mention... I LOVE She's The One... Thunder Road... and Meeting into Jungleland... who could complain?! Not I!! Andy (from California) and Rachel (Dutchie) were coming to my place and we were going to The Garden, Cleveland & Michigan together... we didn't care what they played... we just wanted to be there. Rachel had her ticket... but Andy and I were still searching. No album had been announced... and we were confident we'd get tickets... but then before we were able Bruce and Co. make the announcement... The Wild & Innocent, and The River!! How could he do that? I was so afraid that we'd never get tickets now! This was going to be my first time ever at Madison Square Garden and I was so excited... I had heard so many wonderful stories... I just had to be there. There were only a couple roadblocks. First... the tickets and second... I'd have to go through the tunnel to get there... the only other option was the George Washington Bridge. Which we decided to take on the way... but being my first time I was in the wrong lane and we got lost... sort of... and well... it didn't take THAT much longer to get there. I didn't think we were in that big of a rush anyway... since we all had seats... oh did I tell you we got tickets? Yes... an angel... who suddenly couldn't go to the show picked me to bless!! Talk about bittersweet... I cried for him... so sorry that he would miss the show... but so happy that we now had seats! We praised God (the same God that Bruce had reminded us at GS that we don't believe in!!) :) The seats were behind the stage in section 68... right off the back left of the stage. They were great! We had a rearview... and got to look into the faces of some of the fans I had met over the last couple years of touring. Sarah and Miki from Italy, Paulien from Holland... and Killmo (Joan) from Buffalo amoung others! :) I can't say I looked at the crowd much... with such a nice view of all butts on stage!! There was so much happening on stage! Patti was there so the "set" was rearranged... Garry was over on the other side of the drums... (wish he would have been closer) and Soozie was in Garry's spot... then along the back... or was that the front... (my stage front) were the horns... Stevie came to the back often... and Bruce gave those us in back a lot of attention, too. I didn't get to see Clarence much at all... but Nils turned around now and then. Roy and Charlie were like bookends... I watched Kevin bring the different guitars for Bruce... one tech was helping Patti out and there were techs for each... bringing them what they needed... there was so much going on behind the scenes. Oh did you want to know about the show? What can I say? The Wild & Innocent... it was wonderful. The River... amazing. Would it be fair of me to tell you that "IT" was so magical that I don't want to talk about it? I just want to hold it inside and cherish it!! But I will share a video.

Not bad seats at'all... ;)

Check out Backstreets.com for detailed set lists, great reviews and more of Guy Aceto's amazing pics!! I'll be posting more stories as I come down from my Bruce buzz. For those of you with a good eye... here I am dancing with Bruce!! lol

I Still Haven't Found...

2009-10-31T12:10:00.029-04:00

What I'm Looking For

Bruce joins U2 at the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame show

The video below reminded me of the last time I saw U2...

It was May 30, 1983 in California... at The US Festival. Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul opened that morning... how wild! Along with U2 that Monday were Berlin, Quarterflash, Missing Persons, Pretenders, Joe Walsh, Stevie Nicks and David Bowie... U2 came on at 12:20 that afternoon... the part of the story that I so fondly remember was when the stars aligned I found exactly what I was looking for. U2 was on the stage... but there was this guy standing at the back of the stage... he was so... captivating. I didn't know who he was but suddenly I wasn't interested in the "bands". :) I smiled his way... and well I suppose I caught his eye... and felt an instant connection... every move I made he seemed to be making... unconsciously... it was like I was looking in the mirror but the mirror was a man. I reached up and pulled down on my bangs... a nervous habit I had back then... and at that very moment he reached up and did the same... He was soooo cute... :o (am I allowed to say that someone other than Bruce "was soooo cute"?) Anyhow... he was. I giggled and looked away... and when I looked back he was gone... I was so disappointed... he had stolen my heart and disappeared! Then I notice him under the (high outdoor) stage coming toward me... well actually he was coming out to the front of the stage... I'm sure it was too watch U2... I watched him closely as he walked crouched down so he wouldn't hit his head on the stage... I felt myself blush... as butterflies fluttered in my tummy... my heart rejoiced. He hopped up on the rail next to me... there was magic in his eyes... but fear's a powerful thing. It's been 26 years, 5 months and 1 day since that "encounter." At times I think about that man and I wonder if he ever found what he was looking for.

Thank you, Lenny...

2009-10-28T07:59:00.013-04:00

"A warm and sensitive person, he was beloved by Bruce, the Band, the crew, and the entire Thrill Hill family." ~ brucespringsteen.net

"Leonard Daniel Sullivan III, 34, of Manasquan, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, in Kansas City, MO. Lenny was the Assistant Road Manager for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He attended East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., and was a member of the Fraternity TKE at the University. He was born in Long Branch, and had been a lifelong resident of Manasquan. He also lived in Hollywood, CA for a brief time. Lenny was one of a kind. Through his life long love of music, he was able to travel the world four times with his cousin Bruce Springsteen. As assistant road manager he cared for and was loved by many. As one of his friends said, "If there is a stage in heaven you are behind it making it happen." He was warm, funny, and loving. He loved to laugh, and his smile was truly contagious. He will be missed by many." ~ Asbury Park Press

Lenny's family has requested that donations be sent to:
The Boys and Girls Club of Ocean County, NJ.
The website is: http://www.bbbsoc.org/
There is a donation button on the left side...
Thanks for taking time to look.

R.I.P Lenny

Meet Me In St. Louis...

2009-10-26T07:57:00.012-04:00

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND

"WORKING ON A DREAM" Tour

St. Louis Set List watch

@ BTX (Backstreets) / Greasy Lake

(Start time = 8:15ish)

I'd like to thank ALL OF YOU who make this watch so much fun!!
"Remember: No one wins unless EVERYBODY WINS!!"

photo by: GG @ the Spectrum Night 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I couldn't go to St. Louis...

and guess what Bruce started the encore with?

Sometimes I feel like a motherless child... :o

More Pictures from Philly...

2009-10-25T16:38:00.009-04:00

Guess I need a little practice on my new camera...

maybe if I find the zoom button... but till then:

Don't forget to click on the pictures for close ups !!

When You Walk In The Room

2009-10-23T07:41:00.016-04:00

I got lucky in Philly at the 3rd show... finally! They took us lucky lottery winners inside while sound check was still happening... and I really was lucky... cause right when I walked into the venue... just before we are supposed to turn to the left... I looked straight ahead and can see into the arena and there's Bruce on stage... I had a perfect view of him singing Bishop Danced! He was wearing beige pants and shirt. The guard had opened the curtain so a small group could watch sound check and they let me join them. There'd be plenty time to get back in line later. Bruce played through the song a couple times... I wondered if he had noticed us watching when he waved as he left the stage... or if he was just practicing. I picked a nice place near the back of the pit... and chatted with the very friendly guards... waiting for showtime. I was fully expecting Bishop Danced to start the show but got a stunner... When You Walk In The Room... which was the first time they've played it since 1976! God he looked good. :o I was too swept away with the moment to pull out my camera... but MagikRat took stunning video!

This was a night for lovers... broken hearted lovers... as Bruce and his band convinced us to grow up and dream again... cause Two Hearts are better than one... then came the promises... MY LOVE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!! The show could have ended there and I would have floated out of the building... but we were still getting the full Born To Run album! One more chance for Bruce to break out into a wild interlude during Backstreets! We were all anticipating... and he took it just a bit further than the last time... leading us on. But it was She's The One the stood out tonight!

Then came the requests and they were humdingers! The first I have seen... It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City... in Cleveland... but the next hadn't been played by the E Street Band since 1981... another shock... I Wanna Marry You.

Next we got a request from The King, himself.

It was a wonderfully fun night... I found myself once again leaving the show saying of Bruce and his E Street Band, "That was the best show I've seen in years!" wondering if night 4 would measure up... being Born In The USA. Well I have to tell you, The Born In The USA Tour, back in 1984 was an incredible tour... so full of energy... it was so powerful... I loved that tour... but the album I had heard live many times... most of it... as encores... so I was wondering what Bruce would do to shake things up... who would have expected the show to open with The Price You Pay?! The song that the whole Springsteen world has been waiting and praying to hear since... The River Tour? I don't know why I question him... and it was amazing... though as you can hear in the video... sign ediquette was lacking.

I had missed the pit and was standing at the GA rail behind the pit... and hadn't yet figured out how to use my new camera... but thankfully MagikRat was at the show!! What a great videotographer!! Anyhow since we had gotten the usual encores at the beginning of the show... there was lots of room for goodies after the album was played... and the requests were great... starting with a request that may have been the highlight of the night... giving Price You Pay a run for it's money... This one could very easily close every show... it took us Higher & Higher!

The next request was Loose Ends...

Then came a major highlight of this tour for me... Vini "Maddog" Lopez joined the E Street Band... sitting in for an "old school" Spirit in the Night... and I was soooo glad that I hadn't let this oportunity pass me by!! I have always wanted to see Vini play with the E Street Band... and in Philly that dream came true!

I left Philly higher than a kite! Thankfully I had gotten over my hurt feelings and made the trip... because this was again one of the best shows ever!! One of the most tender moments... was when Bruce personalized Save The Last Dance For Me to his buddy Jerry. I happen to catch Jerry's reaction... and it was adorable!!

What Love Can Do in Philly

2009-10-08T12:28:00.041-04:00

It's 10 days later... Bruce and his band are playing Philly... and my good buddy, Johnny aka STREET SCENE keeps on talking, urging me... "You don't wanna miss Philly, Gina!" But how could I go? I seriously needed to slow down and save some cash... but I was having way too much fun... even my sister told me that it was time to come back to "reality"... and stop chasing a 60 year old man around the country! "Around the world!" I corrected her! What she didn't realize was that... I wasn't chasing him... I was using him... to see the world... or at least parts of it. I was using the tour to live a little... it had been so long since I had enjoyed the fuck out of life!! You can only live for everyone else for so long before you have to break free and... well... damn it... I was having so much fun... I guess it should have been against the law... So to please the "real world" I didn't go to Philly... I stayed home... in their "reality." The bad time I had at Giant Stadium helped me make my choice... but it's hard to make a good choice when you let your emotions or hurt feelings be the boss... but since I had chosen to come back to reality and had all my home "duties" done... I went ahead and put up the "Official Set List Thread" and set up the stream so my Bruce-friends could listen to the show with me. Holy shit!! :o Seaside Bar Song? Jesus... they hadn't played that since 1973!! They were bout to cut loose and I WASN'T THERE!! Johnny was right again... Yes it was another Born To Run show... but the "fillers" were off the hook! By the time The Fever ended I had left the world of "reality" and decided to head to Philly for another round of Darkness On The Edge of Town! Then came the battle between the angel on my left shoulder and the devil on my right... or was that the devil on my left and the angel on my right? I guess that depends on whose world you are in. ;) So far the one on my left shoulder was winning... I didn't have a ticket... I better not go... then I got a pm from Robb... the ticket was no longer an issue... but now time was. It was already near noon and if I was gonna go... depending on how fast I drive it takes about 6 or 7 hours... with no traffic... I wasn't even close to being ready... and what was I gonna wear? Oh hurry, Gina... I drove faster than normal... :o and got there with 15 minutes to spare... looking for a sign that I had done the right thing. Thundercrack... Baby's back... well we were off to a great start... The Ties That Bind... WHAT LOVE CAN DO!! A sign... I had done the right thing!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

What Love Can Do! That was all I needed... but I got so much more that night in Philly... I got my fire back!! I realized that there was so much more I wanted... and needed from the band... so many songs I hadn't heard and there was only a little over a month left of the tour. This would be the last time that Darkness On The Edge Of Town would be played in it's entirety... What an incredible album... listening to it reminded me of the pain and confusion I was living in 1978... and how the music saved me from wallowing in that pain... it helped me to realize that I wasn't alone... and that we were all hurting... but together with the healing balm of the music I could overcome the darkness... and live in "reality" again... with the rest of the strangers... walking down Streets of Fire.

What an album... I stood in awe so glad I hadn't missed this last performance of it. I was up along the side of the stage... looking down at the band... on Patti's side... Yes, Patti had slipped out of "reality" too, to join the band and we were graced with Human Touch... a very nice touch... but it was Stevie who brought down the hope of glory in friendship... and new beginnings... in Long Walk Home. (video from the night before.)

As I drove home right after the show... I told the devil on my left shoulder to "STFU" and assured the angel on my right that we would be going to the next two shows in Philly to see the Born To Run and Born In The USA shows... hoping and praying for FOR YOU solo on the piano... and of course... Life Itself!

Wrecking Ball Hits Giant Stadium

2009-10-08T12:28:00.030-04:00

photos by: GinaG @ GS 9/30/09
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I needed to make a choice... Philly... Madison Square Garden or Giant Stadium... I could NOT do all three and really needed to save for the shows that were coming to my hometown and surrounding areas... How could I travel to Europe and all around the states, yet miss the shows in Cleveland... Detroit and Buffalo?? I decided that I wouldn't go to Giant Stadium... but Rachel and Maaike were coming over from Holland and Angela. Melania, Frankie and Tony were coming from Italy!! Jeremy had an extra ticket and since I was picking up tickets for the girls... he could even "front" me my ticket... well... I had to go. I had never been to Giant Stadium... and this might be the last chance I'd get to see the E Street Band there... since I had missed the Reunion and Rising Tours... I had so much catching up to do. One really cool thing I had heard about these shows was that with the GS GA procedure the first 1000 people to show up for pit lottery wristbands would automatically be in the HUGE pit! I guess that was one good thing... Rachel and Maaike had seats... so Leticia and I got there early... meeting up with Dana, Sheila, Heidi and Liz... Angela, Melania and many of my Italian friends also showed up... bringing their joy and excitement with them!! Leticia speaks fluent Italian which was cool. She fit right in! We got a nice spot a few rows behind the middle cat walk and another really tall guy let us stand in front of him... he was very sweet! There were a group of Italians right in front of him and how adorable they were... the men were shorter than their wives so they stood in front of them and the ladies stood with Leticia and I behind them... They reminded me of my Grandma from Sicily. It was a beautiful night so far. The show started with a new song... an interesting new song that Bruce supposedly had written the night before in honor of the tearing down of Giant Stadium.

One thing is for sure...

The mosquitoes and the bites they leave are frickin' HUGE!! :(

Wish I could say that the mosquitoes were the only negative that night... but woe was me. After Wrecking Ball the band went right into Seeds and the Johnny 99... we were rockin' when suddenly out of nowhere the Italian couples in front of me were mowed over by a camera man followed by his "dog" who was assigned to "keep people like us" back... as they took our wonderful little places at the foot of the catwalk to get another "angle" for the DVD(?) perhaps or maybe just for the big screens. I was dismayed and shocked at this "dog's" behavior and so I asked him wtf he thought he was doing... joking how Bruce was just about to sing to me... when he yelled in my face that Bruce wouldn't sing "a fucking note" to me... and threatened to throw me out... I told him to give me back my money and I would leave on my own!! Though he did apologize the next night for his rudeness brought on by lack of sleep... I was very hurt and unsure why I hadn't listened to myself and skipped Giant Stadium. What could he have been thinking to say that to a fan? What made things even worse is that Bruce was singing the very song that I had just told myself on the drive to NJ that I wanted to hear... Atlantic City. By the end of Outlaw Pete they had left... thankfully.

We got the Born To Run album that night... It was an 8 hour drive to Jersey from my home... and on the way while I was driving I was thinking about how wonderful it could be... if Bruce would just take his time... and not rush it... like in the old days... when it didn't feel like a song... it felt like he was breathing life into each word. I so hoped that he would take his time... and he did... from the very first notes of Thunder Road through to Meeting Across The River and into Jungleland... it was amazing.

The rest of the show was a lot of fun... though some don't understand how they can go from Jungleland into Waitin' On a Sunny Day... I love the song. It's so sweet to watch Bruce interact with the kids... So... I'm taping it for Summer Breeze and security tells me to stop so I take it down but it won't shut off for some reason... so why not record... since it's on... might as well. It turns out that the kid Bruce is singing with is the nephew of my friend Ashley... and I got it on tape!! Good thing it didn't shut off. ;)

Then Bruce shared his "Birthday Dream" with us...

or was that a "Nightmare!!"

Willie Nile joined the band for a few songs... and Bruce took another opportunity to dance with the lady of his choice... she was flattered by his charm! As sweet as he is... how did he come out of Jersey? :o The next two nights we got Darkness On The Edge of Town and Born In The USA in full... and while the shows were as always, great... Darkness AMAZING... I was in a funk... I'm not sure why... but it was tangible... at least from where I was standing. Maybe I should have skipped the shows... but then I would have missed Bruce's cover of Tom Wait's Jersey Girl. :) It was beautiful.

After Jersey Girl left... Kitty came Back... and the show took off! Detroit Medley led us into American Land... and to close with style... they sprung for fireworks!! What I found most interesting... was that with all the yuck and funk I was feeling... the music was able to break through... and take me to that place again... where everything is alright. The highlight of the night for me was when Stevie came over to the catwalk at the far end... where I was standing... and at the end of Thunder Road he slipped his pick into my hand! Thanks, Stevie!!

Now... come what may... I would have to skip Philly. :(

But could I?? (or is that Good Eye?) ;)

Jole Blon in Tampa!

2009-10-08T12:27:00.082-04:00

My girlfriend, Kit (yes the same Kit) invited me to Florida for Tampa and Sunrise... As you can imagine... I couldn't say no!! lol And I'm so glad I didn't: Kit picked me up at the airport and we called Leigh and easily talked him into meeting us over at the venue to check out the tailgating possibilities. First we stopped at the box office to see how many GA had been sold... 1700... ut oh. Well we thought we would walk over (inside) and check out the pit area... we didn't get far before we were asked where we thought that we were going... we explained that we were just looking around... asking him if he would give us a lift (tour) in his golf cart. He pointed to the gate and told us he would drive us to the exit... which was about 10 yards... we laughed and I asked him if he would take us the long way! He told us to get in!! He then took us on a tour of the venue riding us all around the seated area... pointing to the pit... he explained that seats had been removed to make it bigger. We praised him as he dropped us off at the exit... He was so sweet. Once we saw the size of the pit we knew that where ever we wound up it would be great!! So the next morning we took our time and Kit showed me the Golf coastline before we headed to meet up with her baby sister for the show. It is lovely... the sand so soft... It reminded me of how much I love the ocean. What I am doing living inland again, I'll never know. Kit has a lovely home and family... it was so cool listening to their stories of moving to Florida from Bruce's hometown. Off to the show where we met up with Bill aka Weak Knees Willie... who had even many stories to share as we waited for the lucky lottery number to be drawn. 599... shit... just behind us... that put us at the back of the line... but wait... they had only given out 590 bands... how could that be? After much turmoil the number was redrawn and we still missed the "front" of the line. When we got inside I wound up behind a 6' guy who let me stand in front of him but the guy and his dad in front of him was even taller than him but they were very kind and let me stand next to them!! It was My Lucky Day as I was moved into the second row!! It was a very friendly crowd... where I was standing... with Mike (the school teacher who leads the Jukebox Graduates) and his son right in front of me and Ken to my left... Bruce and The E Streeters gave Tampa a beautiful show... even though it was very hot and sticky... but Bruce assured us that they LOVED hot and sticky!! There was definetly a bond between Bruce and Tampa brought on by the SuperBowl "roadies"... his "calvary." Kit was one of them. Then came request time... we held up our signs... this time... I asked for What Love Can Do... Bruce looked right at it and pointed as he assured me, "We're not gonna do that one!" :o Humph... I didn't think he would... but I had to try!! Bruce picked rather cool requests... one a total surprise that no one possibly could have expected especially me... since I had just been saying how cool it would be to get All Or Nothin' At All!!

Then Bruce choose another request... one that I never thought I'd ever get to hear... Jole Blon. Once again... with their magic... Bruce and his band took me back 30 years... I was so glad that I had my camera with me!!

The tour was just getting better and better... remaining steadfast with She's The One and Born To Run... Thunder Road... and Racin' In The Streets. Racin' has always held a special place in my heart cause... well... they called my dad, "Sonny" even though his name was Sal... everyone called him, "Sonny" and I always imagined that she wasn't an engine that Bruce and Dad were building straight outa scratch. ;) Then another of my favorites... Point Blank... it was perfect... making the heat an essential part of our night.... yes, I do still say my prayers... little darlin'.

The band was tight... and in a good mood. It seemed as though they really were enjoying the "hot & sticky!" and time flew by way to fast... the encores were almost over when Bruce motioned for several of us to come up on stage to dance with him... and many did! Of course... I didn't! Maybe someday I'll get up the nerve! :o

When one man seemed like he wanted some "extra" attention... Bruce swept him off his feet to help him exit the stage!! We roared with laughter!! Clarence played wonderfully... he looked so big from where I stood... at his feet!! What an amazing presence he possesses... I am still in awe of The Big Man! He smiled all night... occassionally stopping to add a little E Street Attitude as he wiggled... I giggle... He was so cool... flirting and dancing with his fans!

The show closed with a beautiful beautiful Thunder Road... which left me in tears waving goodbye to the band... and to my medicine... I took a deep breath and knew it was all gonna be alright. I slowly left passing the soundboard on the way... hoping for another setlist for my collection... this time there were none left... my ticket stub would have to do. After the show Kit, Terri, Bill and I hung out in the parking lot... ooowin' and awwin' over the last 3 hours as we helped Leigh and Jan finish off the Margarita's... we didn't stay late cause we had a show the next day... and a long drive to get there!! The next morning we were up and on our way to Sunrise, Florida craving more E Street Magic!!

Sunrise, Florida

Would Bruce pull a rabbit out of his hat at Sunrise? I soon learned the trick to paperless ticketing is to bring the correct credit card with you! Which I had not done. It dawned on me shortly after I had gotten my wristband for the lottery. When I realized it I went to the box office hoping that there would be something that could be done. They told me which card I had used and sure enough I had purposefully left that card at home... not wanting to travel with all of my cards... they also told me that it was totally up to Tom... who was "in charge" of the lottery... so there I was at the mercy of Tom... who right from the very first time I had met him DID NOT like me... I had tried to introduce myself to him and give him one of my ginagiambone.com cards... and he told me, "I know who you are and I know what you want." LOL Holy shit... and I was at his mercy!! Well I tucked my tail between my legs and went to him and told him I had left the correct card at home... I was on his list as an original ticket buyer and was obviously not a scalper... and he had already given me a lottery wristband... but did that matter? Not at all... he looked at me and said with no regard to the miles or money I had spent getting there, "then you are disqualified from the lottery." :o "Fuck YOU!" was my first thought... but I suppressed that thought and tried to talk reason to him... I tried to explain that I wasn't conning the system... but he didn't care... I was out... and he "dismissed" me... :o Well... I didn't buy his answer and got back in line where my number was and started praying... with my hands on my hips... now what was I gonna do? I knew that because I had the wrong card my number would be picked to be in the pit... but I was gonna get left out cause Tom had no idea WHO I AM!! Does he not know that I was born with the power or a locomotive?! And sure enough I was one of the "lucky lottery numbers" and so I prayed some more. Then I remembered Dana showing me her cut up credit card and her telling me that she had to just tell them the number on the card... they could enter it and BINGO!! I called my son, Joshua, and he read me the numbers off of the card... I wrote them down and waited for my turn to be let in. No tricks... but definitely like magic I was in... Tom who? :p Yes I can look back and it seems funny but at the time I was in tears... it was not a very good thing to go through before a "Dream" show. A couple deep breaths and maybe I could shake it off... I had a good spot in the pit... mid way back... between Bruce & Clarence... right in front of Nils... let it rock!! And rock it did! I love Night... and tonight it was so appropriate... Max's fierce banging helped to crush some of the "paperless" bricks.

Right into Cover Me... wow!! This was gonna be a good one!! Everyone seemed to be in a good mood... but to be honest the signs were starting to annoy me. There was one in particular that kept going up each time I wanted to record or take a picture... time after time it went up during Working On A Dream... and like I said... it was pretty annoying... then much to my surprise and pleasure Bruce yells to the person holding the sign, "Give me that sign!" takes it... and we get Sherry Darlin'! (and the sign is out of the way!)

We got some real treasures like Be True, So Young & In Love, and Then She Kissed Me.

When my daughter's favorite song, Waiting On A Sunny Day began I quickly called her so she could listen... oh how she loves that song! Thunder Road once again closed the show... and once again I waved goodbye to the band... tears streaming down my face.

What a wonderful time I had in "hot and sticky" Florida...

For the invite, Kitty...

Hot Sun Beating On The Blacktop

2009-10-08T12:26:00.013-04:00

Leaving Torino proved to be quite the challange... as we raced to do things I should have done before the show... such as finding a money machine & filling up the gas tank. So we raced around long after midnight... figured out Italian enough to pull money out of the machine and then much to my surprise couldn't figure out how to turn on the "automated" gas pumps or where to put the money. Finally we find an all night gas station and off we go toward Udine. By now I'm wiped out and having quite a hard time staying awake and so I pull over to rest my eyes... 3 hours later I wake up with a gasp...

OH NO! The Italians got a 3-5 hour head start!! I was wide awake as I raced once more toward our final European Show mad at myself for falling asleep. The rental car had an alarm that would sound if I dared to go over the speed limit that kept going off for some reason... Rachel would wake up each time... just long enough to inform me what the alarm meant... "your speed." she'd mumble... and I'd answer back, "I know." lol We were quite surprised, as were our new Italian Bruce buddies, when we pulled in at #74 - 76! I was so mad at myself for falling asleep. We could have been front and center rather than front between Nils & Clarence. :D Just imagine, front row... IN ITALY!! and with such a wonderful group of fans... from all around Europe. Udine was very hot... but dry... like Nevada... and like Kuwait City... where Mijbel is from... he too had traveled to Italy just to see the show!! The Italian fans had been such wonderful hosts... even with the hot hot sun there were smiles and excitement all around... that is unless someone tried to cut in line... which was taken very seriously. You earn your spot by coming early... if you don't come early... you stand in the back. Respect!! Mijbel had a really cool Kitty's Back sign... a great request!! After the firetruck came through and "watered" us... security went down the line explaining the rules of entry. We were to WALK. They pointed out the official police and warned us that if there was any hint of running or excitement to run that they would shut down the show instantly... and added that they were looking for a reason to shut them down... so what ever we do... DO NOT RUN. So we calmly entered the venue... and I walked all the way... right up to the front row!! Rachel was taken to the handicapped vip seating again. I was very very close to the same spot in Roma and Milan (Magic Tour)... in Milan I stood behind a young man named Fabio... this year in Udine he and his girlfriend Roberta were standing right next to me!! How cool is that? Roberta spoke very good English and we chatted for hours... as we melted in the sun. Finally the sun decended behind the stadium seats...

Badlands... after 17 shows I finally got it... the message for The Dream Tour... "it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive." It's not a sin... and I sure was glad to be alive and in Udine!! Amazing... The song selection was in general very "up beat" but Murder Incorporated brought a haunting reminder to not trust Bobby!! Check out Nils' killer solo.

It was a beautiful night... hot... hot... hot... No Surrender... Summertime Blues... Be True... Streets of Fire... My Love Will Not Let You Down...

Another incredible show from the boys (& gal, sista soozie!) whom I have grown very fond of over the months! Her expression is a joy... she looks so happy to be there with her smile so bright! She is very animated as well and her attitude fits perfectly filling the corner in front of Roy's piano with good vibes and cheer!

To the crowds great pleasure Born in the USA started off our encore set... sticking close to hits off the same album before closing out with Twist & Shout! The E Street Band fulfilled it vow... and brought the music!! Udine brought the noise! On the way out I tried my luck and asked for a set list... I was so thrilled to score!! They said that they were all gone but then suddenly the guy from back puts one in the air and says here! Oh my goodness, I got all three ITALIAN SET LISTS!!! What a great keepsake!! Thanks to all of Bruce's staff as well as his fans for the great memories!!

Happy Birthday, Boss!!

2009-09-23T13:23:00.006-04:00

TILL THE END!!

My Love Will Not Let TURIN Down!

2009-08-16T13:49:00.033-04:00

Crutches!! That's it... we'll rent crutches!! Rachel loved the idea!! We picked up our rental car and programmed the navigational system... and off to the Olimpico di Torino, but first crutches. When we got to the pharmacy we found that is was 50 euros to rent (for a week) but it was only 25 euros to buy them. What a deal!! Just hurry!! We got queued up late... but it could have been worse... I had #124... damn... oh well... but my concern was Rachel... she couldn't stand for 3 hours... and I needed to make sure that she'd be okay so I could escape into The E Street Band for 3 hours... I spoke with Graham about handicapped seating... hoping I wouldn't have to stay with her... lol... I wanted to try for a good spot in front again. Thankfully they moved her to the special soccer handicapped seating, where she had a great seat on a platform above the crowd just behind the pit... security was much more adamant about us not running and the queue is walked slowly into the venue. It was amazing... so opposite Roma's entrance... and I got a spot off to the side... Clarence's side again... but farther off center. It wasn't the best spot but it was front row... on the rail... it could have been much worse. Right before they let us in... Corrado and his friend told me about their idea for the Drive All Night signs... this time they would put three Drive All Night signs in three separate envelopes... marked with #1, #2 and #3. Then they paid a child to hand Bruce the envelopes so that Bruce wouldn't suspect any trickery! lol What a great idea!! He handed me another of the printed off Drive All Night signs. As I sat waiting for the show the guy next to me asked what song I wanted most... (he spoke very good broken English!) and I told him that (besides FOR YOU which he played in Dublin) I had been following Bruce around for 2 years hoping for My Love Will Not Let You Down... and that's what I really wanted to hear... and I looked at my sign... and I thought... why not... and I turned my Drive All Night sign over and asked the girls making their sign on a big water float if I could borrow a marker... and I made my sign... one like the one I was holding when Bruce shook my hand in Greensboro... (remember?) The one with a heart as the O in LOVE... but I only had one color... so it was all black and very generic... and very plain. He wasn't going to play it anyway... but what the heck... would plain be good enough? The lighting guys came out and taunted us once more... the show was about to begin... I gasped... a tour premiere... LOOSE ENDS!

The crowd was lovin' it... these crowds were unlike any of the crowds I'd seen in America... the energy was so high... and the love tangible... there was no judging of the set list here... just a hunger for more... "every body's got a hungry heart" the crowd sang... before another dramatic Outlaw Pete... Bruce switched up this time, replacing Seeds with another premiere, Murder Inc... followed by Johnny 99 and American Skin... and then it was time to RAISE YOUR SIGN!! I was so far away from the stage... way down... but not far enough to be at the end where he would stop for signs... it was hopeless but I held it up anyway. He stopped about 3 people down from me and grabbed the floatation raft from the girls before walking past me... as he headed toward the end catwalk he glanced down at my sign and looked straight at it... but he kept walking... like he wasn't interested in it... I was disappointed but not surprised... I held it up one final time as he passed me heading back toward the stage... not so much as a glance... I threw it down on the floor between the stage and the pit... and took my mind off it as they premiered another with Traveling Band! Then Bruce opens an envelope with a request in it: Drive All Night!! The crowd cheers but Bruce shakes his head no and goes for the #2 envelope! OH NO!! He opens it: Drive All Night!! He knows he's been tricked and he rips open envelope #3: Drive All Night!! He looks at us like we are nuts as he counts it off our 4th premiere!!

Amazing!! There was such an amazing vibe going on... a connection... bond of love... between Bruce and the traveling fans... who followed Bruce throughout Europe... Drive All Night was for them!! On to the next request: Two Hearts... which seemed to speak louder than usual on this warm Italian night... sometimes it does feel like it was planned for me to roam empty hearted through this land... but not tonight... I was surrounded by not only 2 hearts that understood... but thousands... what a great time we were having... so much so that I hadn't even realized that there was no sign for the next request... but as the opening notes rang out to the 5th premiere of the night, the girls who had loaned me their marker turned to me & we screamed in each others' faces! It was my request! Thank you, Bruce!

I chose this video to share because amazingly enough... this is where I stood... the filmer must have been right behind me as this is my view... and pretty close to what I heard... LOL That bass amp in front of me was soooo loud... it pounded through me... thankfully Max & Garry were in sync with my heartbeat!! Tonight in Turin, Bruce and his E Streeters did NOT let us down!! Bruce gave us 6 premieres in all including My Hometown... and one "extra" that had us breathlessly waiting for more as Bruce offered us tiny taste of the old days when he teased us with a hint of a "sad eyes" insert during Backstreets... Bruce was definitely feelin' it!

On the way out one of the "crew" gave me Clarence's copy of the set list!! I had come so far... and waited so long... and got both of my requests... in Europe!! I left Torino floating on cloud 9... What's left for Udine?

Did I say, "Thank you!" yet? Well...

Workin' On A Roma Dream

2009-08-10T09:46:00.078-04:00

When in Roma... do as the Romans! And that is exactly what I intended to do... but would we be able? I took a minute to "warn" Rachel and Maaike how physical it can get in the Italian pit... and how essential it is to get to the rail... not so much to see Bruce as it is to breathe!! We were up for the challenge! When we got to Stadio Olimpico I didn't see anyone around so I spent about 2 hours walking around the place... looking for the queue... finally fatigued in the hot sun I went to the fountain and submerged my shirt in water and then put it back on... then I picked a spot where I could see "most" of the gates and laid out under the tree. As I looked around I noticed that everyone was laying down under the trees... it was siesta time... just in time! When I woke up I noticed 2 ladies who appeared to be checking gates... I invited them to wait with me and we put our name on a makeshift list... just then I see Corrado with the "official" list... I was relieved to see him working out "details" with the head of security... they looked very serious. I listened as they discussed the situation with so much passion... what I could understand was that the man in charge was telling him that if he/we respected his request that he, too, would respect Corrado's list/us. I felt like I was in a scene from The Godfather!! But what was his request? I couldn't follow the words... so I waited for Corrado to explain. There were diplomats and important people going to be there the night before the show and he didn't want us on the property... or anywhere in sight. Corrado looked concerned... he told us to meet in the garden at Piazza Mancini across the street... where we added our names to his list. We got #7,8 and 9... Tony had beat us to Roma and got #6... and Sara and Miki, two beautiful ladies from Roma, and Angelo were #3, 4 & 5... and Samantha and Sarah from France had #10 & 11... So now Corrado's job for the next two days was to keep any and all Bruce fans away from Stadio Olimpico... a near impossible request! The next day we showed up for roll call and got the good news that because of the situation we wouldn't have roll call again till 10pm... so we had all day to see Roma!! Sara walked us over to the bus depot and showed us where to go and what bus to take... so we jumped on a bus and headed to the Vatican... it is so beautiful. I wish I could have seen it without the huge amounts of people... but I imagine only Bruce could get to do that!! lol

(PLEASE, click on all the images for amazing close up views!)

After dinner and a little wine and/or beer... we went back to the hotel for a cat nap before roll call. When we returned we found that the list had grown immensely... and I saw more familiar faces. It was especially good to see Anna and Renzo... the woman and her husband who were so kind to me in Milan last year! They had come planning to camp out but decided to take a room at the same hotel as us. Martino led roll call and then announced the time for the next one... 10am? Wow... a whole nights sleep? Sweet dreams!! And sweet they were... ;) The next morning we made it back to the garden with a little time to spare and Michaela (Miki) treated us to croissants and Italian coffee... it came in a little bottle and was hot and we poured it into little bitty cups... 2 sips of coffee that equaled in strength that of 2 cups of American coffee. It was delicious... and the croissants were wonderful... yum! Thanks again, Mik & Sara! We didn't need to be back for the next roll call until 7 or 8 pm... I can't remember now. So off to the Vatican again... or nearby, where Rachel had spotted a Footlocker... she wanted to buy a new pair of shoes... and so did I! Running shoes! lol The Pope still no where in sight... so we blessed our own shoes and headed to the Spanish Steps where "Roman Holiday" was filmed. How perfect!! Then it was time to grab a nice hot meal so we found another "Restorante" and again found only bread products... bread with pizza sauce and cheese... some with salami and cheese... everything was bread based... same as the last 2 "Restorantes." So we ordered... you guessed it... bread!! We laughed as we feasted on our bread... and I quoted scripture, "Man does not live by bread alone," I said... adding, "so the Italians added a slice of salami and cheese!" It really wasn't funny... but we laughed anyway. At the next roll call we found that at midnight we would be moved to the "gate" at the venue! By 1am we were in our places. Sara suggest that we go get some sleep... she would hold our places so she called us a cab and we were fast asleep just in time for the alarm to wake me at 4am... we had to be back by 6. Now came the hard part... holding our spots the last day... while many showed up to try to sneak in... everyone knew who had been queued with them and respected and protect each other's place... at one point someone came and asked me how long we had been queued... it seemed I had been queued for a couple weeks now for one show or another... so I couldn't think and answered Saturday the 16th. (The 16th was a Thursday.) It was so hot in the sun that most everyone climbed over the barrier to seek refuge from the sun under the trees... which made it look like there wasn't many waiting in the queue... but by 3 pm there were a few thousand waiting to get into the pit. Bruce had sound checked around 1 but it hadn't lasted long... I think it was due to the heat so we were a little surprised when he sound-checked Atlantic City just before 4pm. Finally Graham came to escort Liz to safety and that was the sign that we were about to be let in. They were going to let 10 in from each stall at the gate and then hold back for a few minutes then let in another 10 from each stall... but because of the lateness of our entry they let down the order and let everyone in at once. There was a mad dash into the venue... First there was steps going up... then going down... and they were not even... so they were easy to miss your stepping... I get so flustered when we have to run... I never know which way to go... my panic makes it so hard for me to think... then finally I see a spot at the rail right in front of Clarence... it's filling up quickly as I make my way to it... people flying past me... and then... I get there and look over at Sabine who moves over and invites me next to her! I look to my left and a really handsome young man smiles and nods to let me know that there is plenty room there for me, too!! How sweet!! We sit and stand... and sit and stand... as we wait for Bruce and his E Streeters to hit the stage... and I search for a comfortable place to sit half on the hard metal and half off... and chatted with Chiara and Melody while waiting... There was a young man with a American Skin (41 shots) sign behind me... but most of us had the same sign... an Italian with a print shop had a couple thousand of them printed... and everyone had one... how could Bruce refuse us? Time ticks away... and soon the excitement mounts as the crew readys the stage... I glance to the left just in time to catch a quick glimpse of Jay chatting with fans before heading backstage... I look over to the right and see Corrado and Martino and the group of dedicated fans that had put so much time into their quest to be in front... I was so glad to see that they had made it, too!

We waved to each other with anticipation of a great show! I looked around for Maaike and Rachel but couldn't see them... but their plan had been to head to the little catwalk at the very end... it was an easy rail to get to... and they had gotten some of Bruce's attention there in Glasgow and Dublin. I'd catch up with them after the show. Around 9:30 there is a sudden press toward the stage in anticipation... all the gaps are filled in as the crowd becomes one... finally the light men come out and taunt us... and we cheer at their every move.

At 10:30pm (22.30) it begins!!

What an amazing beginning... unlike any other... and so perfect! Once Upon A Time In The West by Ennio Morricone gave me chills before the band broke into Badland, Out In The Street, a dramatic Outlaw Pete, No Surrender... and with She's The One in the 5th spot... satisfaction was close at hand... It was going to be a very special night... Maybe it was the late night start... perhaps it was the Italian air... but tonight seemed magical... a sea of arms waved to Working On A Dream... it was so cool... and you could see that the band was very pleased with the crowd! So, would we get Youngstown or Ghost of Tom Joad tonight, after Seeds and Johnny 99? What a beautiful suprise... Atlantic City... (surprised, even though it was sound checked) I was purring like a kitten... and then it was time for Bruce to collect signs... lol We all held up our signs high: Drive All Night... most of them read!! We begged him!! He stopped and put his hands on his hips and looked at all the signs... and he shook his head, "NO!" Bummer!! Instead he chose signs for Hungry Heart... which the crowd loved and then picked a beautiful sign with glitter all over it for Pink Cadillac... and another sign that said something about getting married and I'm On Fire... but that wasn't the end of the requests... one more for the birthday girl... Surprise Surprise... followed by a 5th request granted... a sizzling Prove It All Night!!

There were two adorable brothers... hoping to get to sing with Bruce but when Bruce offered the one little guy the mic... he stumbled over the "English" but Bruce swept him up in his arms and assured him that he did a great job... rewarding him with a guitar pick! Then Bruce granted another request! He did 41 Shots for the guy behind me! It was amazing! What a highlight... A very intense song... so scary and true... followed perfectly by Lonesome Day... a song which I really really like. After Born To Run the band stayed on stage... which brings up Clarence! He looked great! He was so cool and having a great time... his smile was vibrant... and he played wonderfully! I'm not sure if I should call it the encore, but it started with a heartfelt My City In Ruins... which I learned after the show was also a request given to Bruce earlier that night... and if that wasn't enough of requests granted... after Thunder Road Bruce took one more request from his "friend" (in the pit) for a rockin' You Can't Sit Down. It was request city in Roma!!

I had so much fun in Roma... and so did Bruce's mom and aunt... they joined the band on stage and danced a jig behind Bruce during American Land... they were having so much fun that Bruce had to shoo them off the stage after the song had ended! lol Bobby Jean led the final 3... slowing things down just a little before it got wild with Dancing In The Dark... bringing back great memories of my first experience of Dancing with the Italians in Milan! When in Roma you do as the Romans and JUMP!! Keeping it going... we Twist & Shout!! What a great time!! Nearly 3 hours later the show ends... and once again, Bruce and his band has proven why they are the best rock-n-roll band around!

We wave and they leave the stage...

Just then a guy comes out with a stack of set lists and throws them in the air... I get elbowed right above my eye... holy crap... the guy with the wild elbow hurries to bring me a set list... apologizing so sweetly. lol I graciously accepted his apologee and his gift!! Then I headed to the exit to wait for Rachel and Maaike... but it was soon apparent that they weren't coming so I went back inside to find Rachel unable to walk. She had fallen on the steps on the way in during the mad dash and had re-injured her foot. :o Oh no!! Though she was able to stand on one foot most of the show by leaning on the rail... at Thunder Road she had to find a place to sit. She told me how wonderful those around her in the crowd were... helping her to get to the back of the pit to sit... but now she couldn't put weight on it.... so they got us an ambulance to take her to the top of the stadium and they drop us off outside and told her, as well as they could, to give it rest... and from there we tried to find someone... anyone who spoke English and could help us get a cab. About an hour or so later I finally found help out in front... 2 guys from Canada... who spoke English!! Jeff and John helped us to get a cab and our cab then called them a cab! Our heroes! Thanks so much, Jeff and John from Canada!! The next morning I woke to find that it wasn't a dream... and Rachel really couldn't walk... and we had a plane to catch!! Rachel refused to call the rest of the trip off so as we carried Rachel and her luggage down to the cab I assured her, "Don't worry Rachel... we'll get a wheelchair at the airport! Next stop: Turin!!

MP3 Download - Full Show here: Roma Part 1 & Roma Part 2

Please use MP3 for personal use and do not burn for trade.

Dublin "Dream" Art

2009-08-01T14:29:00.031-04:00

Here's a few pics I took in Dublin...
Just click on them to see the big picture!!

Stay tuned for my review of AN ITALIAN DREAM!!

Incident in Glasgow

2009-07-31T08:14:00.033-04:00

I met up with Rachel and Maaike in Holland and together we flew to Dublin on the 10th... to follow that dream... stopping at the hotel to check in and meet up with Angie before rushing to the RDS Arena to get our "numbers" but soon realized it would be too cold to stay out all night... we jumped in a cab and went back to the hotel planning an early day... waiting in the queue the next day was wet but exciting! Spirits were high with anticipation of a great show! With numbers in the 160ish range we did quite well to end up in second row on Stevie's side. As we sat in the pouring rain waiting for the show to begin... we chatted with those around us... well, Surprise Surprise if it wasn't Anne (fellow Btxer) sitting right next to me! We had been hoping to hook up before the show but without use of my cell phone we hadn't had the chance... and now... just like magic!! How cool was that?! I also got to spend a bit of time with another fellow Btxer, Helen, whom I met in Chicago back in 2007... and again in Amsterdam last year! It was also nice to see Mo and Cicile (again!) :)

There were so many familiar faces... it was good to be back in Europe! For the second show I somehow got in line with "the Crazy Italians" and was I in for real a treat! The line was ran beautifully and we were walked in... I got a great spot between two awesome Italian fans: Riccardo and Tony and right behind two of the sweetest and shortest ladies... sisters: Baukje & Katja, and my friend from Spain, Laia. In Dublin I met Chiara and Angela and finally got to meet Barbara "Springsteen"... I also got to see Corrado again! Corrado ran the line in Milan last year and made it so enjoyable that I just had to come back to Italy... I couldn't wait!!

But I had no idea that Dublin would be so much fun! So much so that Dublin Night 2 has moved up to at least my second favorite of all time fun shows!! Thanks so much Tony and Ricarrdo for the Italian touch!! American Land was sooooo much fun... I'll always love hearing "the Italians" line and think of your flag! It was more than magical!!

The European "Bruce" Experience had won my heart again... and by the end of the second show I was convinced that unless you have experienced a fan run GA line and entrance for a Bruce show at least once in Europe... you are missing out. I advise you start making plans!! (Here are some of my pictures though the last 3 - #4-#6 & #9 are Tony's)

Next stop... Glasgow!!

We get to Glasgow fast... faster than many of the other "Traveling Fans" and get numbers in the low 20's... we were all set. The others gathered... Liz & Claire from England, Angela, Tony, Daniela, Elisa, & Diego from Italy, Oscar & Marcos from Spain and Greasy Lake's Queen of the Supermarket, from America!!

Glasgow's queue was much more mellow... and before the crowds got too big we took the time to get to know those we were "touring" with. In Dublin I had worried about Liz getting ran over... she was so tiny and moved quite slow... but was relieved to see a beautiful security man come and escort her out of the crowd to inside just before the gates opened. In Glasgow I got to learn more of Liz and her daughter Claire... (and her kind future son-in-law). Liz had been in the queue for the SSB Tour in Rome and it was just after roll call when she was hit by an out of control car... she was rushed to an Italian hospital with a broken back and leg as well as other injuries... and here she was... back in the queue... camping out and earning her way to the front... what an inspiration!! I was so glad to see Bruce's team take her to safety before the gates opened!! Liz told me all about Graham... the man with the arms... who was her personal angel.

I almost forgot that I was there for Bruce!! :) Oops... Back to the queue... It felt as if there was more of a competitive spirit lurking... as people made plans as to which way they would run to overtake those in front of them... and when the young lady. Ilaria, who had ran the pit line got held up in the gate just in front of me... she panicked and the worker made her calm down before she would release the gate and open it for her. We lost valuable time and my number 22 now got me only into a second row position. But I was satisfied with it having overcome so many challenges to get there. Did I mention the huge flight of stairs going way up then waaay down? I was exhausted when I arrived at my spot... another guy wanted my spot and it was his only show... so I moved a little to the right to give him more room but I didn't have the strength to go toe to toe with the big bully next to me that wanted the rest of my spot... I stood my ground for an hour but when he turned his back on me and started pressing backwards he won the battle and I had nowhere to stand. Liz came to my rescue and insisted that I stand behind her... which gave me a much better view... but I was so weary from lack of sleep and being bullied that I enjoyed the show with much less zest then the nights in Dublin. What a brutal crowd... I thought as I watched drunken fans being pulled out of the pit... one after another. There were some very sweet people right behind me and to the right... a woman and her sweet son... and Denzil's friend with the big box disguised as a die. I still haven't figured out his request. I think it was Roll of the Die! I Watched the first few songs through the tears in my eyes... fatigue... disappointment in my physical abilities... whatever it was... I wasn't able to shake off the bummer feelings as easily as other times... it seemed as though Bruce knew he needed to work extra hard to help me shake my funk... so following up My Lucky Day with She's The One was a good start when Working On The Highway!!

Just when I thought I'd found relief I was taken back into melancholy with Atlantic City and when Bruce began Incident on 57th Street I cried like a baby!!

The River and Kingdom of Days kept me in tears but finally I was able to shake it off with Twist & Shout... but then realized that the show was over! Bruce gave an absolutely beautiful show in Glasgow. I was happy to get back to Dublin where we enjoyed amazing Fish & Chips at a lovely church courtyard before catching up on some rest before heading off to Roma!!

Thanks for the great times... can't wait to see you in America!

The LUCK of the IRISH ~ For You!!

2009-07-28T04:32:00.010-04:00

What a perfect beginning... here it was the first night of my "Dream Tour" vacation which started in Dublin and Bruce was already granting my number one request: FOR YOU!! Of course it wasn't my sign that won favor but that of a sweet European lady that I spoke with just before the show... thanking her in advance for her request. How happy I was to see Bruce take her sign. I was living a dream... havng just experienced "Who'll Stop The Rain" that surley this Irish summer's down pour would produce! And pour it did... for a good hour before the show... but as if Bruce and his band had the power to control the waters... the rain ceased... though the night remained damp as the music demanded the weather's respect!

Cover Me followed Badlands... and then we struck gold! My Lucky Day!!

How wonderful... what a great song... and what a nice thing to say to somebody! :)

Outlaw Pete is amazing... the scenes on the screens behind the band are wonderful. The team that Bruce has behind him are truly a dream team! I was in awe. It was a beautiful night in Dublin...

Because The Night belongs to us... the energy was just right... it was a happy crowd... enjoying every "ass-breaking" minute of the show but urging Bruce to take it easy as he attempts a second jump after falling during American Land... landing safely... Bruce slows it down a bit with Bobby Jean but quickly picks it back up with Dancing In The Dark... a real European crowd pleaser... then teases us a little before launching into a final song... and with the last note of Twist & Shout... Angie grabs me and reminds me we have to queue up for night 2... RIGHT NOW!! So we rush as fast as we can through a huge crowd... not getting anywhere fast and I feel as though it is useless... I've lost Angie and already taken too much time... but suddenly I look up and Angie is holding up her "Irish" Outlaw Pete hat and I head for it... (no pun intended) and it leads me right to the queue where I add my name to the list... I am number 47... or 74... I don't remember... but either way... not too bad. Rachel and Maaike are nowhere to be found so I get in line again to hold their spot... finally they arrive. The next day they take the rail on the outer catwalk and I take second row in front of Bruce & Stevie!! A quick burst of rain to cool the air and the party begins!! No Surrender/Badlands/Night!! And then again we get My Lucky Day... so perfect! The clouds hinted of rain... but remained respectful to the band's offering as they held back the waters. The sun broke through the clouds. Bruce pointed them out to Stevie as he sang "Gonna chase the clouds away." and like magic it became a sunny day. I didn't even mind that the crowd loved Hungry Heart... and found myself singing along. Youngstown sizzled in Dublin... Spirit In The Night / Prove It All Night and Trapped made the night special but American Skin (41 Shots) and Jungleland took us even higher.

What was even more special was sharing this great show with the wonderful people I had spent so much time with in the pit line... fans who were willing to pay a price to be in front... and now they were being rewarded. I can't remember all of the names... but I will always remember their faces!

As the show ended I looked up into the heavens...
silently praying for that "burst of rain"...

Ciao For Now!!

2009-07-09T08:52:00.006-04:00

Okay... I almost forgot... but I can't leave without wishing you well while I am away. I got this really cute pair of shoes... can't wait to show them to Bruce!!

I'll tell ya all about it when I get back!! Caio for now...

Oh... here's one of my signs:

Point Blank

2009-07-05T11:52:00.010-04:00

To suffer means... to endure... but how can I?? With only a few days until my plane leaves for Europe... I have had to suffer through NOT being at one incredible show after another. Frankfurt was no exeption... it perhaps being the most painful show to have missed... but now... thanks to a very talented fan... there is at least some relief for this agony!!

A very special THANKS to Bruce83Filming !! You Rock!!

Yesterday... as fans quequed early for the Vienna, Austria show...
Bruce stopped by for a 4th of July celebration the crew was having
and joined fans in the queue for pizza... photos and autographs!!
How cool is that?!!

Pretty Woman for Roy

2009-07-03T10:24:00.007-04:00

Munich got a "pretty" treat last night when Bruce granted a special request!!

But how could he miss that sign? Happy Birthday, Roy!!

He's keeping it forever!! lol

Bruce - Smokin' Hot in Glastonbury

2009-06-27T21:54:00.004-04:00

What can I say?

World's Apart

2009-06-24T12:00:00.011-04:00

With only 2 weeks till I board that airplane that will deliver me (safely) into "Part 2" of my "Dream Tour" travels there is only one thing on my mind... I wish I could tell you that it's what shoes I will wear... or if it will rain... but today... my mind and heart is with 2 very brave people that I have come to admire immensely. I don't know their true names and I probably should not use their "twitter" names... but thier exsistance echoes in my heart as I wake with them both on my mind. These 2... I imagine they are young... twitterers are brave... beyond words... and I give them my honor... and my prayers. I have been following them for days now... and I find myself worrying for their safety... and crying with them for their pain and suffering. Here are a few of their last twitter posts... These are to different sources... they are not criminals... they are college students... geeks... twitterers... unified by their desire for freedom.

~ "It was horrible on streets of Tehran. Some our sources picked up last night, our supporters got phone calls 'Who R U'. "

~ "God help us all. We have taken a step towards freedom and many will pay a high price. Long Live Iran."

~ "in Baharestan we saw militia with axe choping ppl like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher - Allah Akbar"

~ "Sea of Green was at every sq, taking on the basij and being beaten until the ground covered in blood. God help Iran"

~ "they catch ppl with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us -"

~ "Lalezar Sq is same as Baharestan - unbelevable - ppls murdered everywhere -"

~ "they pull away the dead into trucks - like factory - no human can do this - we beg Allah for save us -"

~ "Iran's military, Iran's decent police and security, HELP YOUR PPL, don't let them die at the hands of Ahmadinejad."

~ "Everybody is under arrest & cant move - Mousavi - Karroubi even rumour Khatami is in house guard -"

~ "Last night r contacts, v close Khatami, were arrested so cannot confirm if Khatami under hse arrest. God help them."

~ "May you rot in hell Ahmadinejad along side your puppet master Khamenei."

~ "If u see u r about to be stopped, hide your cellphone. Go back for it later. "

~ "thank you ppls 4 supporting Sea of Green - pls remember always our martyrs - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar "

~ "Allah - you are the creator of all and all must return to you - Allah Akbar -"

~ "we must go - dont know when we can get internet - they take 1 of us, they will torture and get names - now we must move fast"

~ "take battery out of your phone, they will be able to track you if U use phone. Be careful."

I want to repeat that these are not criminals... they are college students... geeks... twitterers... unified by their desire for freedom.

What started with the simple question,

"Where's my vote?"

Became blood & tears.

This is For You, Iran... and your beautiful people.

Be safe as you fight for your rights...

I will be praying for you as you seek peace.

Back In Your Arms

2009-06-14T15:12:00.006-04:00

Oh to be in Norway last Tuesday... Amazing... absolutely amazing... I think that this is the best that I've heard Bruce beg... and as he begs that good "thing" back... he proves that he knows how to ask for forgiveness in his intro to Back In Your Arms. Bruce sings it passionately... like he means it... as he escapes... into that secret place where he transcends reality... taking us with him t0 where the only reality is the music... Amazing... All I can say is... I forgive you, Bruce!

A million apologies to my road trip buddy, Rachel as the Finland/Sweden/Norway shows were her choice for our trip but we opted for my choices of Dublin/Scotland/Italy... I'm sorry Rachel... but unless Bruce proves you wrong... I think that you may have been right! :o

Fade Away?

2009-06-08T15:21:00.003-04:00

"You say it's not easy for you... and that you've been so lonely..." Well you'll never have to feel lonely again with this gem at your fingertips!! If you have a weak heart be very careful... because when Bruce gets on his knees... OMG... it gets very HOT in Stockholm!! Please Bruce... you must get up off your knees and stop begging... before I melt!!

Thank you, Bruce and The E Street Band!!

Queen of the Supermarket

2009-06-05T19:59:00.014-04:00

How silly of me to wait till Dublin to begin my European chase... I mean trip to follow the Dream Tour... and I was regretting my choice last night when Bruce and his band played My Lucky Day... and then dreams came true when "The Boss" granted a request for Queen of the Supermarket to a crowd of happy fans!! It was a lucky day indeed the second night of This Stockholm Dream!! It seems as though the "Dream Tour" is just beginning!! I think that this means only one thing (to me) and that is if Working On A Dream is what I want to hear then planning a trip to Europe was/is a very wise choice indeed! I can't wait till July!!

Way to go Bruce... I'm just sorry that you didn't feel comfortable enough in the USA to showcase your Working On A Dream material. Please consider forgiving us grumbly... silly Americans when you return to us at summer's end?

A special "Thank YOU" to Camilla from Sweden for the amazing video!! :D

For You ~ The Main Point

2009-06-03T09:49:00.009-04:00

The Main Point