Main Menu
Classic Rock News And Views
Browse: Classic Rock Gear Classic Rock Ringtones Classic Rock Posters
September 17, 2009
‘The Boss’ Heading For The Break Room
It seems as though we’ve been seeing reviews of Springsteen & Co. shows for the past couple of years, and I suppose that’s because they have spent a great deal of time on the road during that time. There’s no question they they are a 
hard-working band and have succeeded in delighting fans with their live shows throughout North America and Europe.
Nearing the end of their current tour, which – according to guitarist Steven Van Zandt – could be their last, the group plans to take some time off. That “could be the last tour” language is something we’ve heard from other groups comprised of aging rockers. Considering the recent spell of health-related problems that plagued Aerosmith recently and caused them to cancel their tour, it’s understandable that some of these veteran groups are leaving their options open and making no secret of it.
During a recent conference call, Van Zandt didn’t sound certain about the length of the break the group is planning to take, and, as mentioned previously, whether or not the break will become permanent.
“I don’t know how long, one year, year-and-a-half, two years off. This is a good time to see us. We may not be as pretty, [but] we seem to be getting better in funny ways. You never know. This could be be the last tour. We do every show like it’s our last show anyway,” Van Zandt said.
Fans still have a chance to catch Springsteen and his band mates live if they snag tickets to one of the upcoming shows – some of which have yet to go on sale.
There’s still a bit of work left for the group to finish up, including five dates at the famed Giants Stadium in their home state of New Jersey, as well as shows in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C. among others.
More information is available at Live Daily.
May 11, 2009
Author of New Springsteen Book Solicits Fan Input
Author Lawrence Kirsch, already with a Springsteen book to his credit from 2007, is now working on his latest book featuring “The Boss,” and he’s seeking fan input to help tell the story.
Kirsch is obviously a pretty serious Springsteen fan, and as someone who has authored a book about the New Jersey rocker already, the influence that Springsteen has had on his life is undeniable. The author is now curious about how Springsteen and his music has affected the lives of his fellow fans.
Kirsch’s new project, titled The Light in Darkness, is centered on Springsteen’s 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. Kirsch would like to hear from fans whose lives have been influenced by the album, or by the tour that followed its release. Even fans who are too young to recall the release of the album or attend any of the concerts during that period are invited to share their stories that relate to the album.
“I feel that too many fans have the false impression that only those who saw the 1978 tour can contribute,” Kirsch said. “That is definitely not the case. Anyone who is a fan of the album can contribute a story.”
The author is also seeking original 1978 photography and memorabilia.
Fans who would like to contribute a story or find out more about the forthcoming book may visit the official website for the book, at this location.
For more on this story, check out NJ.com.
April 10, 2009
Springsteen Named As ‘Other Man’ In Divorce Suit
Bruce Springsteen has been making headlines recently for a number of reasons, including his current tour, his Super Bowl gig and his public displeasure over the way some tickets to his shows were distributed. This time however, the headline is not something “The Boss” or his family and friends want to see.
A Red Bank New Jersey businessman has begun divorce proceedings, and cites his spouse’s alleged affair with Springsteen as the reason. Arthur Kelly has claims that his wife, from whom he is estranged, “has committed adultery 
with one Bruce Springsteen, who resides in Rumson, N.J., and Colts Neck, N.J., at various times and places too numerous to mention.”
For their part, both Springsteen and Kelly’s wife Ann are denying the allegations. Even Ann Kelly’s father, Steven Carton has weighed in on the issue, saying that his son-and-law and his attorney are just “seeking sensationalism,” and are "dredging up mud that doesn’t exist.”
Carton claims that the only relationship that exists between his daughter and Springsteen are they they happened to be members of the same gym, and have spoken to each other on occasion.
There are also claims of domestic violence being reported in the Kelly household, with one report claiming that Arthur Kelly was removed from the couple’s West Long Branch, NJ home and was charged with simple assault on March 3rd.
On the other side of the coin, this is not the first time that Springsteen has been accused of straying outside the boundaries of martial fidelity. During his marriage to actress Julianna Phillips, he was accused of seducing back-up singer Patti Scialfa, to whom he is currently married.
There were also rumors of a tryst between Springsteen and the widow of a 9/11 victim back in 2006 which bear some similarities to these latest allegations, including the claim that Springsteen and the stunning widow were members of the same gym.
When asked about the most recent allegations made by Arthur Kelly, a spokesman for Springsteen said that the 59-year-old rocker stands by his statement from 2006, when he said the allegations at that time were “unfounded and ugly rumors,” and also added this his marriage "remains as strong as the day we were married."
January 31, 2009
Springsteen Feels Pressure From Fans Over Wal-Mart Deal
As “The Boss” prepares for his half-time performance at the Super Bowl tomorrow, he’s feeling a little heat from some fans who did not see his exclusive deal with Wal-Mart to sell his Greatest Hits CD as a smart move.
Exclusive distribution deals seem to be in vogue these days with other popular groups like the Eagles and AC/DC inking exclusive deals with the retail giant, but with Springsteen’s reputation as an advocate for working folk, there are fans that see this move as hypocritical, since there has been a lot of well-publicized criticism regarding Wal-Mart’s treatment of its employees, or as Wal-Mart likes to call them, “associates.” The company has paid large fines for violations of labor laws in the past.
As a result of the fan backlash, Springsteen has admitted that the Wal-Mart was a mistake. In an interview with the New York Times, Springsteen says, “We were in the middle of doing a lot of things, it kind of came down and, really, we didn’t vet it the way we usually do. We just dropped the ball on it.”
Although Springsteen’s manager defended the Wal-Mart deal (I suppose that’s part of the job) by saying that Springsteen’s albums have been at Wal-Mart for a while already and account for 15 percent of all sales, I’d have to say that “The Boss” deserves some credit for publicly admitting the mistake.
Springsteen want on to say that, “Given its [Wal-Mart’s] labor history, it was something that if we’d thought about it a little longer, we’d have done something different. It was a mistake. Our batting average is usually very good, but we missed that one. Fans will call you on that stuff, as it should be.”
It will be up to each individual fans to judge the validity of Springsteen’s public contrition and whether or not he deserves to maintain his reputation as the working man’s rock star.
January 12, 2009
Springsteen Plans Tour Following Super Bowl Gig
You might think that Bruce Springsteen would be ready for a nice, long rest after coming off the road just a few months ago back in August when Springsteen and his E Street Band wrapped up their Magic tour. Turns out that they are gearing up for another tour that will kick off (no pun intended) sometime after the Super Bowl performance that is coming up on February 1.
The new tour will be supporting the a forthcoming album that is scheduled for release on January 27. Working on A Dream will be Springsteen’s 16th studio album, and he and the band are not wasting any time getting their new music out in front of fans who can expect shows in North America and Europe.
Fans of “The Boss” will also have a unique opportunity to see him perform as part of the Presidential inauguration which will take place on January 20th, and mark the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Springsteen has been very public regarding his support for Obama, announcing that he had endorsed the Illinois Senator back during the spring of 2008.
It is not known whether Springsteen’s inaugural performance will include the E Street Band or whether he will be going solo for that one.
There’s word from National Public Radio that will be of particular interest to Springsteen fans. NPR has confirmed that they will be offering an exclusive, free stream of the new album, Working On a Dream, beginning at midnight on January 19th. Fans can access the stream on the NPR website.
The stream will be available until the album’s official release on January 27th.
