- Updated December 20, 2004 - Ruth Barohn photo

'TIS THE SEASON... TO BE RUNNING LATE?
Last-minute gift-giving? We can help!
For anyone with visions of Springsteen dancing in their heads, Backstreet Records has plenty of stuff to make for some happy holidays. And it's not too late: while our standard-shipping deadline for guaranteed Christmas delivery was December 10, we do offer expedited shipping to anywhere in the U.S. if you need something fast. For delivery by Christmas Eve, we'll be taking expedited orders up until 2:00 p.m. Eastern on December 22. Just be sure to select 2-Day or Overnight shipping during the checkout process if you need an order to arrive before Christmas! (Expedited orders placed by 2 p.m. Eastern are always processed that day; if placed on 12/22 by 2 p.m., 2-day orders will arrive on 12/24, and overnight orders will arrive on 12/23.) Visit our online shop now!
- December 17, 2004

DECKING THE HALLS AT HARRY'S
'Tis two nights before Christmas shows, and all through the roadhouse... okay, we'll stop there. But preparations are underway for Bruce's first-ever holiday jams at Harry's, at 4:30 and 8:30 on Sunday. Festivities will start earlier in the day, with surrounding streets closed to traffic and stores open for holiday shopping. Inside Harry's Roadhouse, it's no smoking, with full bar but no food service. Outside, food carts will be serving up hot cider, sausage, burgers and the like, from 1 to 11 p.m. Stores will be open late, too. If you're a lucky ticketholder, the plan is for 2 alphabetical lines to form an hour before each show. Check concertseast.com for any additional concert information.

If Ticketmaster shut you out, don't forget it's not too late to enter the ticket contest in Asbury Park. Visitors to Asbury Park merchants can fill out an entry form (the limit is one entry per merchant per day) for a chance to win one of ten pairs of tickets -- plus a meet & greet with the man himself. The contest runs through Saturday, December 18 at 5 p.m., when a drawing will be held and winners notified by phone. (More details and rules can be found at asburyguild.com and cityofasburypark.com.) If you're in the area, check the list of participating merchants and get going!
- December 17, 2004

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A HOLIDAY SHOW!
Two of them, in fact -- both 12/19, onsale 12/13
With a second show added today, Springsteen now has two Asbury Park holiday benefits scheduled for December 19: an early show at 4:30 p.m., and a late show at 8:30 p.m. A few changes this year: the proceedings are moving off the boardwalk and getting even more intimate, held for the first time at Harry's Roadhouse; and there's no mention of the Max Weinberg 7, with the official billing for this "Christmas Jam" listed as "Bruce Springsteen with Bobby Bandiera and Friends." But as usual, the concerts will raise funds for local charities and organizations.

Merchants contest: Harry's is just down Cookman Avenue from Antic Hay Books, where Bruce held his book signing this past summer, and there's a similar contest this time around: Springsteen is offering a free pair of tickets and the opportunity to meet him to 10 fans who shop in Asbury Park between Saturday morning, December 4 and Saturday afternoon, December 18. Check asburyguild.com and cityofasburypark.com for rules, merchants, and further contest details.

Ticket alert: Tickets for both shows go on sale this Monday, December 13, at 10 a.m. Eastern, through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone only. For additional onsale details and rules, check our tour/ticket info page.
- Updated December 10, 2004

GRAMMY LIKES THE SOUND OF "SILENCE"
Grammy nominations were announced today, and with this year's eligibility beginning in October 2003, that put The Essential Bruce Springsteen in the running. Springsteen scored a "Solo Rock Vocal Performance" nomination for that album's "Code of Silence." His distinguished competition: Ryan Adams, "Wonderwall"; Steve Earle, "The Revolution Starts Now"; Melissa Etheridge, "Breathe"; and Tom Waits, "Metropolitan Glide." The 47th Annual Grammy Awards will be presented on February 13.
- December 7, 2004

SANTA CLAUS COMES TO STEELTOWN
Flood Aid '04, benefitting Pennsylvanians who suffered damage from Hurricane Ivan in September, brought Joe Grushecky and Bruce Springsteen together again, less than a month after their Light of Day performance -- and this time, on Joe's home turf. Just across the river from PNC Park, Springsteen's last stop in Pittsburgh, the December 2 Flood Aid featured a similar batch of songs as LOD5 at the Pony, but in a vastly different setting: a beautiful old theater with chandeliers, red carpet and gold trim. With wreaths hung and egg nog sold in the lobby, we got our official start of the holidays with the show-closing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." That was the setlist's only nod to the season, but far from its only treat. Springsteen first joined Exit 105 for "All Along the Watchtower" (no Neil Young this time, but a strong performance). Later, before the Houserockers took the stage, Bruce turned in a surprise three-song solo set featuring a rare solo-acoustic performance of "Land of Hope and Dreams" (first played at the 2001 Clearwater Festival). It was a respectful, pin-drop crowd for "If I Should Fall Behind" and "For You" as well, the latter dedicated to "all the old fans." Afterward, Springsteen played the entire headline set with Joe & the Houserockers, including many of the duo's standards like "Code of Silence" and "Never Be Enough Time," with Boccigalupe joining in on keyboards for "Murder Inc." Springsteen's own songs in the set included "Johnny 99," "Atlantic City," "This Hard Land," and -- the "goosebump moment" of the night -- "Factory." While a stripped-down version has turned up at E Street Band shows semi-regularly in recent years, it's been a while since most had heard it like this, as Grushecky noted in an intro. After the penultimate "Lucky Town," the stage filled with many of the night's performers -- as well as Jesse Malin and his band, some elves, and Santa himself -- for the typically and joyously chaotic finale.

- Updated December 3, 2004 - Mike Beder photo

MAKIN' A LIST, CHECKIN' IT TWICE...
Where's Blitzen, baby? Holiday shopping with Backstreet Records!
Alas, there's no official Springsteen calendar for 2005, which upsets a lot of gift-giving plans, we know... but if you're looking for Boss gifts for the holidays, we can help. Our online catalog is packed with a wide variety of Springsteen stuff, just waiting for a stocking near you. We've just added a bunch of new goodies to our shelves, including new Backstreets baseball caps and stickers, a new CD from Southside Johnny, Save Tillie T-shirts... check our latest arrivals page for more.

And then there's our regular stock, with more official CDs, videos, books, vinyl, and concert shirts than you can shake a stick at. The gift that keeps on giving, of course, is a subscription to Backstreets Magazine-- and using our online gift subscription form, you can type in a message to go on the gift card that will accompany your lucky giftee's first issue. Back issues of Backstreets make a fine stocking stuffer, too. And whether you're looking to spend a little ("Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" on CD-single) or a lot (limited edition Days of Hope and Dreams hardcover with print), we've surely got something that'll fit the bill.

The Big Payback: When you order from Backstreet Records, your hard-earned money directly supports Backstreets.com, BTX, and Backstreets Magazine -- and since we've kept advertising minimal, magazine subscription prices low, and all this online muckety-muck free of charge, that support really makes a difference.

Run, Run, Rudolph!: For orders placed by December 10, we can guarantee standard delivery to any U.S. address will arrive in time for Christmas. If you order after that date, or simply need something faster, we offer 2-day and Overnight service at a reeeeasonable price. Of course, we ship all over the world, and while we can't guarantee the timing of an international shipment (if you're having something sent outside of the U.S., we recommend ordering as early as possible if you're hoping for delivery before Christmas), we'll be working hard this holiday season to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Check out our online catalog, thanks as always for your support, and have a happy Thanksgiving!
- November 23, 2004

A BIRTHDAY WITH THE KRANKS Little Steven, born on 11/22/50, celebrates the big 5-4 with this week's release of his Christmas with the Kranks soundtrack -- a set of holiday songs in the spirit of his Underground Garage, by artists from Brenda Lee and Elvis to the Raveonettes and Chesterfield Kings. Plus (former Disciple of Soul) Jean Beauvoir and, of course, the Ramones. The soundtrack includes one Van Zandt composition, "Navidad," with six songs he arranged and produced. Your own portable holiday show? We can't vouch for the flick, but who better to put together a rockin' holiday record than the coolest DJ in the USA. Congrats and happy birthday, Steve!

PLAY YOUR PART: HUNGERTHON '04
30 Thanksgivings running, W.H.Y. helps the hungry
With Thanksgiving just days away, it's Hungerthon time again... Each year since 1975, World Hunger Year (historically one of Springsteen's favorite charities) joins together with radio stations, corporations, and individual donors to fight the hunger and poverty problem that affects 36 million Americans and 842 million people throughout the world. Visit the Hungerthon website to find out more about the annual event and what you can do to help. And don't miss some cool stuff in their benefit auction, including a couple of signed guitars from Springsteen.
- November 22, 2004

TICKET ALERT: FLOOD AID '04
Ticket sale moved to Tuesday, 11/23, at 8 a.m.
Here's a curve-ball for anyone hoping for December benefits from Springsteen: holiday shows in Asbury Park may not be in the cards, but Springsteen still has an eye on helping those in need next month. On December 2 he'll play Flood Aid '04 in Pittsburgh, PA, to help victims of the September 17 flooding. Less than a month after their Light of Day appearance together, Springsteen and Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers will share the stage again, this time in Joe's backyard, for this benefit show at Heinz Hall. According to a Flood Aid press release, "A similarly formatted set is expected."

Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts (600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA) is home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and seats roughly 2,660. Springsteen, Grushecky & the Houserockers will be headlining, with shorter opening performances from Jill West & Blues Attack, Bill Deasy with Rob James, B.E. Taylor, Rick Witkowski, Johnny Grushecky & the Johns, and Exit 105.

Tickets will go on sale this coming Tuesday, November 23, at 8 a.m., at the Heinz Hall box office, by phone at (412) 392-4900, and online at www.pittsburghsymphony.org. Ticket prices are $150, $100, and $75. Watch for any additional ticket information prior to the onsale, on our tour/ticket info page and at www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

Added 11/22: event seating chart.

Proceeds from the benefit concert will go to the Salvation Army to help victims of the flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan, which damaged more than 10,000 residences in September. According to the press release, "One of the immediate goals of the flood relief effort is to provide new furnaces for the many residents whose basement heating systems were destroyed by the flood waters. With winter setting in the need for heating solutions is urgent." As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, after their Light of Day performance together, Grushecky told Springsteen "how devastated everything was in these lower economic, working-class towns, that a lot of people had lost everything, that businesses had been destroyed. And he said, 'I'll do whatever it takes to help you.'... It was pretty much that simple." Read more in the Post-Gazette.
- Updated November 22, 2004

SUNDAY WITH STEFANKO
Fans of Darkness/The River photographer Frank Stefanko's work can catch a rare appearance from him this weekend in New Jersey. On Sunday, November 21, at noon, Frank will be speaking and signing his Days of Hope and Dreams book at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County (100
Grant Road, Deal Park [Ocean Township], NJ). The event is part of their Festival of Books, Culture and the Arts; admission of seven bucks includes brunch, and Frank will bringing some of his original photos, too. Reservations can be made by calling the JCC at (732) 531-9100, extension 180.
- November 17, 2004

THE BIG MAN AND THE HITTER
Clarence Clemons on cable tellyvision
After a blink-and-you'd-miss-it appearance earlier this season, Clarence gets some good screen time on this week's episode of HBO's The Wire, as a social worker helping an ex-con get back on his feet and start a boxing gym. The episode (#33: "Moral Midgetry") premiered last night, with repeat airings this week.
- November 15, 2004

A BOULDER ON HIS SHOULDER?
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mighty Max
As Conan O'Brien told Late Night viewers this week, Max Weinberg is currently recovering from a broken collarbone. According to the New York Daily News, the injury happened during a post-election football game at Senator John Kerry's place. The good news, according to the paper: "He's expected back at work next week." Here's hoping!

You can listen to a recent interview with Max at Conversations Online, talking to rock historian Glenn Gass at Indiana University Bloomington in late October.
- November 12, 2004

ASBURY CONDOS: "THE RISING"? SAY IT AIN'T SO!
It ain't. But watch for "Frankie's Frankfurters"...
"The Rising" was being used as the name of a new Asbury Park condominum, until a letter from Springsteen changed developers' minds.

"'The Rising' was written in the shadow of September 11th and should remain connected to the heartbreak and courage of that day," Springsteen wrote in a letter to Asbury Park's triCityNews. "...I respectfully ask the city fathers and developers to place both my and my song's names out of the running for any new buildings, streets, hot dog stands (well, maybe hot dog stands) as the city moves toward its exciting future."

Read the Associated Press story "The Boss gets name change for 'The Rising' condominiums."
- November 8, 2004 - Mike Hayes photo

SOWING SEEDS FOR PDF AT 5th ANNUAL LIGHT OF DAY
Springsteen and Grushecky together again, Nov. 6
Above: Bob Benjamin and Springsteen / Ruth Barohn photo
For the fifth year running, Springsteen played the Light of Day benefit for the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, jamming on Saturday night with Joe Grushecky and his band (including son Johnny) for an hour and a half. Four songs into the Houserockers' set, at 1:00 a.m., Bruce joined in starting on "Idiot's Delight" (a Springsteen/Grushecky co-write with a St. Peter's-eye-view of Earthly goings-on) followed by a Stone Pony-rocking "From Small Things." In addition to some of the standard Bruce & Joe fare -- like "Murder Inc.", "Code of Silence," "Never Be Enough Time," "Johnny 99" (a highlight), "Mustang Sally," etc. -- Springsteen added a couple to the repertoire. Making their LOD debuts along with "Idiot's Delight" were "Atlantic City" (with Boccigalupe turning in fine work on keyboards) and, another high point of the night, a powerful "This Hard Land." For anyone looking for some kind of post-election statement, these songs also held riches, from "Maybe everything that dies someday comes back" to "Stay alive if you can, and meet me in a dream of this hard land."

Some in the crowd wanted their say as well. After "This Hard Land," Light of Day organizer Bob Benjamin -- who started Light of Day five years ago, organizes the benefits each year, and has Parkinson's himself -- was presented with a birthday cake; he made a speech in which he addressed stem cell research and the outcome of the election, and praised Springsteen for standing up for what he believes in. That's when a few audience members started chanting "Four more years!" We don't think they were talking about Light of Day 9. One Pony-goer told us: "It was a little weird, and that's coming from a guy who voted for Bush. It was ugly. Almost Terence Trent D'arby ugly." Benjamin tells Backstreets that the chant didn't register much onstage, where they were "more concerned about what the encore was going to be." Bruce and crew kept pushin' to the encores with "Light of Day," the birthday boy taking vocals as per LOD tradition, and closed out the night at 2:30 a.m. with "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." Other artists from the night joined in for the big encore jam including JoBonanno, Danny White, and Willie Nile. Correction: Michael J. Fox was not present, as previously reported.

To contribute to the fight against Parkinson's Disease, visit www.pdf.org.

A BANNER POSTING
Springsteen's first public reaction to the election came on Friday evening, when his interpretation of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was posted on brucespringsteen.net. The wordless, 12-string rendition of the National Anthem will be familiar to anyone who saw the Vote for Change tour, though to our surprise, this is a studio version. We'll leave any political or emotional interpretations up to you, but one thing that strikes us: other than album previews, this is the first time Springsteen has used the internet to air new, unreleased material. We like it. Listen in Windows Media (broadband) - Windows Media (dial-up) - QuickTime - Real Audio.
- November 6, 2004

TALKING 'BOUT THE WEEKEND, SCRUBBING OFF THE DIRT
On Wednesday night, Nightline aired a brief interview with Springsteen from November 1 in Cleveland, bookending his Vote for Change activity with a Ted Koppel follow-up. "I've been glad to be able to be out here," Bruce said of being on the campaign trail, "it's been inspiring." Prodded to address any "cost," he told Koppel, "Oh, I don't think so... I've gotten a lot more out of it than whatever the flip-side of it might be." On this election eve, before knowing that 51 percent of U.S. voters would not Vote for Change, Springsteen looked ahead to the next day and beyond: "Tomorrow I'm going to return to my job as mild-mannered rock musician."

So off goes the cape and on go the glasses... and while there are no guarantees, it wouldn't be a surprise if the rocking resumed this weekend. The fifth annual Light of Day concerts begin tonight at the Stone Pony -- Springsteen guested each of the previous four years -- with Gary U.S. Bonds and Jesse Malin among many on the bill for the first of three shows. For a full schedule and more information, visit Lightofday.org. Also check out the Home News Tribune's front page story on show organizer Bob Benjamin.
- November 5, 2004

BRUCE'S PICK
Last night in the battleground state of Ohio, on the eve of the election, Springsteen joined John Kerry for their fourth rally together. Senator (and astronaut) John Glenn introduced Springsteen, who laughed as he took the stage, "Senator, you made me feel like I blasted off into space! Like I went around the world!" In addition to "The Promised Land" and campaign theme "No Surrender," which Bruce played at the previous rallies, Bruce added a third song, an acoustic "Thunder Road" as a special dedication: "I met a lady tonight, Kristen Breitweiser, who is actually a neighbor of mine, just a few minutes away from me in New Jersey. And she was one of the 9/11 widows known as the Jersey Girls, who, when the administration was stonewalling the 9/11 Commission, held their feet to the fire and got the truth out. So I want to do this tonight for her."

After "Thunder Road," Springsteen gave a stirring speech, longer and more fleshed-out for this final rally than we'd heard before, including a call for "an open American government that's unburdened by unnecessary secrecy."

As a songwriter, I've been writing about America for 30 years: who we are, what we stand for, what we fight for -- these ideas are what's at stake tomorrow. I believe our American government has drifted too far from American values: The human principles of economic justice, healing the sick, health care, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, a living wage so folks don't have to break their backs and then come home and not be able to make ends meet, an open American government that's unburdened by unnecessary secrecy, protection of our environment, sane and responsible foreign policy where we take our place amongst a community of nations, civil rights and the safeguarding of our precious democracy here at home. This is what we're fighting for tomorrow.

Now, nobody's got all of the answers to all of America's problems. And when John Kerry wins tomorrow [cheering], it's just the beginning of the work that we need to do ourselves to create a humane American society. I got involved in this election because I saw the opportunity to have somebody in the White House with a heart, that would honestly ask the hard questions, that would respect our most struggling citizens, and a spirit that would seek the solutions to bring us closer to fulfilling America's promise for everybody. I believe that Senator Kerry honors these ideals, and that he'll work for them. He's lived our history over the past 50 years, he has an informed and adult view of America and her people. And he's had the life experience and understands that we as humans, we are not infallible, that we make mistakes. And as Senator Edwards said during the Democratic Convention, that struggle and heartbreak will always be with us, and that's why we need each other. That's why we need to be able to depend on and keep faith with one another through hard times and good times. That's why "One Nation Indivisible" and "United We Stand" can't be empty slogans, but need to remain guding principles of our public policy.

I was speaking to Senator Glenn the other night, and he said that politics is supposed to be the Personnel Department of the Constitution. It is supposed to be shining service. And that's why we need good, wise, and trustworthy servants to put our ideals in action. Senator Kerry, since he was a young man, has shown us by having the courage to face America's hard truths, both the good and the bad, that that's where we find a deeper patriotism, we find a more complete view of who we are, we find a more authentic experience as citizens, and that's where we find the power that is embedded only in truth to make our world a better and safer place for our kids to grow up in. These are the things that have brought me here tonight.

Paul Wellstone, the Minnesota senator, said, "The future is for the passionate." That's right. And those that are willing to fight and work hard for it. Well, the future is now. It's time to roll up your sleeves and let your passions flow in the service of a more just and equitable society. That's why I'm here to stand alongside Senator Kerry and to tell you that the country we carry in our hearts is waiting. So tomorrow, get Grandma, get Ma, get Pa, get 'em all out there and vote! We've had a sax player, I think it's time for a guitar player in the White House!"

When John Kerry took the stage, the candidate began with words of thanks, including these for Springsteen and for an impromptu gift from the Boss:

Finally, but obviously not least importantly, I want to say thank you to that special fellow who has sung anthems across America for 30 years. He is a poet... [Brooocing from the crowd] You got it! [laughs]... He's a great poet, he sings from his heart, he writes from his heart, and he writes about real people and the struggles of life itself. We love him, we know him as the Boss: Bruce Springsteen, thank you so much for being here. I've been a fan of his for a long time, and I'll tell you what, I may be running for President of the United States, but we all know who the Boss really is. I gotta tell you, when George Bush heard that the Boss was going to be showing up with me, he thought they meant Dick Cheney! I also want you to know that as I came up here, Bruce gave me something that's about as special to me as anything I get. You may think I'm crazy for saying this, but he gave me his pick. He said, "Take it to the White House, this is gonna bring you good luck!" And I'll tell you, this pick is going to play in the White House. Here it is! The lucky pick!

- November 2, 2004 - photo by Mike Beder

WHAT ARE YOU DOING ELECTION EVE?
After a rally this afternoon in Detroit (where Stevie Wonder is scheduled to play), John Kerry will be joined again by Bruce Springsteen tonight for the Election Eve Rally in Cleveland. Tivo/VCR Alert: tonight's rally is scheduled to be broadcast live on C-SPAN.

And tomorrow, Uncle Sam Wants You... don't forget to Vote!
- November 1, 2004

The GA Scoop: Minor opening night glitches aside, the general admission line was a pretty smooth one and served as a good indication of how upcoming shows will work. The main things to know: no lining up before 3:00 pm, no fan- or third-party lists honored. Numbered wristbands are given out between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm, with a lottery to determine order of entry for the first 400 people who get access to the pit. Be sure to have your ticket and i.d. with you. Refer to venue websites for upcoming shows to see if any rules might differ. In Philly, wristbands were handed out in a very orderly fashion starting at 3:00 pm. A lottery number was selected at 4:50 pm to reorder the line, and fans began to be let in at 5:30 pm.

The Schedule: (as it happened on opening night)
Bruce's first appearance: 7:42
Bright Eyes: 7:45 - 8:15
R.E.M.: 8:30 - 9:30
Springsteen/E Street Band/Forgerty: 10 - midnight

Bruce played MC as well as headliner, appearing on stage very shortly after the 7:30 ticketed start time with REM's Michael Stipe to greet the crowd. Bruce officially declared a "No BRUUUCE Zone," saying "I will come out and slap you silly. We have too much great music tonight. No BRUUUCING!" He also set out the overall mission of the night: to "fight for a government that is open, forward-looking, rational, and humane -- and we plan to rock the joint while doing so." Next, Bruce introduced opening act Bright Eyes as "someone whose record floored me when it came out."
After a solid 30-minute Bright Eyes set, Springsteen returned around 8:30 to introduce REM by saying that they had inspired him for the last 20 years. An hour later, Bruce came back out to share lead vocals with Stipe on the set-closing "Man on the Moon," having fun goofing on Elvis. Hey baby!
Just after 10:00, Bruce and the E Street Band took the stage for a two-hour set....

See our setlists page for the full performance report from this opening night, and beyond.

- Updated October 2, 2004 - Deb Carvalho Photo

SPRINGSTEEN HITS THE SPEED LIMIT... ...turning 55 on September 23. Happy birthday, Bruce!

NEW SPRINGSTEEN INTERVIEW IN ROLLING STONE
The October 14 issue of Rolling Stone features an Q&A with Bruce by Jann Wenner, in which Springsteen talks more about the upcoming Vote for Change tour, now just 9 days away. "I don't know if someone is going to run to the front of the stage and shout, 'I'm saved' or 'I'm switching,' but I'm going to try. I will be calling anyone in a bow tie to come to the front of the stage, and I'll see what I can do." Read it now online.
- September 22, 2004

- September 22, 2004

37 YEARS LATER, THE CASTILES GET RADIO PLAY
NPR features unearthed '67 Left Foot tape
In September 1967, Episcopal priest Fred Coleman hired the Castiles (featuring 18-year-old Bruce Springsteen) to play two shows at the new Freehold, NJ teen center, the Left Foot. Not only that -- he taped the shows. This made news last month, when Coleman came across the reel-to-reel tapes in a closet. Now, fans everywhere have a chance to hear some of this early Springsteen performance, on the Thursday September 16 edition of NPR's "All Things Considered." The 16th, not so incidentally, is the 37th anniversary of the Castiles' opening performance at the Left Foot. The broadcast includes interviews with Coleman as well as Castiles George Theiss and Bob Alfano. And, of course, a first listen to these tapes that had been gathering dust for more than 30 years.

Listen online: The NPR website now has an extended version of the story, featuring three longer snippets from the Castiles recordings with Bruce on lead vocals: "Mr. Jones" (written by Springsteen and organist Alfano), plus covers of Donovan's "Catch the Wind" and Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne." You'll also find longer interviews with Alfano, Theiss, and Charles R. Cross.
- Updated September 17, 2004

BRUCE STANDS UP AS PATTI'S TOUR GETS UNDERWAY
Patti Scialfa and her band -- still featuring E Streeters Nils Lofgren and Soozie Tyrell -- began their five-city tour last night, with a show on the Asbury Park boardwalk that evenly mixed material from Rumble Doll and 23rd Street Lullaby. And an "only in Asbury Park" treat for the Paramount Theatre crowd: special guest Mr. Patti Scialfa. Springsteen shared a mic with Nils, playing a 12-string Telecaster on "As Long As I (Can Be With You)" and taking an extended lead on "Love (Stand Up)." Patti told the audience that they shouldn't go on the internet and say he'll be in Boston, because he won't. Bruce leaned into her mic and said, "I got kids to watch!" (Michael Brazinksi photo)

"MY FRIEND SEAN PENN IS VERY COOL."
Springsteen honors Penn with 2004 Steinbeck Award
Backstreets subscriber Matthew Koontz reports:
Sean Penn received the 2004 John Steinbeck Award on Friday at The San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts. Prior to the award presentation, Peter Coyote conducted an onstage interview with the actor. The talk was interrupted several times by loud applause as the audience seemed to appreciate the artist's passion for his craft and the state of the world today.

After the interview, San Jose State's acting president took over realm of the podium to express to a confession. "But I will not be presenting this award to Sean tonight... Instead, they arranged to fly in the first recipient of the Steinbeck Award..." At that point my girlfriend and I seemed to be the only ones in the audience who knew what was unfolding before our eyes as we "Bruuuced" the mystery presenter onto the stage. "All the way from New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen!"

Springsteen discussed Penn's coolness and authenticity and expressed his general admiration for the actor (despite the fact that Penn briefly dated Springsteen's sister). Penn more than returned the compliments, citing the Boss as "one of the most important creative inspirations in my life."

For more, see today's article in the San Francisco Chronicle.
- September 13, 2004