Brucebase 1975

05/01/75 – THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, N.J.

No set details known. Guest performance by Bruce (and some members of The E Street Band) during a show by THE BLACKBERRY BOOZE BAND (led by Southside Johnny and Steve Van Zandt).

12/01/75 – THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, N.J.

No set details known. Guest performance by Bruce (and some members of The E Street Band) during a show by THE BLACKBERRY BOOZE BAND (led by Southside Johnny and Steve Van Zandt).

19/01/75 – THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, N.J.

No set details known. Guest performance by Bruce (and some members of The E Street Band) during a show by THE BLACKBERRY BOOZE BAND (led by Southside Johnny and Steve Van Zandt).

05/02/75 – THE MAIN POINT, BRYN MAWR, PA

MC intro – INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (8.10) / MOUNTAIN OF LOVE (2.56) / BORN TO RUN (4.15) / E ST SHUFFLE (12.26) / THUNDER ROAD (5.34) / I WANT YOU (6.00) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (5.52) / SHE’S THE ONE (5.50) / GROWIN’ UP (3.10) / SAINT IN THE CITY (3.18) / JUNGLELAND (9.26) / KITTY’S BACK (11.10) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (16.58) / ROSALITA (10.09) / SANDY (6.17) / A LOVE SO FINE (7.13) / FOR YOU (7.03) / BACK IN THE USA (6.17)

ONE show, held as a benefit for the club, with Springsteen & The ESB the sole act on the bill. The show was MC’d by DJ Ed Sciaky and began just after 9pm. It was not a true simulcast, rather it was broadcast by WMMR-FM on about a 2hr delay the same night. An attendee review of the show from 1975 by critic David Fricke (see NEWS below) states the show took place on Feb 3rd – but this appears to be a date error by Fricke given detailed interview comments by Sciaky (see below) and the recollections of other attendees.

The complete show was broadcast and the above-noted 18-song setlist represents the entire concert. Not only is it one of the longest (160 minutes) single-show gigs up to this point but it’s one of the most compelling performances of Springsteen’s entire career. There are spellbinding renditions of “Incident”, “New York City Serenade” and “For You”, as well as the earliest known performance of “Thunder Road” (with work-in-progress title/lyrics) plus a wild, majestic version of Chuck Berry’s “Back In The USA”.

This famous show had circulated on vinyl boots and tapes since the mid-1970’s, but rarely the entire show (early vinyl boots were missing the final 6 songs in the setlist) and always in variable quality. The entire performance is now available in outstanding (though not flawless) sound quality on the CDs ‘THE SAINT, THE INCIDENT & THE MAIN POINT SHUFFLE’ (Gdr), ‘YOU CAN TRUST YOUR CAR’ (Labor of Love) and most recently (and in the finest overall quality yet) on ‘MAIN POINT NIGHT’ (Crystal Cat).

The final 55 minutes or so of this show (i.e., from “NYC Serenade” onwards) has never surfaced in collector circles in quite as crisp, clear and dynamic a sound quality as the rest of the show. There are a couple of possible explanations for this but the most likely reason is that the early part of the show has been sourced from pre-broadcast reels (or copies of them) but the later part of the show is sourced from a broadcast reel (which involves compression). In an interview in Backstreets Magazine #82 Ed Sciaky mentioned some important information — “We didn’t have a phone line from the Main Point, so they had to tape the show in hour-long segments and then drive them to the station and put them on the air…and after the final reel had played, Bruce’s lighting guy Marc Brickman (nb – the Lighting Director) took all of the tapes. So we (WMMR) never got a good copy of the show”. Note: Contrary to myth the police siren heard at the conclusion of “Incident” was an audio prop that had been utilized at a few of Bruce’s shows just prior to this one (i.e., it wasn’t a real vehicle). Also – a promotion-only, 7” flexidisc issued to subscribers of Austrian pop magazine ‘Rennbahn Express’ in June 1981 contains MC Sciaky’s intro from this show, albeit edited to avoid references to WMMR and The Main Point. Thanks to Lost in the flood for that fexidisc info.

Bruce seriously airborne at The Main Point on Feb 5, 1975. Photo by the late, great Phil Ceccola

06/02/75 – WIDENER COLLEGE, CHESTER, PA

INCIDENT ON 52ND STREET / GROWIN UP / SAINT IN THE CITY / KITTY’S BACK / ROSALITA / SANDY

ONE show, held in the 1,500-seat Widener Field House, with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill. This first of two consecutive nights at Widener was not quite a sellout. Due to the notoriously bad sound in the school’s Field House, Mike Appel had engaged a local contractor to install echo-suppressing material along the walls and roof of the Gymansium. A few hours before the show Appel learned that this material was highly flammable – and a mad scramble ensued to re-position the material to be out of possible reach of the crowd. This caused the start of the opening night’s show to be delayed for over 90 minutes. The material functioned reasonably well and the 2hr+ show was a roaring success. The school’s newspaper reported that Suki Lahav had to be treated for exhaustion after this show, although she recuperated in time for the following night’s performance. The above-mentioned partial setlist comes from a newspaper review. THERE IS NO CIRCULATING AUDIO FROM THIS SHOW, although various permutations of audio from 07/02/75 are sometimes linked to this show.

Clarence, Bruce and Garry at Widener on Feb 6, 1975. Photo by Joe Quinn. By kind permission of Widener University Special Collections.

07/02/75 – WIDENER COLLEGE, CHESTER, PA

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (8.26)/ MOUNTAIN OF LOVE (3.12)/ BORN TO RUN (4.33)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.44)/ I WANT YOU / THUNDER ROAD (6.18)/ KITTYS BACK (11.41)/ NYC SERENADE (2.57)/ ROSALITA (1.10)/ SANDY

ONE show, held in the 1,500-seat Widener Field House, with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill. This second night at Widener was a sellout. Video from this show has been in circulation since at least the late 1970’s. The detail surrounding this video production has long been a source of speculation. For many years the circulating specimens of the footage were uniformly poor in quality. However portions of the video were shown in Spingsteen TV documentaries in the 1990’s and the quality was significantly better than anything seen before in collecting circles. This has lent weight to a long held rumor that this footage (far from emanating from a shadowy fan) may have been shot by Widener students involved in a film making course – and that there may have been some pre-arranged conditional approval to film the concert from the Springsteen camp.

The partial setlist mentioned above is from an audio source generally believed to be directly associated with the film footage (i.e., a soundtrack). Portions of the film footage are known to have been circulating among the Widener community as early as 1976. As is the case with the video footage, there are numerous bootlegged variations of the audio source in circulation, of varying quality and individual track completeness. However these “variations” seem to be minor – all incorporate the same 9 songs from a show that featured approximately 16 songs in total.

Clarence & Bruce and a rare shot of Suki & Bruce – both from the Feb 7, 1975 show. Photos by Joe Quinn. By kind permission of Widener University Special Collections.

22/07/75 – GENEVA THEATRE, GENEVA, NY

SOUNDCHECK:

NEEDLES AND PINS / YOU REALLY GOT ME / CRY TO ME / LET THE FOUR WINDS BLOW / SOOTHE ME / NYC SERENADE / HIGHER AND HIGHER – TOTAL TIME (18.43)

CONCERT:

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.15)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.13)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.28)/ GROWING UP (3.11)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (4.15)/ E ST SHUFFLE (11.04)/ SHES THE ONE (4.30)/ BORN TO RUN (4.01)/ KITTYS BACK (14.32)/ NYC SERENADE (14.24)/ ROSALITA (11.58)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.23)/ A LOVE SO FINE (INC SOOTH ME/SHOUT) (10.32)/ SHA LA LA (2.34)/ QUARTER TO THREE (cut)(0.56)

Audience tape of both the show and its soundcheck. The S/C audio is very muddy but includes complete versions of “You Really Got Me” and “Cry To Me”. The arrangement of “Higher and Higher” is different to later concert versions. This concert had originally been scheduled for July 12th but then moved forward to July 11th. However due to delays in completing the BTR album this gig was first bumped back to July 18th and then delayed again and played on July 22nd. Tickets for July 12th were never used. A new set was printed for July 11th and then changed by hand. During the show Bruce jokes to the crowd about new member Miami Steve messing up his parts in the songs, lyrics and dance steps.

28/07/75 – CARTER BARRON AMPHITHEATRE, WASHINGTON, DC

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / E ST SHUFFLE / SAINT IN THE CITY / SHES THE ONE / THUNDER ROAD / BORN TO RUN / UP ON THE ROOF / KITTY’S BACK / NYC SERENADE / ROSALITA

Audience tape – Incomplete setlist – date confirmed, may be the first Up On The Roof. Available on CDR with the same incomplete set as above. Thanks to Chris for the info.

29/07/75 – RADIO STATION WHFS-FM, BETHESA, MARYLAND

Brief, 15-minute in-station interview (no musical performance) with DJ Donald “Cerphie” Colwell. In limited circulation.

29/07/75 – CARTER BARRON AMPHITHEATRE, WASHINGTON, DC

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.29) / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.40) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.00) / E STREET SHUFFLE (12.26) / GROWIN’ UP (2.59) / SAINT IN THE CITY (4.26) / SHES THE ONE (4.09, end cut) / FUNK SONG (7.33) / BORN TO RUN (4.13) / KITTYS BACK (14.45) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (cut)(15.37) / ROSALITA (10.51) / CAROL (4.00) / A LOVE SO FINE (6.01)

The above-mentioned 14-song setlist is culled from an audience recording of the show most recently released on CD “TALENT AND FEELING” (CU Records). NOTE: It is believed there were two songs (“Sandy” and “Quarter To Three”) performed near the end of the show that seem to be missing from the circulating audio. This show includes a long version of the rare 1971 Springsteen instrumental “Funk Song” (previous played on 23/07/75).

30/07/75 – CARTER BARRON AMPHITHEATRE, WASHINGTON, DC

No set details known. No known audio. The weather for the previous night’s show here (29th) was fine, but either the opening night (28th) or the closing night (30th) of this 3-night outdoor venue residency was seriously disrupted by heavy rain and took several hours to complete. The circumstantial evidence seems to point to this final night. WHFS-FM DJ Donald “Cerphe” Colwell, who’d MC’d an in-station Springsteen performance (see listing for 02/06/73), has commented about the infamous storm-affected show: “Bruce played three nights at Carter Barron in Rock Creek Park. During one of the shows, about an hour into his performance, it began raining. This was an outdoor show and because Carter Barron is inside a National Park, everything is controlled by the US Park Police. They have rules and regulations regarding shows in the rain and they wanted it stopped. Bruce paced around backstage pleading for the show to go on. The rain started and stopped three times… finally, the stage was dried off and a soaked-to-the-skin audience got the performance of their life. People who were there still email or call on my radio show to reminisce about that legendary rainy night”

08/08/75 – CIVIC THEATRE, AKRON, OH

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.32) / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.36) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.11) / E STREET SHUFFLE (12.43) / THEN SHE KISSED ME (2.50)/ GROWIN’ UP (3.10) / SAINT IN THE CITY (5.09) / UP ON THE ROOF (4.02) / SHE’S THE ONE (4.46) / BORN TO RUN (4.07) / BACKSTREETS (6.41) / FUNK SONG (4.05) / KITTY’S BACK (19.30) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (17.45) / ROSALITA (11.33) / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.16) / A LOVE SO FINE – HAVIN’ A PARTY – SHOUT (10.57) / CAROL (4.26) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.23)

Audience tape, average quality. This is a healthy (and quite unique), 19-song performance and an important show in historical terms because it personifies the changing nature of the setlist that took shape in August as the Born To Run album neared its promotional and official release dates. This was one of the last performances of “New York City Serenade” for the tour. It is also the last known performance of the rare instrumental “Funk Song” (previously played on 23/07/75 and 29/07/75) and the last known performance of “A Love So Fine” until its resurrection over 20 years later (in its slight lyric/title variant) for the Tracks-Reunion Tour. This is also the earliest verified performance of “Havin’A Party”.

17/08/75 – BOTTOM LINE, NEW YORK, NY

First Show: TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THEN SHE KISSED ME / IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / GROWIN’ UP / SAINT IN THE CITY / E STREET SHUFFLE / EVERY TIME YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / FOR YOU / KITTY’S BACK / ROSALITA / QUARTER TO THREE

TWO separate admission shows – 8:30PM and 11:30PM. There is no circulating audio or verified setlist from the second (late) show. The first (early) show circulates only as an audience recording, but one that seems to capture the full show – this complete audio is available on the CDR “’WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM’. Some of the tracks are found on CD ‘RUNAWAY AMERICAN DREAMS’ (Doberman). A recent new release “Coastline To The City” on the Kivak Master Series is well worth aquiring – much improved quality. A fan remembers “We had tickets for both shows on August 17 so they let us stay between shows. We grabbed the seats right at Bruce’s feet for the finale. It was the first time that I noticed that Bruce’s sneakers didn’t match. He sang half of Spirit in the Night sprawled out on our table. I remember letting a photographer come in a take a bunch of photos while leaning on me and crouching between our seats. Years later I found out how good he was when I discovered the classic photo of my wife staring up at Bruce in Hilburn’s book–somewhere around page 84. Rolling Stone used it for the inside cover in the Greatest Shows of All Time issue–Hendrix at Monterey was the cover. Several years after that another shot of Christine turned up on Legends on VH-1 as well as a great shot of my best friend and I from the early show”

Bruce caught live at one of the Bottom Line shows in August 1975. Thanks to Cliff for the ticket images.

23/08/75 – ELECTRIC BALLROOM, ATLANTA, GA

SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.14)/ DOES THIS BUS STOP?? (4.05)/ ITS GONNA WORK OUT FINE (6.39)/ EVERYTIME THAT YOU WALK IN THE ROOM (3.23)/ GROWIN’ UP (3.13)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (cut)(4.16)/ E ST SHUFFLE (edits)(20.43)/ SHE’S THE ONE (4.43)/ BORN TO RUN (4.11)/ THEN SHE KISSED ME (2.52)/ FOR YOU (7.15)/ ROSALITA (10.05)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (cut)(5.14)/ TWIST AND SHOUT (7.20)

Soundboard source – This is another problematic show as there were shows on 21 & 23 but the songs played were identical. However this tape is undoubtedly the same as the 21st (with some extra tracks – but missing Kitty’s Back) and is of better quality. Excellent versions of For You and Its Gonna Work Out Fine.

04/09/75 – THE MAIN POINT, BRYN MAWR, PA

BORN TO RUN

No circulating audio. Prior to the resumption of the southern leg of the BTR Tour Springsteen was giving media interviews in New York and Philadelphia to coincide with the Born To Run LP’s release. Bruce paid a visit to the Main Point during a JACKSON BROWNE residency. Browne was expanding on the example set by Springsteen earlier in the year (Feb 3rd) and was performing a 5-night solo benefit (starting on Sept 3rd) for the financially struggling club. Springsteen may have been present on the opening night but he definitely did not perform. However on the second night (Thurs, Sep 4th) Bruce took the stage during Browne’s show and performed a solo acoustic rendition of “Born To Run”. There is no evidence that the sometimes noted “Thunder Road” was performed on this night or any other night during Browne’s residency. Note: Springsteen was not present at Browne’s final show (Sept 7th) which was simulcast on WMMR-FM and is widely circulating on boots.

“Bruce visits Jackson Browne backstage at The Main Point on Sept 3, 1975.”

11/09/75 – UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON, TX

CANCELLED show, never re-scheduled.

12/09/75 – MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, AUSTIN, TX

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (6.05)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.48)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.49)/ IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE (6.07)/ GROWIN’ UP (3.04)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (5.49)/ E STREET SHUFFLE (21.04)/ SHE’S THE ONE (4.33)/ BORN TO RUN (4.06)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.12)/ KITTY’S BACK (17.10)(fades)/ JUNGLELAND (9.00)/ ROSALITA (10.26)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (start cut)(5.00)/ QUARTER TO THREE (6.19)/ TWIST AND SHOUT – SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME (start cut)(4.42)

Soundboard tape – Kitty’s Back includes the “Spaceship” story which runs for 3.45! and the track fades out at the end. CD release “Austin 1975” (Whoopy Cat)

13/09/75 – MUSIC HALL, HOUSTON, TX

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.34) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT* (3.40) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT* (6.36) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (6.31) / GROWIN’ UP* (3.05) / SAINT IN THE CITY (5.41) / E STREET SHUFFLE* (23.01) / SHE’S THE ONE* (4.34) / BORN TO RUN* (4.15) / THUNDER ROAD (5.17) / KITTY’S BACK* (cut, 17.17) / JUNGLELAND (8.51) / ROSALITA (11.01) / SANDY (cut, 6.17) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.39) / CAROL-LUCILLE (6.49) / TWIST AND SHOUT

Soundboard audio. Earliest known complete “Pretty Flamingo”. “Kitty’s Back” includes some of Carole King’s composition “Nothing’s Too Good For My Baby”. There is an unusual combining of “Carol” and “Lucille” that includes bits from another song (possibly “Let It Rock”). Audio is available on the CDs ‘MUSIC HALL’ (All of Us) and ‘THANK YOU HOUSTON’ (Par). There is also 12 minutes of silent Super-8 color film footage of bits of 7 songs from this show in circulation (these 7 songs are noted with an * in the above setlist). The film excerpts have been ‘married’ to this show’s previously circulating audio and is available on the DVD ‘BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: 8MM’ (Brucevideos Productions).

20/09/75 – GRINNELL COLLEGE, IOWA, IA

Soundcheck: PRETTY FLAMINGO

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / SAINT IN THE CITY / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY’S BACK / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / ROSALITA / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

Held in the school’s 1,000-seat Darby Gymnasium, with only 200 seats available to the non-student public. There were wildfire rumors in the weeks leading up to this concert that hundreds of crazed New York and New Jersey Springsteen fanatics were planning on traveling 1,200 km to sleepy Grinnell to gate crash the sold-out show. The event quickly became dubbed as “The Springsteen Invasion” (note the pre-event promo cartoon below). Fearing trouble college officials hired a large contingent of police and security officers to keep order. It turned out to be a hoax, as no “undesirables” turned up and the concert went off without incident – and to overwhelming praise.

Complete setlist for this show is not known. The above – mentioned 11 songs are culled from an attendee recollection combined with titles articulated in a post concert review of the show in the Student Newspaper. The titles are in the correct performing order but there were 4 or 5 additional songs sandwiched among them. “Pretty Flamingo” was played at the soundcheck but not during the show. Both “Incident” and “Thunder Road” were performed in their semi-solo incarnations. Springsteen went the crowd during “Spirit In The Night”. During “Rosalita, which featured the “Come A Little Bit Closer” intro, Bruce jumped (the student newspaper says “fell”) off the stage into the crowd. Carlson Smith, a co-organizer of the event, has told BRUCEBASE that Springsteen’s services were procured for only $2,500, further adding – “we signed the deal the previous June, just before leaving for summer vacation. It probably would have been easy for Bruce to get out of the contract…. by this time they were getting much higher appearance fees. His management should be commended in honoring their commitment to us. When they arrived they actually seemed eager and happy to play.”

“Promotional material and gig photos by kind permission of Grinnell College”

21/09/75 – GUTHRIE THEATRE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.31)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.43)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.49)/ PRETTY FLAMINGO (7.51)/ GROWING UP (cut)(2.52)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (cut)(4.59)/ E ST SHUFFLE (cut in tape turn)(23.19)/ SHES THE ONE (4.38)/ BORN TO RUN (4.11)/ BACKSTREETS (6.41)/ THUNDER ROAD (6.00)/ KITTYS BACK (cut)(17.42)/ JUNGLELAND (very cut)(0.17)/ ROSALITA (cut)(4.54)/ QUARTER TO THREE (6.39)

A sellout and a very rare treat for the lucky 1,800 attendees – this was a genuine “theatre-in-the round” stage set up and performance. Audience tape, but unfortunately of not great quality and featuring numerous edits. Show features a very long “E Street Shuffle” and the reappearance of “Backstreets”.

23/09/75 – UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, MI

THUNDER ROAD (5.23)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.47)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.50)/ PRETTY FLAMINGO (7.30)/ GROWIN’ UP (3.02)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (5.44)/ E ST SHUFFLE (cut)(18.15)/ SHA LA LA (2.40)/ SHE’S THE ONE (4.38)/ BORN TO RUN (4.04)/ BACKSTREETS (6.47)/ KITTYS BACK (cut)(17.21)/ JUNGLELAND (9.18)/ ROSALITA (10.58)/ DETROIT MEDLEY – BACK IN THE USA (slight cut)(7.16)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.43)/ QUARTER TO THREE (cut)(6.49)/ CAROL (cut)(6.05)/ TWIST AND SHOUT (cut)(4.04)

Audience Tape – Held in the school’s Hill Auditorium. Bruce’s 26th birthday – and he delivers an extra special performance, among the best on the BTR tour. Unfortunately the circulating audio doesn’t do the show justice. Tape also includes the solo Thunder Road as the opening song. Spirit In The Night starts off with “The Moon Was Yellow”, Kitty’s Back contains a snippet of “Nothing’s Too Good For My Baby”, Rosalita starts off with “Come A Little Bit Closer”, Quarter To Three. is played, stopped, started up again, stopped and started up again a final time and the first known Detroit Medley contains a short piano solo by Roy during “Jenny Take A Ride” and includes Back In The USA”, and does not return to Devil With The Blue Dress before it stops. Thanks to Per for the detail.

30/09/75 – UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, OMAHA, NE

No set details known. Logistically this was an unusual show in that it was an official school event yet it was held off-campus in the city’s commercial, 3,000-seat Music Hall venue. A scheduling conflict involving the University’s concert venue was the likely reason.

02/10/75 – UPTOWN THEATRE, MILWAUKEE, WI

MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER (start cut, 2.53)/ TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.43) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.20) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (8.48) / SHE’S THE ONE (5.03) / BORN TO RUN (4.11) / THUNDER ROAD (5.33) / extended bomb scare interruption/intermission / LITTLE QUEENIE (fades in, 8.43) / E STREET SHUFFLE (24.40) / SAINT IN THE CITY (5.20) / SHA LA LA (2.49) / JUNGLELAND (9.41) / KITTY’S BACK (18.34) / ROSALITA (10.40) / DETROIT MEDLEY (4.11) / SANDY (6.40) / QUARTER TO THREE (7.20)

The famous bomb scare incident show, where the performance had to be stopped for over 90 minutes due to a phone-in bomb threat. The pre-bomb scare part of the show circulates only as an audience recording – however the remainder of the performance is circulating as a pro-recorded soundboard. The band had spent its time during the delay in a nearby bar and it’s evident as the show gets back underway that Bruce has had a few drinks – repeatedly and hilariously asking the audience “Are you loose?” during “Little Queenie” (the first circulating version of this song with the E Street Band). There is also an exceptionally long rendition of “E Street Shuffle” that includes a 14-minute intro! The second set also exists on audience shot amateur film. Available on boot CDs ‘MILWAUKEE BOMB SCARE SHOW’ (Mistral) or ‘WE HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK LAST NIGHT’ (BS).

04/10/75 – MICHIGAN PALACE, DETROIT, MI

10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.02)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.07)/ IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE (7.17)/ SHES THE ONE (4.51)/ BORN TO RUN (4.31)/ E ST SHUFFLE (cut at end)(13.43)/ BACKSTREETS (start cut)(4.40)/ KITTYS BACK (19.13)/ JUNGLELAND (10.08)/ ROSALITA (cut)(10.23)/ DETROIT MEDLEY (5.17)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (7.39)/ AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG (3.26)/ QUARTER TO THREE (7.55)/ LITTLE QUEENIE (8.58)/ TWIST AND SHOUT (cut)(5.35)

Soundboard recording – exceptional encore with a very spirited Detroit Medley and the first rendition of Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, sung as a duet with Little Steven. CD releases “First Night in Detroit” (Midnight Beat) and more recently “Walk Like the Heroes” (Anubis) which is supposed to be a better source – but the tape still has problems.

10/10/75 – MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ

CANCELLED show (before any advertising took place or tickets sold), rescheduled to the following night. The original intention was to play single show gigs on Oct 10th and 11th. This was then changed to a 2-show booking on the 11th.

11/10/75 – MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ

EARLY SHOW: MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / NIGHT / KITTY’S BACK / THUNDER ROAD / ROSALITA / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY)

LATE SHOW : INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (5.26)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.32)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.18)/ IT�S GONNA WORK OUT FINE (6.34)/ SHES THE ONE (5.31)/ BORN TO RUN (4.03)/ E ST SHUFFLE (18.26)/ BACKSTREETS (6.22)/ KITTYS BACK (17.33)/ JUNGLELAND (9.05)/ ROSALITA (9.46)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.13)/ QUARTER TO THREE (6.42)/ CAROL (6.12)/ DETROIT MEDLEY (5.35)

TWO separate admission shows (8:30PM and 12:00AM), with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill and the building marquee proclaiming “The Homecoming”. As is so often the case with Bruce’s pre-1976 gigs, the fact that there were two shows on the same night has caused its fair share of confusion through the years. The partial setlist from the Early Show mentioned above is from post-concert reports and from a fan present who also recalls that most of the photo’s in the newsweek articles came from these shows.. THERE IS NO CIRCULATION AUDIO FROM THE FIRST SHOW. The above-mentioned 15-song setlist for the Late Show is taken from a long-circulating audience recording of good (but not very good) quality and represents the complete show. An incomplete 8-song soundboard of this Late Show first surfaced on a CDR title called “LAST HOMECOMING BEFORE THE HYPE”. More recently a complete soundboard of the Late Show has been released on the CD “THE HOMECOMING” (E Street). David Sancious guests on “Carol”. The song “The Moon Was Yellow (And The Night Was Young) by Ahlert and Leslie is played as an introduction to “Spirit in the night”. As he did at several shows during this part of the tour, Bruce incorporates a small snatch of Jay & The American’s hit “Come A Little Bit Closer” into the start of “Rosalita”

Photo, Ad and article regarding the shows courtesy of Billy Smith.

23/10/75 – GERDE’S FOLK CITY, NEW YORK, NY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

With a 5-day break in the West Coast leg of the tour, Bruce flies to New York to attend a surprise, 61st birthday party for Gerde’s Folk City owner Mike Porco (who hired Bob Dylan for his first New York club gigs in 1961). Dylan turned up with a film crew as well as Joan Baez and other members of his soon-to-tour Rolling Thunder Review. This was the first time Springsteen and Dylan had met and both formed part of a communal group that performed a filmed rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Porco. Brief audio-video excerpts of this event are seen in Dylan’s 1978 movie “Renaldo & Clara”, though no footage of Springsteen is seen – the “Happy Birthday” segment remains in the vaults. Allegedly it was at this party the Dylan invited Springsteen to join the Rolling Thunder Review, with Bruce allegedly turning the offer down due to his own tour commitments coupled with the fact that he wouldn’t be able to use the E Street Band for his guest spots in Dylan’s show.

25/10/75 – PARAMOUNT THEATER, PORTLAND, OR

No set details known. Bruce’s first-ever appearance in Portland but a somewhat disappointing turnout nevertheless – about 30% of the tickets remained unsold. According to a Portland journalist who attended most of the balcony area was empty.

Poster courtesy of Billy Smith.

04/11/75 – ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, PHOENIX, AZ

No set details known. Held in the school’s Gammage Auditorium.

06/11/75 – ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, PHOENIX, AZ

THUNDER ROAD / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / PRETTY FLAMINGO / SHES THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / SNADY / SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTYS BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA / DETROIT MEDLEY / TWIST AND SHOUT

Audience tape. Held in the school’s Gammage Auditorium. One of the more memorable – and best – shows of the BTR tour. There were phoned-in bomb threats received several hours before the start of this show – however, after some initial panic by organizers and the Springsteen camp, the police determined that the individuals making the threats had gotten their schedules mixed up – they’d been intended for controversial ex-Vietnam veteran Lieutenant William Calley’s speaking engagement in Gammage the previous night. Springsteen delivered a blistering show and worked the crowd into a complete frenzy, so much so that the large, humanity-packed balcony of Gammage began visibly swaying during the final stages of the concert. It was later reported that school officials had nearly decided to stop the show prematurely, although a post-concert engineering report gave the balcony a clean bill of health.

10/11/75 – JAI ALAI, TAMPA, FL

THUNDER ROAD (5.06)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.41)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.22)/ E ST SHUFFLE (17.48)/ SHES THE ONE (5.27)/ BORN TO RUN (4.07)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.39)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (5.23)/ BACKSTREETS (cut at start)(5.00)/ KITTYS BACK (16.19)/ JUNGLELAND (9.12)/ ROSALITA (11.05)/ DETROIT MEDLEY (6.48)/ QUARTER TO THREE (cut)(6.47)

The above-mentioned setlist is taken from a circulating audience recording of good quality and represents the complete show. After a cancellation and a couple of “almost-but-not quite” bookings in 1973, this Tampa gig turned out to be Springsteen’s first-ever performance in Florida (and Bruce can be heard acknowledging such to the audience). This show had originally been planned for the 9th but was bumped back a day, probably due to the West Coast itinerary. A sellout, with additional standing room only seats sold that day. Available on CDR “And Jack Knife Cried” See the articles here – thanks to our reporter Chris Lofback.

30/12/75 – RADIO STATION WMMR-FM, PHILADEPHIA, PA

Bruce, Miami Steve, Garry and Danny pay DJ Ed Sciaky an afternoon visit and spend a half hour as Ed’s “guest” DJ’s, spinning some of their favorite platters by the likes of The Drifters, Sam & Dave, Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Them. A 35-minute segment of this audio circulates. It is also mentioned during the program that tonight’s show at Tower Theatre is going to be recorded for later use. We now know that Mike Appel recorded most of the December 1975 shows for possible use on a planned 1976 multi-disc live LP release that never eventuated. Thanks to Rick for the info.

“DJ Bruce at WMMR on Dec 30, 1975”

30/12/75 – TOWER THEATER, UPPER DARBY, PA

NIGHT (2.43)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.28)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (5.46)/ DOES THIS BUS STOP? (3.37)/ ITS MY LIFE (7.30)/ SHES THE ONE (edits/cuts)(6.38)/ BORN TO RUN (3.45)/ ITS GONNA WORK OUT FINE (6.36)/ GROWIN UP (2.31)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (5.11)/ BACKSTREETS (7.10)/ MOUNTAIN OF LOVE (3.09)/ JUNGLELAND (8.36)/ ROSALITA (9.09)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.25)/ DETROIT MEDLEY (7.16)/ THUNDER ROAD (4.10)/ WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK (2.10)/ QUARTER TO THREE (cut)(4.11)/ FOR YOU / TWIST AND SHOUT – KILLER JOE

Soundboard sourced but suffers from over-recording in parts. This was the first version of Night since the Bottom Line gigs in August. Miami Steve disappeared from the stage sometime around She’s the One and didn’t return. He had the flu. Released on CD “Teardrops On The Tower”. A more recent soundboard upgrade tape has now circulated which has “Wear My Ring” in a different location and includes the final two tracks not on other releases.

31/12/75 – TOWER THEATER, UPPER DARBY, PA

NIGHT (2.53)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (3.46)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.31)/ DOES THIS BUS STOP (8.48)/ IT’S MY LIFE (7.22)/ SHE’S THE ONE (6.16)/ BORN TO RUN (4.05)/ PRETTY FLAMINGO / SAINT IN THE CITY (5.45)/ BACKSTREETS (7.50)/ MOUNTAIN OF LOVE (3.19)/ JUNGLELAND (9.06)/ ROSALITA (11.07)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.42)/ DETROIT MEDLEY (8.45)/ QUARTER TO THREE (6.49)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.47)/ TWIST AND SHOUT – KILLER JOE (7.44)

Soundboard and Audience tapes. Final slow version of 10th Avenue Freeze out until the Christic shows anyway. Last known Bus Stop until Red Bank ’93 and last Mountain of Love. Released on CD “Teardrops On The Tower” Again, a more recent (soundboard) tape has now circulated which does not have “Sandy” and the Detroit Medley and Thunder Road are clipped at their start. The official “Wings For Wheels” documentary DVD contains great black-and-white footage of a slow “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” (filmed by early Springsteen fan Barry Rebo), which has been attributed to one of the two Tower Theater shows by an experienced video collector. Thanks to Lost In The Flood for the info. A single CD of mixdowns done in 1976 from a 24 track recording of the show has recently become available which features 10 tracks and is essential listening. “The Uber Series Vol 33”.

Thanks to Cliff for the ticket image.