Bruce Springsteen 1977

BRUCEBASE 1977

1949-1964 : 1965-1969 : 1970-71 : 1972 : 1973 : 1974 : 1975 : 1976 : 1977 : 1978 : 1979-80 : 1981 : 1982-3 : 1984
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00/01/77 - CBS STUDIOS, NEW YORK, NY

SAY GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD

In January, with “Sugar” Miami Steve producing, Bruce joins (on acoustic guitar) for the recording of a Ronnie Spector & The E Street Band single. It was released in April 1977. Bruce’s involvement on the recording was uncredited due to litigation taking place at the time with Mike Appel. However both Van Zandt and Spector have subsequently verified his performance on the recording. Bruce did not perform on the single’s b-side, “Baby Please Don’t Go”. Spector did, however, confirm in a 1999 interview that several additional songs (titles undocumented), with Bruce taking a major role, were completed at these sessions - intended for a possible album release that never came to fruition. Spector noted that Springsteen has those unissued recordings.

“Ronnie Spector with Bruce and the E Street Band outdoors, braving the winter chill - Say Goodbye To Hollywood Sessions”

22/01/77 - THE JAIL, HILLSDALE, NJ

CAROL / ROSALITA

No circulating audio. Springsteen makes a guest appearance with local band PEGASUS - Joe Murray (guitar, vocals), Rob Lange (guitar, vocals), Ted Schoenherr (bass, vocals) and Tom Sontag (drums).A friend of Bruce’s (Matty Delia) managed the band. Max Weinberg also sat in with the band on a couple of different nights. Bruce turned up (but did not perform) at other Pegasus gigs during the period, including one at The Jail on 21/05/77.

“Bruce with Pegasus outside The Jail. Special thanks to Joe Murray for the photo/details”

07/02/77 - PALACE THEATRE, ALBANY, NY

ACTION IN THE STREETS / IT’S MY LIFE / THE PROMISE / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / ROSALITA / 4TH OF JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / BORN TO RUN

THERE IS NO KNOWN AUDIO. Opening night of the very exciting but quite brief (only 33 shows), 2nd leg of the Lawsuit Tour. Most of the setlist for this show is known courtesy of a gig review that appeared in the following day’s Albany paper. There were 3 or 4 additional songs played that are not listed above, as they were not articulated in the review. “The Promise” was performed in its piano-solo incarnation. This show included the live debut of the Springsteen-composed “Action In The Streets”, which interestingly the reviewer implies actually began this show, although the precise performing order of the overall setlist is uncertain.

08/02/77 - AUDITORIUM THEATRE, ROCHESTER, NY

SOUNDCHECK:

SOUNDCHECK: DONT LOOK BACK (inst) / THUNDER ROAD (inst) / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (inst) / ACTION IN THE STREETS / DON'T LOOK BACK / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (28.07 total time)

CONCERT

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.31)/ RENDEZVOUS (3.21)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.46)/ IT’S MY LIFE (13.39)/ THUNDER ROAD (6.09)/ MONA - SHES THE ONE (9.02)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.30)/ ACTION IN THE STREETS (4.43)/ BACKSTREETS (11.29)/ JUNGLELAND (10.19)/ ROSALITA (12.58)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (7.45)/ RAISE YOUR HAND (tape warp)(4.19)/ THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

Audience tape, including soundcheck and the complete show. For the 2nd leg of the tour “Something In The Night” features slightly revised lyrics and a new arrangement. “Backstreets” includes a monologue-styled middle section that will evolve and expand for the remainder of the tour.

09/02/77 - KLEINHANS AUDITORIUM, BUFFALO, NY

SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT’S MY LIFE / MONA-SHE’S THE ONE / JUNGLELAND / BORN TO RUN

THERE IS NO KNOWN AUDIO. A very partial setlist (above) is known courtesy of gig reviews that appeared in the following day’s Buffalo papers. With a reported length of only about 1hr and 40 minutes this would be one of the shorter shows of the era.

Two Ad's for the Feb 9th show.

10/02/77 - MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, UTICA, NY

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / BORN TO RUN/ QUARTER TO THREE

THERE IS NO KNOWN AUDIO. Nearly all of the setlist for this show is known via gig reviews that appeared in the following days Albany papers. there may be 2 or 3 additional songs played that are not listed above, as they were not articulated in reviews or the partial set list from a fan present on the night - thanks Marty.

12/02/77 - CIVIC CENTRE, OTTAWA, CANADA

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / IT'S MY LIFE

Audience tape - incomplete - No other details known

13/02/77 - MAPLE LEAF GARDENS, TORONTO, CANADA

NIGHT (2.51)/ RENDEZVOUS (2.59)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.10)/ ITS MY LIFE (11.20)/ THUNDER ROAD (cut)(4.38)/ MONA - SHES THE ONE (9.01)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (start cut)(3.35)/ SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.14)/ GROWING UP (9.09)/ ACTION IN THE STREETS (3.59)/ JUNGLELAND / BACKSTREETS (10.33)/ ROSALITA (11.00)/ RAISE YOUR HAND (edit)(3.03)/ BORN TO RUN (4.25)

Audience tape - features first Growin' Up of the '77 tour and the last version of Raise Your Hand in 1977. This is the first known show with an intermission. You can hear Bruce say after "Tenth"..we're gonna take
a short break and we'll be back" Thanks Sal for the info. Released on CD "Soul Crusaders" (ES)

15/02/77 - MASONIC TEMPLE, DETROIT, MI

SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.29) / NIGHT (3.12) / RENDEZVOUS (3.04) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.54) / IT'S MY LIFE (13.07) / THUNDER ROAD (5.57) / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (9.37) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (4.16) / ACTION IN THE STREETS (4.39) / BACKSTREETS (11.46) / JUNGLELAND (9.36) / ROSALITA (13.08) / DETROIT MEDLEY (13.08) / BORN TO RUN (4.41)

Audience tape - Features the only 1977 performance of Detroit Medley and the last Something In The Night as the show opener. Released on CD "Masonic Temple" (Joker) and on CDR "The Devil In Detroit"

16/02/77 - VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, COLUMBUS, OH

No details known.

17/02/77 - RICHFIELD COLISEUM, CLEVELAND, OH

NIGHT (3.03) / RENDEZVOUS (2.59) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.40) / IT'S MY LIFE (13.10) / THUNDER ROAD (5.33) / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (9.18) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (4.04) / ACTION IN THE STREETS (4.48) / BACKSTREETS (cut)(10.51) / JUNGLELAND (9.00) / ROSALITA (cut)(6.11) / BABY I LOVE YOU (2.27) / WALKING IN THE RAIN (3.41) / SAY GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD (3.13) / BE MY BABY (3.20) / BORN TO RUN (4.34) / QUARTER TO THREE (edit)(8.39)

Audience tape – magical show, with Ronnie Spector an unadvertised guest on 4 songs; 3 classics from her Ronettes period plus her about-to-be-released single “Say Goodbye To Hollywood”, the studio version of which had been recorded with Bruce & The E Street Band just a few weeks earlier (with Miami Steve producing). Most of the show is available on CD "ACTION IN THE STREETS" (UM). The complete show is available on CDR "SAY GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD".

"Feb 17, 1977 in Cleveland. Left Photo - Ronnie Spector and the boys backstage prior to the show. Right Photo - during the show, featuring in the foreground (left to right) Ronnie, Bruce, Steve and ex-Turtles vocalists Howard Kaylan & Mark Volman (a.k.a Flo & Eddie). Photos by Daivd Gahr."

19/02/77 - CIVIC CENTRE, ST PAUL, MINNESOTA

NIGHT (3.22) / RENDEZVOUS (3.08) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.40) / IT'S MY LIFE (13.26) / THUNDER ROAD (5.46) / MONA-SHE'S THE ONE (cut in tape turn, 10:15) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (4.08) / ACTION IN THE STREETS (4.51) / BACKSTREETS (10:47) / JUNGLELAND (9.30) / ROSALITA (13.21) / BORN TO RUN (4.32) / QUARTER TO THREE (9.54)

Audience tape, available on CDR ‘AND THE RAIN CAME TUMBLIN' DOWN’. Nearly 45 minutes of silent, Super-8, color film footage of this show is in circulation, encompassing (mostly) excerpts of 11 of the shows 13 songs (there is no film of “Action In The Streets” or “Quarter To Three”). The film excerpts have been ‘married’ to this show’s previously circulating audio and is available on the DVD ‘BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: 8MM’ (Brucevideos Productions).

20/02/77 - DANE COUNTY COLISEUM, MADISON, WI

No details known

22/02/77 - ARENA AUDITORIUM, MILWAUKEE, WI

NIGHT (3.13)/ RENDEZVOUS (3.14)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.44)/ IT'S MY LIFE (14.43)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.56)/ MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (10.51)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.18) / ACTION IN THE STREETS (5.03)/ BACKSTREETS (12.21)/ JUNGLELAND (9.52)/ ROSALITA (13.46)/ BORN TO RUN (4.35)/ QUARTER TO THREE (10.28)

Audience tape - first time that the band return to the famous "bomb scare" location, so there is constant references to that show throughout. Released on CD "Action In The Streets" (Unbelievable Music) and "Will The Real Bruce..." (Real Live). There is a remaster of the 'Unbelivable Music' bootleg - a huge upgrade in sound. ("The Return To Bombscare Arena", Ev2)

"Feb 22, 1977 in Milwaukee. Photo by Rick Kohlmeyer"

23/02/77 - AUDITORIUM THEATRE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

NIGHT (3.10)/ RENDEZVOUS (3.17)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.05)/ IT'S MY LIFE (15:47)/ THUNDER ROAD (6.01)/ MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (11.30)/ TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (4.10)/ ACTION IN THE STREETS (4.44)/ BACKSTREETS (12.39)/ JUNGLELAND (10.00)/ ROSALITA (14.21)/ BORN TO RUN (4.27)/ THE PROMISE (5.40)/ QUARTER TO THREE (11.06)

Audience tape. Available on CDR "The Windy City Promise"

25/02/77 - PURDUE UNIVERSITY, LAFAYETTE, IN

NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / SHE'S THE ONE / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / QUARTER TO THREE

Incomplete setlist compiled from a fan present and a news review of the show. The nights procedings were an hour late due to a piano being tuned. Thanks to Bob for the great info and ticket image. There is no known audio from this show.

26/02/77 - CONVENTION CENTRE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRITS IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / ACTION IN THE STREETS / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / THE PROMISE / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape incomplete - setlist is from tape and news cutting reviewing the show - thanks again to Bob.

Photo from "Radio Free Rock"

27/02/77 - RIVERFRONT COLISEUM, CINCINATTI, OH

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT’S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE’S THE ONE / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / ACTION IN THE STREET / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape - not confirmed that this is an actual recording from this show.

28/02/77 - FOX THEATRE, ST LOUIS, MO

NIGHT (3.12) / RENDEZVOUS (3.15) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.57) / IT'S MY LIFE (11.38) / THUNDER ROAD (5.55) / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (11.19) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (edit)(4.13) / ACTION IN THE STREETS (4.58) / BACKSTREETS (13.08) / JUNGLELAND (9.47) / ROSALITA (12.07) / BORN TO RUN (4.35) / QUARTER TO THREE (9.42)

Audience tape. available on CDR.

02/03/77 - CIVIC CENTRE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / GROWIN' UP / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / BORN TO RUN / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

Setlist from a fan present who made detailed notes at the time - Growin' Up contains the spaceman story - there is no tape of this show - Thanks tto Nelson for the details.

04/03/77 - AUDITORIUM, JACKSONVILLE, FL

NIGHT (3.14) / RENDEZVOUS (3.15) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.02) / IT'S MY LIFE (11.15) / THUNDER ROAD (6.00) / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (10.40) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (4.24) / ACTION IN THE STREETS (5.09) / BACKSTREETS (13.29) / JUNGLELAND (9.58) / ROSALITA (cut)(8.56) / BORN TO RUN / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape - incomplete tape. Released on CD "Jacksonville & My Fathers Place".

Photos above by Louie Favorite.

05/03/77 - JAI ALAI FRONTON, ORLANDO, FL

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / ACTION IN THE STREETS / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape - Released on CD "Everythings Alright" (RTCD)

06/03/77 - JAI ALAI FRONTON, MIAMI, FL

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / ACTION IN THE STREETS / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA

Audience tape - thanx to Chris. Available on CDR.

10/03/77 - SPORTS ARENA, TOLEDO, OH

NIGHT (3.07) / DON'T LOOK BACK (2.42) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.33) / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.19) / THUNDER ROAD (5.29) / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (9.58) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (4.07) / ACTION IN THE STREETS (4.25) / BACKSTREETS (edit)(11.44) / GROWIN' UP (7.53) / ROSALITA (9.16) / BORN TO RUN (4.18) / JUNGLELAND (8.47) / QUARTER TO THREE (9.12)

Audience tape - Premiere of Don't Look Back. Something In The Night returns to the set with a trumpet intro. Available on CDR "At Toledo"

'March 10, 1977 in Toledo. Photo by John Rockwood'

11/03/77 - ST VINCENT COLLEGE, LA TROBE, PA

NIGHT / DON'T LOOK BACK / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / ACTION IN THE STREETS / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT - FARMER JOHN

Audience tape - Twist and Shout includes a brief and unique version of Farmer John. Available on CDR "Latrobe77"

13/03/77 - TOWSON STATE UNIVERSITY, BALTIMORE, MD

NIGHT / DON'T LOOK BACK / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / ACTION IN THE STREETS / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape.

14/03/77 - MID-HUDSON CIVIC CENTRE, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY

Audience tape - set updated - thanks Wil. Available on CDR "Plouhkeepsie 77"

15/03/77 - COMMUNITY ARENA, BINGHAMTON, NY

Audience tape - incomplete

18/03/77 - MEMORIAL COLISEUM NEW HAVEN, CT

NIGHT / DON'T LOOK BACK / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE (10.45)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.36)/ MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (10.19)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.14)/ ACTION IN THE STREETS (5.02)/ BACKSTREETS (CUT) (6.00)/ JUNGLELAND (9.20)/ ROSALITA (11.40)/ BORN TO RUN (4.24)/ QUARTER TO THREE (9.29)

Audience tape - incomplete, the first three tracks are missing. Available on CDR "New Haven 77"

19/03/77 - CENTRAL MAINE YOUTH CENTER, LEWISTON, ME

NIGHT / DON'T LOOK BACK / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / ACTION IN THE STREETS / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape, only fairly recently circulating among collectors. This is the complete show. The first Springsteen gig in the state of Maine since fall 1973.

20/03/77 - PROVIDENCE COLLEGE, PROVIDENCE, RI

IT’S MY LIFE / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / THE PROMISE / YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN

A sellout, held in the 3,400-seat Alumni Hall. THERE IS NO KNOWN AUDIO but the partial setlist details above (including the final 4 songs performed) are known from a review of the show in “The Cowl”, the school newspaper. read the full review here
Note: the student reviewer mistakenly identifies the final song of the night as a cover of The Belmonts “Burnt”. However there is no such song by The Belmonts (or anyone else) and it is highly likely that this was The Dovells “You Can’t Sit Down”.

Image courtesy of It's Only Rock'n'Roll

22/03/77 - MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA

NIGHT (3.10)/ DON'T LOOK BACK (2.58)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.54)/ IT'S MY LIFE (11.57)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.58)/ MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (cut)(12.03)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.27)/ ACTION IN THE STREETS (5.32)/ BACKSTREETS (15.43)/ JUNGLELAND (9.52)/ ROSALITA (13.26)/ BORN TO RUN (4.41)/ THE PROMISE (5.38)/ QUARTER TO THREE (10.23)/ YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (4.30)

Audience tape - Features You Can't Sit Down as the final encore. Available on CDR "Are You Prepared For A Heart Attack?" and "The Promise In Boston"

23/03/77 - MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA

NIGHT (3.15)/ DON'T LOOK BACK (2.55)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.24)/ INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (11.09)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.57)/ MONA - SHES THE ONE (12.24)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.23)/ GROWIN' UP (7.54)/ BACKSTREETS (15.17)/ JUNGLELAND (9.39)/ ROSALITA (11.33)/ BORN TO RUN (4.31)/ QUARTER TO THREE (9.50)/ LITTLE LATIN LUPE LU (2.56)/ YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (5.45)

Audience tape - Incident On 57th Street is played and works in so well it is retained for the final two shows and Little Latin Lupe Lu is played for the first time. Available on CDR "Are You Prepared For A Heart Attack" There are more of Peter Howes fantastic photo's in the storyteller section.

Upper right photo - Bruce in the opening number - Photo courtesy of Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos

24/03/77 - MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA

NIGHT (3.19)/ DON'T LOOK BACK (2.52)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.34)/ INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (11.46)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.55)/ MONA - SHES THE ONE (cut in tape turn)(12.49)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.28)/ GROWING UP (9.35)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (4.33)/ BACKSTREETS (15.44)/ JUNGLELAND (9.21)/ ROSALITA (12.28)/ BORN TO RUN (4.37)/ QUARTER TO THREE (10.18)/ LITTLE LATIN LUPE LU (2.51)/ YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (3.46)/ HIGHER AND HIGHER (8.10)

Audience tape - Show features Saint In The City and first version of Higher and Higher. Released on CD "Running Into The Darkness" (ES) and "Higher And Higher" (Dob)

"Boston Music Hall, March 24, 1977"

25/03/77 - MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA

NIGHT (3.31)/ DON'T LOOK BACK (3.00)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.55)/ INCIDENT ON 57TH ST (13.26)/ THUNDER ROAD (6.09)/ MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (15.11)/ 10TH AVE FREEZE OUT (4.31)/ ACTION IN THE STREET (5.26)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (5.38)/ BACKSTREETS (18.01)/ JUNGLELAND (9.43)/ ROSALITA (13.04)/ BORN TO RUN (4.46)/ QUARTER TO THREE (10.38)/ LITTLE LATIN LOOP - YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (8.28)/ HIGHER AND HIGHER (10.32)

Audience tape - Final night of the tour - and a contender for one of the best ever - Last ever versions of "Action In The Streets" and last "Don't Look Back" for a long time (1999) as well as the last E ST Band version of "Higher and Higher". “Rosalita” includes the Miami Horns playing a snippet of “Auld Lang Syne” in the band introductions. A fan recalls "I saw the last three shows and they were definitely as good as it gets. We had no idea that Bruce was close to settling his legal problems, but it was clear that these were special. I remember 03/24 as being the hottest show but that may just be that it was the first one that featured Saint and Higher, both showstoppers." Released on CD "Forced To Confess" (GDR), "Higher and Higher (Dob) and "Stranded In The Park" (RCR) - the latter in tremendous quality.

17/04/77 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ

FEVER / I DON'T WANNA GO HOME / YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO ME BABY / HAVIN' A PARTY

Incomplete audience tape - With Southside Johnny.

'Photos courtesy of Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos'

12/05/77 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTRE, RED BANK, NJ

THIS TIME IT'S FOR REAL / GOT TO GET YOU OFF OF MY MIND / WITHOUT LOVE / SHE GOT ME WHERE SHE WANT'S ME / THE FEVER (Bruce w/ Asbury Jukes) / I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME / HAVIN' A PARTY / YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO ME (Spector-Springsteen w/ Asbury Jukes) / THUNDER ROAD (Bruce w/ ESB) / RENDEZVOUS (Bruce w/ESB) / BACKSTREETS (Bruce w/ ESB) / BORN TO RUN (Bruce w/ ESB)

Audience tape. The above-noted setlist includes the songs that featured Springsteen performing in some capacity. This gig was originally scheduled (along with the 2 shows the following night) as a regular Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes gig. However Southside became ill, couldn’t perform, so Steve Van Zandt came to the rescue by organizing THE ASBURY PARK ALL-STAR REVUE – a combination of The Asbury Jukes, The E Street Band, Ronnie Spector and Springsteen. Van Zandt was the lead vocalist (with Bruce on guitar/background vocals) on all the tracks above, except where noted. We are told a soundboard tape of this show does exist, but does not circulate.

Left, Bruce & Steve on opening number 'This Time It's For Real', Right, Bruce & Steve mug Willie Rush from Jukes during his guitar solo on 'Havin' A Party' - 'Photos courtesy of Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos'

13/05/77 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTRE, RED BANK, NEW JERSEY - (early)

THIS TIME IT'S FOR REAL / GOT TO GET YOU OFF OF MY MIND / WITHOUT LOVE / THE FEVER (Bruce w/ Asbury Jukes) / I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME / HAVIN' A PARTY / YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO ME (Spector-Springsteen w/ Asbury Jukes) / THUNDER ROAD (Bruce w/ ESB)

Audience tape. The above-noted setlist includes the songs that featured Springsteen performing in some capacity. This gig was originally scheduled as a regular Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes gig. However Southside became ill, couldn’t perform, so Steve Van Zandt came to the rescue by organizing THE ASBURY PARK ALL-STAR REVUE – a combination of The Asbury Jukes, The E Street Band, Ronnie Spector and Springsteen. Van Zandt was the lead vocalist (with Bruce on guitar/background vocals) on all the tracks above, except where noted.

"May 1977 - Monmouth Arts Center show. Bruce, sporting his finest "Saturday Night Fever" suit, being thanked by gig MC Miami Steve for his participation" Above right photo courtesy of Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos

13/05/77 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTRE, RED BANK, NEW JERSEY - (late)

THIS TIME IT'S FOR REAL / GOT TO GET YOU OFF OF MY MIND / WITHOUT LOVE / SHE GOT ME WHERE SHE WANT'S ME / THE FEVER (Bruce w/ Asbury Jukes) / I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME / AMEN - HAVIN' A PARTY / YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO ME (Spector-Springsteen w/ Asbury Jukes) / THUNDER ROAD (Bruce w/ ESB) / HIGHER AND HIGHER (Bruce w/ ESB)

Audience tape. The above-noted setlist includes the songs that featured Springsteen performing in some capacity. This gig was originally scheduled as a standard Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes gig. However Southside became ill, couldn’t perform, so Steve Van Zandt came to the rescue by organizing THE ASBURY PARK ALL-STAR REVUE – a combination of The Asbury Jukes, The E Street Band, Ronnie Spector and Springsteen. Van Zandt was the lead vocalist (with Bruce on guitar/background vocals) on all the tracks above, except where noted.

“Bruce and Ronnie Spector duet on “You Mean So Much To Me – May 13, 1977 late show”

19/05/77 - STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ

JAILHOUSE ROCK / SEA CRUISE

No known audio. Springsteen turns up on a quiet night (only about 20-30 patrons!) and ends up playing with Bob Campanell’s band THE SHAKES, who were a house band at the club at the time. Billy Smith has commented to Brucebase: “Springsteen was sitting at the bar alone and Campanell asked from the stage if he would like to play…Bruce smiled, put down his beer, walked across the empty dance floor and put on Bob's red guitar…he did ‘Jailhouse Rock’ with all the Elvis moves, and ‘Sea Cruise’ as well”. Springsteen may have also performed during a 3rd song in The Shakes set (“Hit The Road Jack”), although memories are a bit hazy on this point. Special thanks to gig attendees Billy Smith and Peter Howes for details.

Center: Bob Campanell (with the Sailor hat) singing “SEA CRUISE” with Bruce. All photos courtesy of Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos'

28/05/77 - THE SPECTRUM, PHILADELPHIA, PA

With his lawsuit with Mike Appel settled only about 18 hours beforehand, an upbeat Springsteen and Steve Van Zandt drive to Philadelphia to attend an Elvis Presley concert. This was Van Zandt’s first Presley show. Bruce had seen Presley in concert once before (at 1 of the 4 Madison Square Garden shows of June 9-11, 1972). Although Springsteen was a big enough star at this point to have been given VIP treatment if he’d sought it, Bruce and Steve attended the show merely as members of the public. As fate would have it, this gig in Philadelphia turned out to be one of Elvis’ last. The bloated, drug-affected Presley’s final public performance was a few weeks later in Indianapolis. In a late 70’s interview Springsteen commented that he and Van Zandt drove back to New Jersey without saying a word to one another, such was their disappointment with the performance.

04/09/77 - STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ

FUNKY BROADWAY / FURTHER ON UP THE ROAD

Audience tape. Springsteen guests with guitarist Billy Hector’s short-lived band THE SHOTS – they’d inherited the role of the Stone Pony’s house band from The Asbury Jukes. Hector would later form ‘The Fairlanes’ – another band that Bruce would make some shore area guest appearances with.

13/09/77 - STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY

I DON'T WANNA GO HOME / HAVIN' A PARTY / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE (cut) / BORN TO RUN

Audience tape - with Southside Johnny and The E St Band. Recollections differ as to if this was with the E St Band or just Southside and his band. This would mean that the tape allocated to this date is associated incorrectly.

Photo's courtesy of Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos & ticket courtesy of Billy Smith.

13/10/77 - STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY

DOWN IN THE VALLEY / AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG / SOOTH ME / LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL / CAROL

Audience tape - With Southside Johnny

00/10/77 - THE RECORD PLANT, NEW YORK, NY

STREET HASSLE

Bruce drops in on a session for Lou Reed’s work-in-progress album and records a Reed-composed, spoken narrative that forms a brief part of Reed’s 11-minute song “Street Hassle”. In the last line of the narrative Bruce states “tramps like us, baby we were born to play”. It’s not known if the inclusion of this line was Bruce or Lou’s idea. The recording was first released on Reed’s “Street Hassle” album in March 1978.

00/10/77 - THE RECORD PLANT, NEW YORK, NY

Springsteen donates songs to Patti Smith, who is recording her new album in the same studios at the same time as Bruce is recording his. According to interview comments in 2000 by Lenny Kaye (Smith’s guitarist and songwriting partner) Springsteen handed over demos of not one but three different songs for Smith/Kaye’s perusal, the first two of which Bruce apparently composed with Patti specifically in mind - and then a third one, “Because The Night”. Smith preferred the latter. After some re-writing of the Springsteen lyrics to give the song a more feminine, sensual feel the Patti Smith Group recorded the song in November. Springsteen didn’t perform on Smith’s studio version. The identities of other two Springsteen-donated songs (Smith never recorded either), remain an intriguing mystery. Kaye’s 2000 comment that “I would love to hear a tape of those (two) songs today” would indicate he doesn’t have a copy of these Springsteen mystery song demos in his collection. The Smith recording of “Because The Night” was first released as a USA single in late Feb 1978 and appeared on her “Easter” album in March. It was a major international hit single during the April-May 1978 period

“(LEFT to RIGHT): Patti Smith, Marge Raymond (lead singer of New Jersey band Flame), Bruce and Jimmy Iovine - out on the town in New York City in Nov or Dec 1977. Jimmy was the common denominator here, as he’d produced Flame’s two recent albums and was the Engineer/Producer of the respective Springsteen/Smith album sessions that were taking place in the same studios at the time”

04/11/77 - RECORD PLANT, NEW YORK, NY

A weary-sounding Springsteen takes part in a brief, 6-minute interview conducted by DJ Ed Sciaky and broadcast live by WIOQ-FM in Philadelphia. Bruce was at the Record Plant studios, Sciaky was at the radio station, with the hook-up made by telephone. The interview can be found on the 2cd set “DARKNESS ON THE AIR” (Mystic).

01/12/77 - PLAZA SOUND STUDIOS, NEW YORK, NY

FIRE

Bruce donates his unreleased song “Fire” to Robert Gordon and participates (on piano) in the recording session for the song. The recording was first released on Gordon’s “Fresh Fish Special” album in April 1978. The night following this session Bruce makes an unadvertised guest appearance with Gordon at nearby New York University (see below).

02/12/77 - NYU LOEB STUDENT CENTER, NEW YORK, NY

HEARTBREAK HOTEL

Audience Tape - With Link Wray and Robert Gordon

"Bruce performing with Robert Gordon (with Link Wray also visible in one of the shots) at New York University on December 2, 1977. Photos by Chuck Pulin"

22/12/77 - RECORD PLANT, NEW YORK, NY

Springsteen phones in a brief “Christmas greetings” message to radio station WHFS-FM in Bethesda, Maryland for all his longtime fans in that area. This was first broadcast the following day and then repeated during subsequent days. It can be found on the 2cd set “DARKNESS ON THE AIR” (Mystic).

30/12/77 - CBGB THEATER, NEW YORK, NY

BECAUSE THE NIGHT

Audience tape of the whole show exists. Springsteen guests on guitar and background vocals during this Patti Smith gig …on what in fact was the live world debut (by either artist) of their co-written song “Because The Night”. Smith had already recorded and completed her studio version at this point but it was still a couple of months away from being released.

31/12/77 - CAPITOL THEATRE, PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY

HAVIN' A PARTY (w/SSJ) / THE FEVER (w/SSJ) / I DON'T WANNA GO HOME (w/SSJ) / HIGHER AND HIGHER (w/SSJ) / LITTLE LATIN LUPE LU / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN / DRIVE ALL NIGHT - BACKSTREETS / BORN TO RUN / QUARTER TO THREE

Soundboard as well as Radio Broadcast – Springsteen & The ESB join Southside for 4 songs and then kick into a set of their own, the first two of which are broadcast live. “Backstreets” features the first known version of “Drive All Night” as the intro. The whole set was filmed by the Theatre crew and is circulating. Released on CD "Catch These Big Stars...." (Eagle Records). A full copy of the programme can be downloaded HERE - right click....save as (6mb) - thanks to Peter.

"Onstage on Dec 31, 1977. Bruce with Southside and the band - and featuring the double drum combo of Mighty Max and Popeye Pentifallo. Photo's courtesy - Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos. - more great pictures can be seen on the storyteller link. "

Page created September 1996 and updated June 28, 2008

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