Brucebase 1978

00/03/78 – THE RECORD PLANT, NEW YORK, NY

FASTER AND LOUDER

Springsteen, in the final stages of mixing his Darkness LP, drops by an adjoining studio where New York proto-punk band The Dictators are busy on a work-in-progress 3rd album. Bruce, a fan of the band’s first two albums, winds up contributing the brief count-in vocals for the song “Faster And Louder”. The recording was first released in July 1978 on The Dictators LP “Bloodbrothers”.

17/03/78 – TRAX, NEW YORK, NY

WEREWOLVES OF LONDON

Springsteen, along with James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther, Dickey Betts (of the Allman Brothers Band) and legendary promoter Bill Graham attend a performance by WARREN ZEVON at this tiny club then-located at 100 West 72nd Street. Zevon had just begun his ‘Excitable Boy’ Tour and this show (which didn’t start until 3am and lasted for nearly 2 hours) may have been of an invitation-only or promotional nature. At some point during the show some of the above-noted musicians/celebrities took the stage as a troupe to perform the “werewolf howls” background vocals on “Werewolves Of London”. Springsteen was definitely present but there are conflicting accounts if Bruce was part of the onstage troupe or not. Note: Springsteen performed at another Zevon concert three months later (see Brucebase listing for 23/06/78).

19/05/78 – PARAMOUNT THEATRE, ASBURY PARK, NJ

ADAM RAISED A CAIN (4.46) / FIRE (1.59) / SPANISH EYES (3.38) / BROKEN HEARTED (5.24) / THE WAY (3.55) / CANDYS ROOM (2.39) / PARADISE BY THE C (2.47) / TALK TO ME (3.35) / HEARTS OF STONE (4.24) / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (6.27) / RACING IN THE STREET (6.59) / THE PROMISED LAND (4.45) / PARADISE BY THE C (1:08 + 3.03) / KING TUT (0.48) / BADLANDS (4.24) / NIGHT (2.58) / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (4.54) / THE PROMISE (6.07) / ITS MY LIFE (cut, 4.22) / PARADISE BY THE C (3.20) / BADLANDS (5.11) / NIGHT (3.22) / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.31) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.59) / FOR YOU (5.34) / THUNDER ROAD (6.35) / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (4.42) / THE PROMISED LAND (4.04) / RACING IN THE STREET (8.28) / SATISFACTION (inst,1.55) / HEART FULL OF SOUL (2.03) / WHOLE LOTTA LOVE (inst, 1:19) / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (5.09) / ADAM RAISED A CAIN (6:18) / FIRE (2.30) / MONA – SHES THE ONE (6.59) / BACKSTREETS (cut,)

Audience tape. Darkness Tour rehearsals, with no members of the public present. These are predominantly full versions with some minor stylistic differences. “The Promise” is the full E St Band arrangement only played like this on the opening night of the Darkness Tour. A brief rendition of the song “King Tut” is performed (often mistakenly identified as “Wooly Bully”) (Apparently, the performance of “King Tut” results from an episode they saw of “Saturday Night Live” with comedian Steve Martin on April 22, 1978. Martin opened the show with the song, in an elaborate production number. The response to the song was so great Martin released a single in July that made the top ten). The performances of “The Way”, “Spanish Eyes” and “Broken Hearted” may indicate these unreleased songs had received some consideration for the Darkness LP (they were not performed on the subsequent Tour). Southside Johnny’s work-in-progress 3rd album sessions were ongoing at the time and versions of the Springsteen-composed “Talk To Me” and “Hearts Of Stone” heard on this tape appear (for some unknown reason) to be playbacks of studio takes featuring Southside on lead vocals. Quality varies quite a lot but there are some real gems in here. Released on CDR ‘ON YER MARK’

23/05/78 – SHEA THEATRE, BUFFALO, NY

SOUNDCHECK:

IS THAT ALL TO THE BALL MR HALL / THUNDER ROAD / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IS THAT ALL TO THE BALL MR HALL (15.43 TOTAL TIME) FIRE / SHE’S THE ONE

CONCERT:

BADLANDS (4.38)/ NIGHT (3.04)/ SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.34)/ FOR YOU (4.54)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.56)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.42)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (6.44)/ RACING IN THE STREET (start cut)(6.03)/ CANDYS ROOM (2.56)/ THE PROMISED LAND (4.57)/ PARADISE BY THE C (2.56)/ FIRE (2.31)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.26)/ STREETS OF FIRE (4.11)/ MONA – SHES THE ONE (11.27)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (cut)(6.54)/ BACKSTREETS (11.24)/ ROSALITA (9.22)/ THE PROMISE (6.04)/ BORN TO RUN (4.35)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (cut)(3.58)/ YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN (cut)(3.57)

Audience tape – Opening night of the Darkness tour. Includes the ONLY ever live performance of The Promise with the full E St Band. This concert was the live debut of 8 songs from Darkness…everything except Factory and Something In The Night (which had made its debut in 1976), and also features the full band version of For You. Backstreets has continued to evolve and the middle section contains the Sad Eyes rendition for the first time. Paradise By The C premieres as the start of the second set which also includes another premiere – Fire. Released on CDR “Opening Night In The Darkness” – covers the soundcheck as well, and “Go” (B Street)

“Bruce onstage in Buffalo for the opening night of the Darkness Tour. Photo by Aaron Morley”

24/05/78 – PALACE THEATRE, ALBANY, NY

BADLANDS (4.43)/ NIGHT (3.11)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.41)/ SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.58)/ FOR YOU (5.09)/ THUNDER ROAD (6.54)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (7.02)/ RACING IN THE STREET (7.27)/ CANDYS ROOM (2.54)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.04)/ PARADISE BY THE C (3.05)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (5.28)/ FIRE (2.34)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.19)/ MONA – SHES THE ONE (13.07)/ BACKSTREETS (11.39)/ ROSALITA (11.13)/ THE PROMISE (6.13)/ BORN TO RUN (4.57)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.40)

Audience tape, good quality with no cuts.

Above right – Onstage in Albany May 24th 1978 – photo by Martin Benjamin.

26/05/78 – THE SPECTRUM, PHILADELPHIA, PA

S/C: THUNDER ROAD / BADLANDS / NIGHT / PARADISE BY THE C / THE PROMISED LAND / SHE’S THE ONE / BADLANDS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / FOR YOU / CANDY’S ROOM / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / THE PROMISED LAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / GROWIN’ UP / IT’S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN

Audience tape – (runs slow) First Growin’ Up and Saint In The City of the tour. See the storyteller link for more of Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos great pictures.

Photo courtesy – Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos

27/05/78 – THE SPECTRUM, PHILADELPHIA, PA

S/C: JUNGLELAND / LUCILLE / FIRE / LUCILLE / BADLANDS

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / GROWIN’ UP / IT’S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN

Audience tape – First Jungleland of the ’78 tour. Available on CDR “Philadelphia 78”

Photo’s courtesy – Peter Howes/AsburyBrucePhotos – upper left – intro to “Prove It”

29/05/78 – BOSTON MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA

PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / GROWIN’ UP / IT’S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN

Audience tape – Incomplete setlist – Racing In The Street segues directly into Thunder Road from this show onwards.

30/05/78 – BOSTON MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / CANDY’S ROOM / GROWIN’ UP / IT’S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT

Audience tape – Premiere of Because The Night. Released on CDR “Defining The Million Dollar Sound”

31/05/78 – BOSTON MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA

BADLANDS (4.36)/ NIGHT (3.03)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.42)/ SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.52)/ FOR YOU (4.59)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.06)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (7.22)/ RACIN’ IN THE STREET (8.11)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.35)/ PARADISE BY THE C (3.13)/ FIRE (2.41)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (5.25)/ MONA – SHE’S THE ONE (10.36)/ GROWIN’ UP (7.51)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (4.17)/ BACKSTREETS (12.17)/ ROSALITA (8.52)/ THE PROMISE (6.04)/ BORN TO RUN (4.31)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.35)/ QUARTER TO THREE (8.51)

Audience tape – features the first Quarter to Three of the tour. Released on CD “Looking For That Million Dollar Sound” (BM).

02/06/78 – US NAVAL ACADAMY, ANNAPOLIS, MD

NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / SEA CRUISE / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT

Near-complete setlist is known, perhaps with 1 or 2 songs missing. This was Springsteen’s 2nd appearance at the Academy (he’d played here on May 28, 1976). Unfortunately the only known audio source is incomplete (it includes the above-noted setlist up to and including “Backstreets”. The last three tracks noted in the above setlist were apparently also played, including a repeat performance of “Sea Cruise” that is unique to the 1976 and 1978 Naval Academy shows. A Mid-shipman threw his hat on stage during “Sea Cruise” – Bruce grabbed it and wore it during the song. Thanks to Tom McCafferty for the info.

Thanks also to Tom for his signed ticket scan – upper right.

03/06/78 – NASSAU COLISEUM, UNIONDALE, NY

BADLANDS (4.34)/ NIGHT (2.58)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.25)/ SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (5.18)/ FOR YOU (4.51)/ THE PROMISED LAND (4.49)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (7.45)/ RACING IN THE STREET (7.06)/ THUNDER ROAD (cuts to diff source)(6.02)/ PARADISE BY THE C (3.11)/ FIRE (2.34)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (5.22)/ MONA – SHES THE ONE (10.58)/ GROWING UP (8.33)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (4.24)/ BACKSTREETS (11.56)/ ROSALITA (9.48)/ THE PROMISE (5.44)/ BORN TO RUN (cut at start)(4.25)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (cuts to diff source)(4.07)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.31)/ QUARTER TO THREE (end cut)(6.24)

Audience tape – First appearence of Sandy for the 1978 tour. “Rosalita” includes a snippet of “Mickey’s Monkey” Two new audience sources are now available that represent considerable upgrades. Released on CDR “Sandy Night”. The 3 DC set from Fanatic Records, “Nassau Night in 78” is the one to aquire.

05/06/78 – SPORTS ARENA, TOLEDO, OH

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape – Incomplete set. Released on CDR “Talk About A Dream”

06/06/78 – CONVENTION CENTRE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

No set details or audio known. Information is sketchy but apparently some female dancers from a nearby strip club called ‘The Red Garter’ joined Bruce and the ESB onstage during this show’s encore – an incident that Springsteen alluded to years later – during a Nov 21, 1996 solo gig in Indianapolis.

08/06/78 – DANE COUNTY COLISEUM, MADISON, WI

BADLANDS (4.37)/ NIGHT (3.09)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.55)/ SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (6.05)/ FOR YOU (5.05)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.00)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (6.56)/ RACING IN THE STREET (speed fluctuations and edits)(8.10)/ THUNDER ROAD (speed fluctuations)(6.13)/ JUNGLELAND (9.43)/ PARADISE BY THE C (3.12)/ FIRE (2.43)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (edit)(5.37)/ MONA – SHES THE ONE (10.46)/ GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS (11.31)/ ROSALITA (edits)(8.31)/ BORN TO RUN (4.27)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.13)/QUARTER TO THREE (9.11)

Audience tape

09/06/78 – ARENA, MILWAUKEE, WI

BADLANDS (4.24)/ NIGHT (2.59)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.28)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.21)/ FOR YOU (5.05)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.01)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (7.24)/ RACING IN THE STREET (6.39)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.39)/ JUNGLELAND (9.36)/ PARADISE BY THE C (3.10)/ FIRE (2.38)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (5.39)/ MONA – SHES THE ONE (edit)(11.14)/ GROWING UP (6.39)/ BACKSTREETS (11.14)/ ROSALITA (9.20)/ BORN TO RUN (4.32)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.14)/ QUARTER TO THREE (8.53)

Audience tape of very high quality – excellent sound and atmosphere. Released on CDR “No Bombs Tonight”

10/06/78 – MET SPORTS CENTER, BLOOMINGTON, MN

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / QUARTER TO THREE

The above-noted 20-song setlist (likely to represent the entire show) is taken from an incomplete audience tape of the show combined with an attendee recollection that’s deemed reliable. Allegedly this audience tape exists in complete form but it’s not in collector circulation – our understanding is the non-circulating segments suffer from technical problems. Just over 10 minutes of Super-8, color film footage of this show is in circulation (sometimes incorrectly noted as being from 29/11/78). This footage encompasses excerpts of 5 songs – “Badlands” and “Night” (both originally without sound), as well as excerpts of “Spirit In The Night”, She’s The One” and “Rosalita” (all with sound). The two songs with no audio have recently been ‘married’ to this show’s previously circulating audio and the complete footage with audio is now available on the DVD ‘BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: 8MM’ (Brucevideos Productions).

23/06/78 – PARAMOUNT THEATRE, PORTLAND, OR

I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD

No known audio. As he had done a couple of months earlier in New York City, Springsteen makes an unannounced guest appearance at a WARREN ZEVON gig – this time playing guitar, harmonica and sharing vocals on a wild, extended version of “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”, Warren’s final encore of the evening.

24/06/78 – PARAMOUNT THEATRE, PORTLAND, OR

BADLANDS (4.24)/ NIGHT (2.59)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.51)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.12)/ FOR YOU (4.55)/ THE PROMISED LAND (4.51)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (8.37)/ RACING IN THE STREET (7.52)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.22)/ JUNGLELAND (9.10)/ PARADISE BY THE C (3.06)/ FIRE (2.34)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (5.02)/ MONA – SHES THE ONE (11.06)/ GROWIN’ UP (11.14)/ BACKSTREETS (cut)(9.05)/ ROSALITA (9.44)/ THE PROMISE (5.42)/ BORN TO RUN (4.15)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (4.03)/ QUARTER TO THREE (10.19)

Complete Show – Soundboard source. Promised Land features a completely out of tune guitar solo. Another great version of Adam Raised a Cain. Released on CD “Raising Cain” (E St Records)

25/06/78 – PARAMOUNT NORTHWEST THEATRE, SEATTLE, WA

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / MONA – NOT FADE AWAY – SHE’S THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / I FOUGHT THE LAW / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape. Released on CDR “Darkness On The Edge Of Seattle” – covers the second set only. Three tracks were also included on the CD “Winterland Night” (CC) Also available on CDR “Shut Down Strangers And Hot Rod Angels”.

26/06/78 – QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE, VANCOUVER

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREETS / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / QUARTER TO THREE

Setlist from a newspaper review of the concert – Thanks Rich!

29/06/78 – PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, SAN JOSE, CA

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND

Audience tape – Incomplete setlist.

06/07/78 – SUNDANCE CLUB, LOS ANGELES, CA

CAROL

Springsteen and actor Gary Busey (of Buddy Holly Story fame) join obscure Oklahoma-based country rock outfit THE OLD DOG BAND for a song. One of the band members was Gary Busey’s brother.

07/07/78 – THE ROXY, LOS ANGELES, CA

INTRO / RAVE ON (2.49)/ BADLANDS (4.33)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.35)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.16)/ CANDYS ROOM (3.13)/ FOR YOU (5.04)/ POINT BLANK (6.31)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.10)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (8.47)/ RACING IN THE STREET (8.22)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.44)/ PARADISE BY THE C (3.20)/ FIRE (2.40)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (5.36)/ MONA – SHES THE ONE (13.27)/ GROWING UP (9.14)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (4.39)/ BACKSTREETS (12.41)/ HEARTBREAK HOTEL (2.15)/ ROSALITA (9.57)/ INDEPENDENCE DAY (5.12)/ BORN TO RUN (4.32)/ BECAUSE THE NIGHT (5.45)/ RAISE YOUR HAND (4.50)/ TWIST AND SHOUT (7.18)

FM broadcast – Premiere of Point Blank, Rave On and Independence Day is performed solo on piano for only time on the tour. Point Blank features different lyrics to later versions and is played slightly differently. Originally broadcast on KMET FM Radio. Point Blank and Thunder Road have been edited where the original broadcast had problems. Probably one of the best shows Bruce will ever do. Available on many unofficial LP’s and on CD’s “Roxy Night” (CC), “Hands Towards The Sky” (LOB) and most recently on “No Private Parties” (Ev2). This show was one of the main source concerts for the official “Live/1975-85” box set, which includes no less than eight recordings from this show (“Spirit In The Night”, “Paradise By The ‘C’, “Adam Raised A Cain”, “Growin’ Up” [with a few cuts in the middle-part “lawyer” story], “Saint In The City”, a heavily edited “Backstreets”, “Rosalita” and “Raise Your Hand”). Another performance recorded that night, “For You”, was later released as a B-side/bonus track on 7”/12” vinyl worldwide, and on CD in Japan only (“Live Collection” EP). In addition, a short live excerpt from this show (Bruce’s speech given after “Badlands” about a photo recently taken of him) was officially – and exclusively – released on a promotion-only 7” flexidisc issued to subscribers of Austrian pop magazine “Rennbahn Express” in June 1981.Thanks to Lost in the flood for the update.

08/07/78 – VETS MEMORIAL COLISEUM, PHOENIX, AZ

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / RAISE YOUR HAND / QUARTER TO THREE

Complete audience tape exists in addition to soundboard audio for those songs that are circulating on film. Some, very possibly all, of this show was filmed (in 35mm) by director Arnold Levine. Film of “Rosalita”, “Prove It All Night” and “Badlands” were originally released promotionally – with the most widely distributed promo, “Rosalita”, later issued commercially (in edited form) on Springsteen’s Video Anthology series. The two other verified Levine film recordings from this show currently circulating are “Promised Land” and “Born To Run”. All 5 have surfaced as bonus material on Watchdog’s DVD ‘Live On The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour’ in outstanding quality; obviously taken a very low-generation copy of the master. A circulating film clip of “Raise Your Hand” may also be from this show, although there remains some uncertainty over its true source. Thanks to Jeff for setlist update.

09/07/78 – RADIO STATION KBFH-FM, SAN DIEGO, CA

Springsteen and Landau visit KBFH-FM and Bruce takes part in an interview + music program hosted by DJ Dave Herman. Again, as was done a few days earlier at KMET-FM in Los Angeles, live recordings of “Prove It All Night” and “Paradise By The Sea” from the July 1st Berkeley gig are broadcast as part of Bruce’s interview appearance at the station. The entire Herman program (interview +music) is available on a bonus CD with Crystal Cat’s “Agora Night” package. Thanks to Lost In The Flood for the update.

09/07/78 – SPORTS ARENA, SAN DIEGO, CA

BADLANDS (4.22)/ I FOUGHT THE LAW (2.26)/ NIGHT (2.48)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.24)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (cut)(3.57)/ CANDY’S ROOM (2.50)/ FOR YOU (4.42)/ THE PROMISED LAND (4.49)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (cut)(7.10)/ RACING IN THE STREET (8.46)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.27)/ PARADISE BY THE C (3.15)/ FIRE (2.37)/ STREETS OF FIRE (4.23)/ ADAM RAISED A CAIN (5.33)/ NOT FADE AWAY – GLORIA – SHE’S THE ONE (11.15)/ GROWIN’ UP (9.40)/ BACKSTREETS (10.59)/ ROSALITA (9.11)/ BORN TO RUN (4.24)/ BECAUSE THE NIGHT (5.57)/ QUARTER TO THREE (8.27)

Audience tape – First appearence of Streets of Fire since the first show. Released on CDR “Not Fade Away”

12/07/78 – CONVENTION CENTRE (THEATRE), DALLAS, TX

BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FOR YOU / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / FIRE / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / NOT FADE AWAY – SHE’S THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN / BECAUSE THE NIGHT

As had been the case during every Texas tour since 1974, Springsteen proved very popular in Houston and Austin – but for some strange reason had trouble selling seats in Dallas. This show had originally been scheduled for the main 10,000-seat Convention Centre but due to poor advanced ticket sales it was shifted to its 1,700-seat Theatre. A Brucebase reader who attended comments: “Concert-goers had to exchange their tickets, so there was a delay in starting the show. People were starting to get impatient and began rhythmic hand clapping and foot stomping. The MC made one announcement, but it didn’t let up. All of a sudden out comes Bruce, who said something like “O.K. you guys! Hang on for a little longer until we get everyone in. We have a long show ahead of us tonight”! The above-mentioned, slightly incomplete setlist is taken from an audience tape, as released on CDR “Get Outta My Face”.

25/07/78 – CIVIC AUDITORIUM, JACKSONVILLE, FL

CANCELLED show, never re-scheduled. Although noted in a pre-tour itinerary in ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine, no contract for this show was signed, no local newspaper ADs were placed and no tickets ever went on sale. The early abandonment of this proposed gig had nothing to do with Springsteen’s throat infection and postponement-rescheduling of the concert in Atlanta two nights earlier (see above listing).

26/07/78 – CIVIC CENTER, LAKELAND, FL

28/07/78 – JAI ALAI FRONTON, MIAMI, FL

SUMMERTIME BLUES / BADLANDS / NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FACTORY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / HEARTBREAK HOTEL / I FOUGHT THE LAW / FOR YOU / NOT FADE AWAY – GLORIA – SHE’S THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape – First known version of Summertime Blues, and the last appearence in 1978 of Night.

04/08/78 – CIVIC CENTRE, CHARLESTON, V.W.

OH BOY (1.52)/ BADLANDS (4.24)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.00)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.13)/ FACTORY (2.21)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.25)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (CUT) (2.41)/ RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD (5.24)/ JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C (3.10)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.36)/ SHERRY DARLIN’ (4.11)/ NOT FADE AWAY – SHE’S THE ONE (12.21)/ GROWIN’ UP (11.18)/ BACKSTREETS – DRIVE ALL NIGHT (cut) (11.51)/ ROSALITA (11.41)/ BORN TO RUN (4.41)/ BECAUSE THE NIGHT (6.30)/ QUARTER TO THREE (cut) (3.50)

Soundboard recording – last known version of Oh Boy and premiere of Sherry Darling with some different lyrics. Released on CD “Oh Boy” (BS) and more recently in a remastered version with the same name (E ST).

05/08/78 – LOUISVILLE GARDENS, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

BADLANDS (4.17) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.41) / SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN (2.56) / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (3.40) / FACTORY (2.42) / THE PROMISED LAND (5.07) / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (9.41) / RACING IN THE STREET (7.54) / THUNDER ROAD (5.01) / JUNGLELAND (8.43) / PARADISE BY THE C (3.18) / SANDY (6.11) / SHERRY DARLING (3.42) / MONA – SHES THE ONE (12.14) / GROWING UP (9.58) / BACKSTREETS (start cut, 11.22) / ROSALITA (11.31) / BORN TO RUN (4.06) / BECAUSE THE NIGHT (end cut, 5.41) + backstage interview

Soundboard sourced – flat sound with some hiss but good instrument separation. This circulating audio is only missing the (1 or 2) encore songs that followed “Because The Night”. To start the show the MC announces “They’re Off!” in recognition of the Kentucky Derby. Show includes the first known ESB performance of “Sweet Little Sixteen” since 1973. Bruce loses his place during “Rosalita”, which results in an unusual instrumental break until Bruce picks up the song again. Note: Following this show Springsteen gives a backstage interview to journalist David White, which was first broadcast on Sept 3, 1978 on Radio Station 2SM in Sydney, Australia as part of an in-house produced “Bruce Springsteen Story” history-music-interview Special (it included the live “Prove It All Night” promo audio from the July 1st Berkeley show). Thanks to Wessley for the info.

12/08/78 AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER, AUGUSTA, ME

SUMMETIME BLUES / BADLANDS / FACTORY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SHERRY DARLIN’ / NOT FADE AWAY – GLORIA – SHE’S THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN

Complete set details not known and THERE IS NO KNOWN AUDIO. Above songs are culled from attendee recollections of the show, and also that during a great version of ROSALITA, Bruce was acting up running around etc.then he runs to the mic and announces “someone stop me….before I hurt myself”….then he collapses to the stage ….Clarence rushes over to play sax ofer him and a few girls rush the stage and huddle around him til he revives and they are wisked away and then he continues again. GROWIN’ UP features a mid song story variation of being chased by armed forces of all types etc. and BACKSTREETS features Bruce referencing the singer Stevie Lawrence and he sang a Lawrence song “Little Blue Eyes”….before going back to “….hiding in the backstreets” Thanks to Andy for all these recollections. The back of the stage area of this 8,700-seat venue was curtained off. Consequently the seating was reduced to 6,000 for this show.

28/08/78 – STANLEY THEATRE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

GOOD ROCKING TONIGHT / BADLANDS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / STREETS OF FIRE / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / LOST IN THE FLOOD / QUARTER TO THREE

THERE IS NO CIRCULATING AUDIO FROM THIS SHOW. The setlist above is partial but near complete, with just 3 or 4 titles missing. Culled from reports in the Pittsburgh papers and attendee recollections. One Pittsburgh newspaper mentions “Something In Night,” returning for the first time in a couple of months. The Pittsburgh Press mentions a stunning piano solo rendition of “Lost In The Flood” that Bruce plays as a special request – and he utilizes his lyrics notebook to ensure he doesn’t mess it up.

29/08/78 – STANLEY THEATRE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

BADLANDS / CANDY’S ROOM / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT’S MY LIFE / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FACTORY / THE PROMISED LAND / I HEARD THAT LONESOME WHISTLE / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FEVER / SAINT IN THE CITY / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SHERRY DARLING / MONA – SHES THE ONE / GROWIN’ UP / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape – Only known version of I Heard That Lonesome Whistle and the first It’s My Life for the tour.

30/08/78 – RICHFIELD COLISEUM, CLEVELAND, OH

GOOD ROCKIN’ TONIGHT / BADLANDS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / STREETS OF FIRE / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / HEARTBREAK HOTEL / ADAM RAISED A CAIN / CANDY’S ROOM / THE FEVER / LOST IN THE FLOOD / GROWIN’ UP / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY)/ NOT FADE AWAY – SHES THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / RUNAROUND SUE

Complete setlist is not known but five songs are mentioned as having been played in a review of the show in the Cleveland Plain dealer. “Lost In The Flood” makes another rare appearance in its piano-solo incarnation. One reader present comments “I can tell you he opened with Elvis’s Good Rockin’ Tonight, and played almost the same show as the Detroit show right after — Badlands, Spirits in the Night, Streets of Fire, Darkness on the Edge of Town, the “life story” version of Growin’ Up, et al. He did that incredible solo piano version of Lost in the Flood, a killer Born to Run. He also played 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) and encored with Runaround Sue with all of the house lights on. What a night!” Thanks to Mark Kuhar for the report.

Following the show WNEW-TV filmed an interview with Bruce for its PM Magazine programme.

Thanks to Mark Kuhar for the upper right ticket scan.

09/09/78 – NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY, SOUTH BEND, IN

BADLANDS (4.59)/ CANDYS ROOM (3.08)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.07)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.10)/ ITS MY LIFE (4.47)/ FACTORY (3.37)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.30)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (cut)(???)/ PARADISE BY THE SEA (3.21)/ DOUBLE SHOT OF MY BABYS LOVE (4.29)/ LOUIE LOUIE (2.09)/ FIRE (2.38)/ FOR YOU (4.55)/ 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.37)/ NOT FADE AWAY – SHES THE ONE (13.16)/ BACKSTREETS (11.20)/ ROSALITA (10.40)/ BORN TO RUN (4.31)/ BECAUSE THE NIGHT (6.08)/ QUARTER TO THREE (10.22)/ TWIST AND SHOUT (6.17)

Audience tape – Premiere of Double Shot which is excellent, followed by the first Louie Louie. Released on CDR “The Hunchback Of E Street” & “South Bend 78” The tape is incomplete cutting during Prove It All Night – it’s likely that the usual 3 songs (Racing…, Thunder Road, Jungleland) followed to close out the first set.

10/09/78 – RIVERFRONT COLISEUM, CINCINNATTI, OH

BADLANDS / STREETS OF FIRE / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FACTORY / HEARTBREAK HOTEL / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / CANDY’S ROOM / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / GLORIA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Full setlist now known – thanks to Terry via Killing Floor, but another reader contributed his memory of the night and states that he recalls FEVER as part of the set. Another fan pointed out that the boot LP “Lip Sync In Cincinnati” is from this show but it turns out that the boot is actually a selection of tracks from 19/09/78 so there is NO KNOWN audio circulating from this show.

This particular night was the special broadcast of a 2 hour special radio show on King Buscuit (KBFH) which was a series of interviews and mostly album tracks but also included two live cuts from 01/07/78.

12/09/78 – WAR MEMORIAL, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

BADLANDS / STREETS OF FIRE / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / HEARTBREAK HOTEL / FACTORY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / PARADISE BY THE C / FIRE / CANDY’S ROOM / IT’S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAVE ON / NOT FADE AWAY – GLORIA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape

19/09/78 – CAPITOL THEATRE, PASSAIC, NJ

S/C: WEDDING BELLS (several takes) (7.45)/ THE TIES THAT BIND (instrumental warm up + full take) (5:44)/ GOOD ROCKIN’ TONIGHT (1.05)/ (piano instrumental) (1.29)/ THUNDER ROAD (instrumental) (2.02)/ I’M ALIVE (2.46)/ (guitar instrumental) (1.14)/ WHOLE LOTTA LOVE (instrumental) (1:06)/ DON’T BE CRUEL (vocal ad-lib) (0.23)/ I CAN’T HELP IT (IF I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU) (1.32)/ GUESS THINGS HAPPEN THAT WAY (two takes) (1.46)/ HEY PORTER (vocal ad-lib) (0.02)/ I WALK THE LINE (0.54)/ I HEARD THAT LONESOME WHISTLE (0.33)/ (piano instrumental) (0.32)/ GO AWAY (COME CLOSE) (several takes) (7.42)/ HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL (0.28)/ GO AWAY(COME CLOSE) (1.09)

Super-fascinating soundcheck, another taped from outside the venue. Gearing up for a three-night stand at the Capitol, Bruce works through several Hank Williams-Johnny Cash classics, tackles the 1964 Hollies single “I’m Alive,” Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and addresses new material as well.

“Go Away (Come Close)” is a moody, minor key ballad, either newly written or from the Darkness album sessions. Another one that got away. Meanwhile, “The Ties That Bind” may well be a band debut, as Bruce carefully reviews chord changes before they try it out. The raw, edgy arrangement is VERY different from the Searchers-styled rendition Springsteen would debut in concert in November, being more like Jeff Beck-era Yardbirds, a la “You’re A Better Man Than I.” The careful arrangement of “Wedding Bells” is stark and moving, with slower versions approaching the mood Bruce would later achieve with “Used Cars” on 1982’s Nebraska.

These recordings all likely derive from this one soundcheck. With Bruce carrying his own sound crew, and the venue remaining the same for three consecutive evenings, there would be no need to do another on the 20th or 21st. The first three songs, plus bits of “Point Blank” and “Kitty’s Back,” circulate on DVD from an excellent in-line source. The 1990s Great Dane CD, Capitol Soundcheck, used this source for their three-track disc. Thanks to Johnny Savage for the review.

BADLANDS (4.58)/ STREETS OF FIRE (4.49)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.52)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.12)/ INDEPENDENCE DAY (5.27)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.23)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (9.27)/ RACING IN THE STREET (8.03)/ THUNDER ROAD (6.28)/ MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER (3.16)/ JUNGLELAND (9.39)/ KITTY’S BACK (12.41)/ FIRE (2.52)/ CANDY’S ROOM (3.02)/ BECAUSE THE NIGHT (6.34)/ POINT BLANK (6.33)/ NOT FADE AWAY-SHE’S THE ONE (11.27)/ BACKSTREETS (11.30)/ ROSALITA (10.17)/ 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.36)/ BORN TO RUN (4.27)/ TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.54)/ DETROIT MEDLEY (7.22)/ RAISE YOUR HAND (4.22)

Radio broadcast and soundboard tapes – Probably one of the best all-time concert recordings. Great versions of “Because The Night” and “Fire,” and also includes what many consider to be the best examples of “Racing In The Street” and “Thunder Road” ever! – Essential. Also, video footage is available. A short live excerpt from this show (Bruce’s band introduction during “Rosalita”) was officially – and exclusively – released on a promotion-only 7″ flexidisc issued to subscribers of Austrian pop magazine “Rennbahn Express” in June 1981. Thanks to Lost in the Flood for that info. Following the show, WBCN-TV news reporter Felipe Luciano interviews Bruce. Released on CD “Piece De Resistance” (GDR) & “Southside Bruce And The E Street Jukes” (SEA) and most recently as “Passaic Night” (CC)

Part of the soundcheck and all of the concert now circulate on an average-to-poor quality DVD, although a recently enhanced 2 DVD version has been released, which is worth getting. That TV report by New York’s “Channel 4 News,” which includes partial, pro-shot colour footage of three songs from this show (“Badlands,” “Spirit In The Night” and “Born To Run”) and a short backstage interview, is circulating on fan-made DVDs. A full copy of the programme can be downloaded HERE. (right click…save as )(6mb) Thanks Peter.

Thanks to Peter for the upper right advert.

26/10/78 – SPRINGSTEEN RESIDENCE, HOLMDEL, NJ

THE TIES THAT BIND (4:05) / THE TIES THAT BIND (3:40) / THE TIES THAT BIND (0:46) / TONIGHT (3:47) / TONIGHT (1:24) / TONIGHT (3:11) / TONIGHT (2:57) / TONIGHT (3:33) / TONIGHT (3:51) / WILD KISSES (I’M GONNA TREAT YOU RIGHT) (4:16) / JANEY NEEDS A SHOOTER (6:49, end cut)

After a month’s break in the Darkness Tour, and a few days away from the start of the final tour leg, Bruce convenes a band rehearsal in a converted barn on his farmhouse property on Telegraph Hill Road in Holmdel. This barn, which Bruce had been using for band rehearsals since mid 1976, was nicknamed the “Telegraph Hill Studio”, although in reality it was not a studio – there were no high level room acoustics or recording facilities. The above-mentioned partial setlist (the actual performing order is not known) is culled from very crudely recorded audio that is believed to emanate from this Oct 1978 rehearsal. Unfortunately the sound quality is not good and Springsteen’s vocals are buried beneath the instruments. All this audio has been in circulation since 1984 (originally among only a few people in cassette form). However the audio seems to have quickly been broken up into individual tracks and didn’t circulate complete. This material then soon trickled into the hands of vinyl bootleggers and within 15 months all the material had appeared on various different (vinyl) bootlegs – most of it misidentified.

The 1984 – 1994 history of this rehearsal audio; from cassette tape (just a few collectors) to vinyl (a limited group of collectors) to CD (a very wide group of collectors) warrants elaboration here – “Wild Kisses” first appeared in mid 1985 as a bonus 7” single in the very rare colored vinyl edition of the 10LP box set ‘ALL THOSE YEARS (SC Records). “Janey Needs A Shooter” first appeared in late 1985 on the vinyl LP boot ‘ELECTRIC COLLECTION’ (Rough Stuff). Soon afterwards, in early 1986, both “Wild Kisses” and “Janey Needs A Shooter”, plus one of the takes of “Tonight” appeared on the scarce 4LP set ‘STUDIO COLLECTION’ (Babel Records). In mid 1986 one of the takes of “Ties That Bind” and another take of “Tonight” appeared on the vinyl LP boot ‘FEVER’ (Backstreets Records). Finally, in early 1987 all of the audio (with the exception of “Janey Needs A Shooter”) appeared on the extremely rare vinyl LP boot “AT HOME’ (Rock Records). However due to the scarcity of these (above noted) vinyl bootleg titles this rehearsal audio was not well known in the collector community until it appeared in the 1990’s on widely distributed CD format bootlegs. This material is often listed as emanating from the Darkness Studio sessions – however the audio dynamics are clearly from a rehearsal location, not a studio environment. All this audio (except “Janey Needs A Shooter”) became widely known when it appeared on the big-selling 1990’s era CD boot “UNSURPASSED SPRINGSTEEN VOL 6” (Yellow Dog). Likewise “Janey Needs A Shooter” became well known when it appeared on the big selling 1990’s CD boots ‘DEFINITIVE DARKNESS OUTTAKES COLLECTION’ (E Street) and ‘THE ICEMAN, VOL 1’ (Scorpio).

The rehearsal itself would’ve lasted much longer, so the known audio likely represents only a part of the session. The audio includes 3 takes of “The Ties That Bind”, 6 takes of “Tonight”, 1 take of the Buddy Holly-ish “I’m Gonna Treat You Right (Wild Kisses)” and 1 take of “Janey Needs A Shooter” (which unfortunately ends abruptly, seemingly because the recorder’s tape ran out, not because the band stopped suddenly). As it turned out “The Ties That Bind” made its public live debut at Princeton a few days later.

01/11/78 – PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, PRINCETON, NJ

S/C: THUNDER ROAD / BADLANDS / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / THE PROMISED LAND

BADLANDS / STREETS OF FIRE / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THE TIES THAT BIND / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / INDEPENDENCE DAY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / FIRE / CANDY’S ROOM / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / POINT BLANK / THE FEVER / NOT FADE AWAY – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape – Premiere of The Ties That Bind. A reader present comments “I rank this as one of the all-time greatest Bruce concerts (of the 50+ I have attended and I know I’m just a piker on that standard). The audience jumping and dancing caused the gym floor to vibrate and move up and down. The “urban legend” is that this concert caused structural damage to the facility and that this was the last major rock concert to take place in Jadwin gym.” Thanks to Michael.

05/11/78 – UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, DURHAM, NH

SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / INDEPENDENCE DAY / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / JUNGLELAND / FIRE / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / POINT BLANK / NOT FADE WAY – GLORIA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / DETROIT MEDLEY

Sadly THERE IS NO KNOWN AUDIO FROM THIS SHOW because there had been tremendous anticipation on campus, the crowd was completely ecstatic and Bruce responded with a scorching performance. Partial setlist details above (not necessarily in the correct sequence) are known via an insightful review of the show in the school newspaper the following day.

07/11/78 – CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, NY

BADLANDS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THE TIES THAT BIND / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / INDEPENDENCE DAY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / FIRE / CANDY’S ROOM / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / POINT BLANK / MONA – NOT FADE AWAY – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape. The first-ever rock concert at Cornell with a reserved seating policy. The 20-song setlist (above) is the complete show. “Fire” opened the 2nd set. Confusion reigned on the day of the show when a band of merry pranksters went around campus posting leaflets announcing the concert had been cancelled. It hadn’t.

10/11/78 – ST BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY, ST BONAVENTURE, NY

INDEPENDENCE DAY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / FIRE / SHERRY DARLING / LOUIE LOUIE / CANDY’S ROOM / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / POINT BLANK / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Incomplete audience tape with speed fluctuations – rare preformance of Louie Louie and Detroit Medley has a line from Whole Lotta Shakin thrown in.

12/11/78 – RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, TROY, NY

S/C: BADLANDS (start cut)/ HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL / I DON’T WANNA HANG UP MY ROCK & ROLL SHOES / HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL / HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (start only) / POINT BLANK (instrumental only) / APACHE / THE PROMISED LAND (partial) – time 27 min total

Show: HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL / BADLANDS / STREETS OF FIRE / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / INDEPENDENCE DAY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / RAVE ON / FIRE / CANDY’S ROOM / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / POINT BLANK / MONA – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / SANDY / BORN TO RUN / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape – complete show, released on CD ‘LIVE IN TROY’ (IMT). The soundcheck has very poor sound quality but does feature a complete rendition of British band THE SHADOWS’ 1960 instrumental hit “Apache”, a song which Springsteen and the band had played in concert at a few club shows in 1973 but are not known to have performed since. However they didn’t play it during this night’s actual concert.

28/12/78 – STANLEY THEATRE, PITTSBURGH, PA

RAMROD / BADLANDS / STREETS OF FIRE / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / 4TH JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / FACTORY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / IT’S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN / THE FEVER / FIRE / CANDY’S ROOM / POINT BLANK / NOT FADE AWAY – PREACHERS DAUGHTER – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / RAVE ON / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape – first known version of Ramrod which is a different arrangement to all later versions.

30/12/78 – COBO HALL, DETROIT, MI

BADLANDS / STREETS OF FIRE / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / RAVE ON / DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN / INDEPENDENCE DAY / THE PROMISED LAND / PROVE IT ALL NIGHT / RACING IN THE STREET / THUNDER ROAD / JUNGLELAND / TIES THAT BIND / SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN / THE FEVER / FIRE / CANDY’S ROOM / BECAUSE THE NIGHT / POINT BLANK / MONA – PREACHERS DAUGHTER – I GET MAD – SHE’S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / ROSALITA / BORN TO RUN / DETROIT MEDLEY / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT

Audience tape – updated setlist – thanks Grethe. Another report from a fan present has Twist and Shout played with the house lights on at the end of the show. It’s not on any audio available though. Thanks to Killing Floor for the info.

31/12/78 – RICHFIELD COLISEUM, CLEVELAND, OH

BADLANDS (4.46)/ STREETS OF FIRE (5.21)/ RENDEZVOUS (2.53)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.53)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.16)/ INDEPENDENCE DAY (5.24)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.25)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (11.16)/ PRETTY FLAMINGO (9.36)/ THUNDER ROAD (9.14)/ JUNGLELAND (9.44)/ THE TIES THAT BIND (3.32)/ SANTA CLAUS (7.56)/ FEVER (8.07)/ FIRE (3.02)/ CANDY’S ROOM (3.08)/ BECAUSE THE NIGHT (5.54)/ RAVE ON (2.05)/ AULD LANG SYNE (cut)(0.32)/ GOOD ROCKIN’ TONIGHT (4.20)/ POINT BLANK (fades in)(7.22)/ MONA – SHE’S THE ONE – I GET MAD (12.29)/ BACKSTREETS (12.49)/ ROSALITA (9.56)/ BORN TO RUN / DETROIT MEDLEY / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / QUARTER TO THREE

Soundboard (which has none of the encores) and audience tapes. Sound is good. Great versions of Jungleland & The Fever and the last known Pretty Flamingo. This is the famous “Firecracker” show where someone threw one on stage which hit Bruce. Released on CD “The Firecracker Show” (ML)

01/01/1979 – RICHFIELD COLISEUM, CLEVELAND, OH

RAVE ON (2.21)/ BADLANDS (4.58)/ RENDEZVOUS (2.46)/ SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.31)/ DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (4.06)/ FACTORY (3.02)/ STREETS OF FIRE (5.16)/ HEARTBREAK HOTEL (2.01)/ THE PROMISED LAND (5.13)/ PROVE IT ALL NIGHT (11.06)/ RACIN’ IN THE STREET (8.26)/ THUNDER ROAD (5.14)/ MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER (3.13)/ JUNGLELAND (start cut)(9.19)/ FOR YOU (cut severely)(4.26)/ SAINT IN THE CITY (5.01)/ SANTA CLAUS (8.19)/ I FOUGHT THE LAW (2.12)/ FEVER (start cut)(8.09)/ BECAUSE THE NIGHT (8.36)/ FIRE (2.54)/ CANDY’S ROOM (3.05)/ POINT BLANK (7.32)/ MONA – SHE’S THE ONE – GLORIA (13.19)/ BACKSTREETS (10.20)/ THE LAST TIME (2.26)/ ROSALITA (10.23)/ BORN TO RUN (4.20)/ DETROIT MEDLEY (8.22)/ 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT (cut) (2.49)/ QUARTER TO THREE

Audience tape – what a show! Last night of the tour. Last ever Streets Of Fire, Meeting Across The River (until 00/01), and The Fever – and the last E St Band Heartbreak Hotel. Rare performances of I Fought The Law and The Last Time. Soundboard tape covers the first 5 tracks from the second set. Released on CD “Meeting Across The River” (IHA