BRUCEBASE 1998
1949-1964 : 1965-1969
: 1970-71 : 1972 : 1973
: 1974 : 1975 : 1976
: 1977 : 1978 : 1979-80
: 1981 : 1982-3 : 1984
1985 : 1986-87 : 1988
: 1989-91 : 1992-95 : 1996
: 1997 : 1998 : 1999
: 2000 : 2001 : 2002
: 2003 : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 : 2007
22/01/98 -- SONY STUDIOS, NEW YORK, NY
THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD / ACROSS THE BORDER + interview
Springsteen and his backing band consisting of Danny Federici (keyboards), Jim Hanson (bass), Marty Rifkin (pedal steel) and Gary Mallaber (drums) are recorded and filmed by director Joe Berlinger performing two songs for the upcoming TV documentary ‘Where It’s At: The Rolling Stone State Of The Union”, a Rolling Stone Magazine 30th Anniversary Special. This was first broadcast on May 21, 1998 on the ABC network (later on MTV and VH-1). The short interview with Bruce in the documentary was apparently taped at the same time.
. This is the “live premiers” of “full band” versions of both songs.
30/01/98 -- COUNT BASIE THEATRE, RED BANK, NJ (Soundcheck)
TWO HEARTS / 10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / THE PROMISED LAND / BOBBY JEAN / BACKSTREETS / BADLANDS / BORN TO RUN
This is a special benefit concert, for the Police Officer killed in New Jersey, featuring Bruce and Jon Bon Jovi. The Souncheck featured the above Bruce tracks as well as many other Bon Jovi hits and a few covers.
31/01/98 -- COUNT BASIE THEATRE, RED BANK, NJ
THIS TIME IT'S FOR REAL / TWO HEARTS / BAD MEDICINE / UNTIL THE GOOD IS GONE /10TH AVENUE FREEZE OUT / BROKE DOWN PIECE OF MAN / HARD TIMES COME EASY / LOVE'S GLORY / THERE GOES MY BABY / THIS TIME BABY'S GONE FOR GOOD / YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME / THE PROMISED LAND / ALL I NEEDED IS YOU / SOMEDAY I'LL BE SATURDAY NIGHT / BOBBY JEAN / BLOOD ON BLOOD / THE FEVER / WORKING TOO HARD - LITTLE QUEENIE / I DON'T WANNA GO HOME / IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME / WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE / BACKSTREETS / FOREVER / LIVIN' ON A PRAYER / BADLANDS / I PLAYED THE FOOL / KEEP THE FAITH / BORN TO RUN / ROCKIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD / TREAT HER RIGHT / THUNDER ROAD
Audience and soundboard tape - By all accounts, a mega evening. Audience tape
available on CD "Red Bank Night" (CC). The soundboard is found on CD "Blood
On Blood". Thanks to Per and Scott for corrections. 
06/02/98 -- TRADEWINDS, SEA BRIGHT, NJ
EVERYBODY'S TRYING TO BE MY BABY / SWEET VIRGINIA / GUITAR TOWN / I AIN'T EVER SATISFIED / DEAD FLOWERS / JOHNNY COME LATELY
Audience tape - guest appearance with Steve Earle. Thanks to Bill and the
SPL for the date fix.
Thanks to Cathy for the ticket scan.
07/02/98 -- COUNT BASIE LEARNING CENTER, RED BANK, NJ
WE WEAR THIS MASK
A national “read-in day” event honoring Black History Month in the USA. Springsteen takes the stage alone and gives a moving recital of a work by African-American poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar.
02/03/98 -- NICK'S FAT CITY, PITTSBURGH, PA
NEVER BE ENOUGH TIME / TALKIN’ TO THE KING / WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR / HOMESTEAD / CHAIN SMOKIN' / LABOUR OF LOVE / MURDER INCORPORATED. / IDIOT'S DELIGHT / PUMPING IRON / RAMROD / LIGHT OF DAY-LAND OF 1000 DANCES / AMERICAN BABYLON / BROWN EYED GIRL / DOWN THE ROAD APIECE / REBEL MUSIC
With Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers. A lengthy show that was split into two sets. Bruce didn’t perform during the 1st set. However follow the intermission Springsteen took the stage for the entire 2nd set (the above setlist encompasses that entire 2nd set). Some blistering lead guitar by Springsteen during this performance. “Light Of Day” starts off with a few bars of “Peter Gunn Theme” on the guitar. Released on CDR "Wired".
04/04/98 -- BAY STREET THEATRE, SAG HARBOR, NY
OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING / THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
Tribute and stage dedication to stage director Elaine Steinbeck (husband of “Grapes of Wrath” author John Steinbeck). Elaine was present for the show (note: she passed away in 2003). Bruce performed “Beautiful Morning” early in the show and took the stage again near the end of the evening to perform “GOTJ”. Springsteen also attended the after-show dinner party. Steinbeck was a redhead and Springsteen later mentioned that he had nearly performed “Red Headed Woman” instead of “Beautiful Morning”. Audio exists for the first track - thanks to Eugene for the info.
20/09/98 -- STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ
Just to clear up any doubt, Bruce did not play at the Stone Pony's Last Ride. Southside Johnny did join Bobby Bandiera for a hot mini-set, including The Fever, on a very hot Sunday night.
11/10/98 -- SPRINGSTEEN RESIDENCE, COLT’S NECK, NJ
SHAKE RATTLE AND ROLL / JAMBALAYA / MYSTERY TRAIN / ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM / CHICKEN SHACK BOOGIE / RED HEADED WOMAN
No circulating audio. Belated outdoor birthday bash for Bruce at his farm property, originally planned for Sep 23rd but which had been delayed due to poor weather. As they had the previous year, NYC-based Cajun-roots band THE GOTHAM PLAYBOYS provided the entertainment. Bruce joined them for several songs (noted above). Party guests included Little Steven, Max Weinberg, Jon Bon Jovi and Sheryl Crow.
27/10/98 -- THE SAINT, ASBURY PARK, NJ
BORN IN THE USA / BORN IN THE USA / UNKNOWN BLUES SONG (May be BITUSA in strange key)
Said to be a run through for a video shoot to promote the new box set.
06/11/98 -- CLUB 251, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
SHAKE RATTLE AND ROLL / GOT MY MOJO WORKING / PINK CADILLAC / DOWN THE ROAD APIECE
With Clarence Clemons
19/11/98 -- NBC STUDIOS, NEW YORK, NY
Taping of 20-minute TV interview with Bob Costas, which was first aired on Dec 6, 1998 on NBC’s “Dateline” show. Springsteen brought his acoustic guitar with him to the studio for this interview in anticipation of perhaps playing something (it can be seen next to him in the video) but he ended up not performing.
20/11/98 -- THE CHARLIE ROSE SHOW, NEW YORK, NY
BORN IN THE USA
A lengthy (50 minute) TV interview, conducted in the early afternoon by journalist Charlie Rose at WNET Studios as part of his syndicated hour-long talk show, which was broadcast later that evening to PBS stations across the USA. Rose asks thoughtful questions (including about the just-released TRACKS box set) and it’s widely regarded as of the top Springsteen interviews in any media format. Following the interview Bruce closed the program with a superb solo acoustic rendition of “Born In The USA”. This performance (not the interview) is available officially on the “Bruce Springsteen Anthology 1978-2000” 2dvd package.
07/12/98 -- RADIO EINS, BERLIN, GERMANY
BORN IN THE USA
Springsteen travels to Berlin, gives a 40-minute radio interview and performs one song. Springsteen broke two strings on his 12-string guitar and performed the song with only 10 strings.
08/12/98 -- LATE NIGHT WITH LUUK, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
SAD EYES (rehearsal) / BORN IN THE USA (rehearsal) / BORN IN THE USA (broadcast)
Springsteen travels to Stockholm and tapes a solo performance, delayed broadcast and first shown on this Swedish TV show on December 15th. Bruce rehearsed the just-released (on TRACKS) “Sad Eyes” - but opted instead to play it safe and go with “Born In The USA”. There is no circulating audio or video of the rehearsal. Bruce leaves for Paris immediately following the taping.
09/12/98 -- CANAL+ TV, PARIS, FRANCE
BORN IN THE USA
TV-broadcast. Solo acoustic version with a minute long guitar intro. Bruce is a guest on the French television show “Nulle part Ailleurs” (Nowhere Elsewhere) on France’s Pay TV channel Canal+. He takes part in an interview and performs one song.
10/12/98 -- BERCY STADIUM, PARIS, FRANCE
Soundcheck - BORN IN THE USA
GET UP STAND UP / GHOST OF TOM JOAD / BORN IN THE USA #1 / BORN IN THE USA #2 / WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY / NO SURRENDER
Soundboard or broadcast? - Amnesty International show, first track is with the artists Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman and Youssou N'Dour. Ghost of Tom Joad is a sped up version. Equipment failure requires two shots at Born In The USA. Bruce appears after flying from a successful court case settled in London, earlier that day. Thanks to 3.2 for the additional info. Available on CDR 'Live At The Palais Des Omnisports, Bercy, Paris'. Video footage of three complete Springsteen performances (“Born In The U.S.A.”, “Working On The Highway” and “No Surrender”) was officially released on the “The Paris Concert For Amnesty International: The Struggle Continues...” DVD issued by Image in 1999.
11/12/98 -- TV RAIUNO, BOLOGNA, ITALY
BORN IN THE USA / THIS HARD LAND / + interview
Springsteen travels to Bologna and tapes and interview and two solo performances for Italian TV. This time the guitar intro on Born In The USA is extended to 1.40 minutes.
14/12/98 -- TEATRO REAL TV, MADRID, SPAIN
BORN IN THE USA / THIS HARD LAND / + interview
Springsteen travels to Madrid and tapes an interview plus two solo performances for Spanish TV, which is broadcast a few days later. Bruce leaves for London for a dinner engagement with Sony UK executives immediately following this taping.
21/12/98 -- THE RUMRUNNER, SEA BRIGHT, NJ
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
Annual Xmas bash. Springsteen takes the stage joining Bobby Bandiera and his band for one song. No circulating audio.
29/12/98 -- OCEAN STUDIOS, LOS ANGELES, CA
MISERY LOVES COMPANY
Springsteen takes part in a session with Mike Ness, the leader/guitarist for southern California punk/rave band Social Distortion. This was a side-project Ness solo album, with Springsteen, a major fan of the band, providing support vocals and lead guitar on “Misery Loves Company”. The recording was released in April 1999 on Ness’s LP “Cheating On Solitaire”.
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