Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Last night (4/8) I went with my nurse, Ernie to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in concert at the Honda Arena in Anaheim. When I heard that he was on tour with The E Street Band, I had to get tickets. I was dissappointed that he was not coming to San Diego, but Anaheim is only about an hour and a half drive away. This was a concert I couldn't pass up. The drive up went very smooth; there was not much traffic. I listened to Bruce Springstreen on the way up to get me psyched up for the show. At the arena, we found a parking spot close to the entrance. An attendant led us past the crowds waiting to go through security before entering the arena and took us through a less crowded entrance to get in. Once inside we were ushered to the elevator and went up to level 4 where our seats were. My seats in the wheelchair section were very good; Ernie had a seat next to me. I was somewhat high up, but I could see the whole stage. There was also a videoscreen for some great closeups of the action. As we waited for the show to start we watched the people trickle in. It was great seeing people of all ages from teens to 60 year olds attending the show.

The show started late. I could feel the excitement and anticipation building as the wait lengthened. Finally, the lights in the arena went out and a steady roar arose from the crowds and chants of Bruce! Bruce! could be heard. The darkness was broken by a single spotlight which shone on a white calliope organ which rose from the back of the stage. It played some carnival music. At this point, the excitement was unbearable. Finally, the carnival music stopped and the calliope organ lowered back down. The stage lights came on and the crowd roared as the song Thunder Road blared from the speakers. Then without stopping they played Radio Nowhere, Lonesome Day, Gypsy Biker, Murder Incorporated, Magic, Atlantic City, Candy's Room, Reason to Believe, Prove It All Night, Because the Night, She's the One, Livin' in the Future, The Promised Land, and Brilliant Disquise. Next he played The Ghost of Tom Joad with Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine. It was followed by Last to Die, Long Walk Home, Badlands, and Out in the Streets. Bruce and his bandmates gathered on the stage to bow. The cheering continued even after the band left the stage and the incessant chant of Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! could be heard. Bruce and his band returned for an encore. They performed Meeting Across the River, Jungleland, Born to Run, Dancing in the Dark (a six-year-old girl was brought up on stage to be his dancing partner), and ended with the rousing American Land. As I left the arena I felt elated. I had just seen a great concert.


This was my first time to see Bruce Springsteen in concert. I had always heard that he put on a great show. I was not dissappointed. I was amazed by the energy shown by the 58 year old Springsteen and his band. They performed for close to three hours without any breaks. From start to finish they played one great song after another. The drumming of Max Weinberg, guitar playing of Steven van Zandt, and sax playing of Clarence Clemmons, made for a great compliment to Bruce. The show went by too fast. It was well worth the expense.