Glory Days: Indefatigable and Incomparable

In his review of Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band's concert held at Wembley Stadium in the London Borough of Brent, author Adam Bloodworth described Springsteen as looking and acting 30 years younger than his 74 years. That places him appropriately enough at age 44, and I buy it. What has been amazing to me observing from afar is the endurance and resilience of Springsteen and his entire band.

In 2023, the band played 66 shows at 51 locations. In 2024, they've played 33 shows in 25 worldwide locations - with more still to come. In that time, Springsteen sustained a fall in Amsterdam while returning to the stage from the audience, leaving the audience aghast. He shrugged it off and continued performing. Earlier this year, his mother passed away. He endured torrential freezing rain while playing in Sunderland. A peptic ulcer caused the rescheduling of a few dates, but the band returned energized for the three and a half hour shows. It's a bit of a mind-blower to consider that his tours to London alone have taken place over 49 years.

Springsteen's set list in 2024 has swung wildly from a back catalogue of 1973's "The Wild, The Innocent and The E. Street Shuffle" (Kitty's Back, Rosalita [Come Out Tonight]), 2002's LP "The Rising" and 1975's epic "Born To Run" ( Jungleland, Backsteets, 10th Avenue Freeze-Out). Newer material includes (Letter To You and Ghosts).

It's inconceivable at once how audiences numbering up to 80,000 could be transformed from Europe to the boardwalks of of Springsteen's Asbury Park, New Jersey and the grittiness of Ohio factory floors through his lyrics. The answer lies in the powerhouse of a 17 piece band driven by longtime familiar faces that include drummer Max Weinberg, guitarists Stevie Van Zandt and Nils Lofgrin, pianist Roy Bittan, bassist Gary Tallent (the only original member of The E. Street Band remaining besides Springsteen), and saxophonist Jake Clemons, nephew of his late uncle Clarence Clemons. Violinist, singer and guitarist Soozie Tyrell and a backline of singers with a horn section ensure that the energy level of the concerts provide seemingly enough power to generate the electricity needs of New York City.

Glory Days, Land Of Hopes And Dreams and Bobby Jean all allow heavy soloing from the band members. But it's Springsteens well maintained voice that has impressed me most throughout this year-long grueling tour.

Springsteen ends the sets with I’ll See You In My Dreams, as a farewell after thirty songs. Indefatigable and incomparable, Springsteen is on my short list of concerts that must be seen and heard in 2025. These guys leave everything on the table by the end of an evening.