End of an Era..

Bruce Springsteen has been touring the US for the last 2 months or so with the E Street Band. After touring solo and with his new band over the last few years, it's great to see him back with the gang that he'll forever be associated with. Most of them have been with him since the early to mid 70s. Some, like Danny Federici (above) and Garry Tallent, go back even further than that. In a recent interview he talked about his pride that of all the bands of his generation, the E Street Band have stood alone by avoiding the cliches of other rock bands and staying alive and staying together. No drug busts or stupid rock casualties with his mob. Right from teh beginning of his career, he's always said that they wanted to play for as long as they could and that they didn't buy into any of the 'live fast, die young' mythology that's been the curse of most of his contemporaries. That commitment to each other and their audience has resulted in the current tour being as exciting and vital as any that's come before it..

But eventually time catches up and your luck runs out. Yesterday Springsteen's website announced that Danny Federici, the band's organist is taking a leave of absence to receive treatment for melanoma. Rumours had been floating around the internet that he was going to be replaced for the European shows but nothing was official until yesterday. During the last few shows the band have been playing more and more of the songs that spotlight Danny and although nothing was ever said onstage, it was clear that there was something going on. Instead of making an announcement several weeks ago and letting the shows become a long goodbye, the band just did what they've always done best – go on stage and deliver the best 2 and a half hours that they possibly can. Then at the end of the show on Monday night, as the band took their final bows, Springsteen walked over to Danny, embraced him and led him to the centre of the stage where the audience and band could show him their love and appreciation..



I know I'm just a bit of a sentimental old goat but I found the whole thing very touching.. Let's hope he's back in the fold soon. Although, looking at the way the band are behaving you wouldn't bet on it, would you?

Oh - here's a performance of Kitty's Back from about 5 years ago that I've always meant to post up here. This seems like as good a time as any..