Bruce Springsteen gave a surprise performance at the ‘Born To Run’ 50th Anniversary Symposium at Monmouth University over the weekend.
The event was sponsored by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, and brought together former and current bandmates, roadies, photographers, Columbia Records alumni and more, all of whom worked alongside the heartland rocker in the period he wrote ‘Born To Run’.
The Boss was on hand throughout for on-stage panels and interviews, and, as noted by Variety, there was a mystery slot in the day’s schedule for a live performance, with the audience advised that everyone needed to be back at the theatre on time so they could lock up their phones in Yondr pouches before the afternoon’s events.
Much to the surprise of those gathered at the university’s Pollack Theatre, the evening drew to a close with performances of ‘Thunder Road’ and ‘Born To Run’ that saw Springsteen team up with E Street Band members past and present.
He was joined on stage by Steve Van Zandt, Roy Bittan, Garry Tallent and Max Weinberg, with David Sancious later joining on keys and Ernest “Boom” Carte – the drummer on the ‘Born To Run’ single – lent a hand in the finale.
It comes at a period of reflection on Springsteen’s legacy ahead of the release of Deliver Me From Nowhere, which stars Jeremy Allen White as The Boss and chronicles the New Jersey legend’s journey to recording his sixth album, ‘Nebraska’.
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Last week, Springsteen finally announced that he would be releasing the legendary electric version of ‘Nebraska’, which he previously assumed didn’t exist.
Earlier this year, the singer-songwriter was asked whether the “mythical” full-band version of his seminal 1982 album was real, which he initially denied, saying: “Well, I can tell you right now, it doesn’t exist.”
He went on the say that “there’s nothing in our vault that would amount to an electric ‘Nebraska’”, shortly before the release of ‘Tracks II: The Lost Albums’. Around the same time, he confirmed that ‘Tracks III’ was already finished.
Now, Springsteen has shared details of ‘Nebraska ’82: Expanded Edition’ – made up of full-band tracks “from the ‘Electric Nebraska’ sessions” with the E Street Band.
In a trailer for the collection, The Boss said: “Over the years, I’d been asked about electric ‘Nebraska’, and I always thought the question was ridiculous. Finally, I went back into the vault – and lo and behold, there it was.” It’s due for release on October 17 via Columbia – and you can pre-order/pre-save here.
He also recently shared ‘Born To Run’ outtake ‘Lonely Night In The Park’ to mark the album’s 50th anniversary.
