DANNY CLINCH
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, in 2007 (from left, Danny Federici, Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren, Roy Bittan, Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Steven Van Zandt and Garry Tallent).
Until now, there hasn’t been a place on the internet where you could find an annotated list of all the shows Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have performed in their home state of New Jersey. But now there is, right here.
I’ve previously posted, on NJArts.net, similar lists for Bob Dylan, The Beatles (separately and together), The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones. Springsteen is the most obvious choice for a New Jersey arts site, of course, but I’ve resisted, because the list would be so long. But it occurred to me that if I limited it to shows performed with the E Street Band — so no solo shows, Other Band shows, Seeger Sessions shows, etc. — it would be doable.
The most difficult decision was in deciding when the chronology should start. Springsteen started billing his band as Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band in the fall of 1973, after the release of his second album, The Wild, The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. But I’m starting a year earlier, in the fall of 1972, after his first album, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., was recorded (though it wasn’t released until January 1973). He started touring, then, with the four-man backing lineup of Garry Tallent (bass), Vini Lopez (drums), Danny Federici (keyboards) and Clarence Clemons (saxophone).
My main source for this list is the marvelous Brucebase Wiki at brucebase.wikidot.com.
I count, by the way, 167 shows overall, with the top year being 1974 (27 shows).
Again, these are only New Jersey shows, and only shows at which Springsteen was backed by the E Street Band. I’ve included unscheduled and impromptu appearances, rehearsal shows and tapings, as long as all or at least most of the E Street Band was participating.
1972
Oct. 29: National Guard Armory, Long Branch. A Halloween concert also featuring the bands Odin and Tumbleweed.
1973
Feb. 10: Sunshine In, Asbury Park. Two shows, with the band Elephant’s Memory opening.
Feb. 11: Bishop Dougherty Student Center at Seton Hall University, South Orange.
Feb. 16: Boylan Gymnasium at Monmouth College (now Monmouth University), West Long Branch. The band Southern Conspiracy opens.
April 1: The Ledge at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The bands Heavy Trucking and Southern Conspiracy open.
April 18: Gymnasium at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft. The band Satan’s Jury opens.
June 22-24: Fat City, Seaside Heights. The band Mofo opens. Keyboardist David Sancious officially joins the touring band after having sat in a few times previously.
Aug. 14: Uncle Al’s Erlton Theatre Lounge, Cherry Hill.
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Fat City, Seaside Heights. Two shows each night.
Nov. 11: Kendall Hall at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Ewing. Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express headlines.
Dec. 17-19: Student Prince, Asbury Park.
Dec. 22: Uncle Al’s Erlton Theatre Lounge, Cherry Hill. The bands Uproar and Moxie open.
Dec 23: Rova Farm Function Center, Jackson. The band Doo Dah also performs.
1974
Jan. 12: The Joint in the Woods, Parsippany.
Feb. 23: Satellite Lounge, Cookstown. First gig with drummer Ernest “Boom” Carter.
April 6: Burlington County College (now Rowan College at Burlington County), Pemberton. The vocal group The Persuasions open.
April 7: Bishop Dougherty Student Center at Seton Hall University, South Orange. The Jim Marino Band, featuring Max Weinberg (then a student at Seton Hall University) on drums, opens.
April 18: Alumni Memorial Gymnasium at Monmouth College (now Monmouth University), West Long Branch.
April 19: State Theatre, New Brunswick. Jae Mason opens.
May 4: Panzer Gym at Montclair State College (now Montclair State University). Buzzy Linhart opens. For more on this show, click here.
May 11: Student Union Building at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford.
May 24: War Memorial, Trenton. Ellen McIlwaine opens.
June 21-23: Le Garage, Spray Beach (Long Beach Island). Two shows a night on Friday and Saturday, with an added show, with the band Slim Pickins opening, on Sunday.
July 17-18: Le Garage, Spray Beach (Long Beach Island). Two shows a night.
Aug. 14: Monmouth Arts Center (now Count Basie Center for the Arts), Red Bank. Two shows, with the Incredible String Band opening.
Sept. 22: Student Center at Kean College (now Kean University), Union. First New Jersey show with Roy Bittan on keyboards and Max Weinberg on drums.
Oct. 12: Alexander Hall at Princeton University. Two shows.
Oct. 18: Capitol Theatre, Passaic. John Sebastian and Dan Fogelberg open. Sebastian was the official headliner, but after seeing Springsteen and the band perform at soundcheck, he asked that they perform last, so he wouldn’t have to follow them.
Nov. 21: Lincoln Hall Auditorium at Camden County College, Blackwood. Jae Mason opens.
Nov. 29-30: War Memorial, Trenton.
Dec. 6: State Theatre, New Brunswick.
1975
Oct. 11: Monmouth Arts Center (now Count Basie Center for the Arts), Red Bank. Two shows. First Jersey shows to feature Steven Van Zandt as an E Street Band member.
Dec. 11: Walsh Auditorium at Seton Hall University, South Orange.
1976
March 21: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. Rehearsal show for the fourth leg of the Born to Run Tour, with invited guests only in the audience.
July 4: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. Springsteen and the band perform an impromptu, post-midnight show after Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes’ gig.
Aug. 1-3 and 5-7: Monmouth Arts Center (now Count Basie Center for the Arts), Red Bank. With the Miami Horns: Asbury Jukes members Carlo Novi (saxophone), Ed Manion (saxophone), Tony Pallagrosi (trumpet) and Rick Gazda (trumpet).
Oct. 12: Rutgers Gym at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Miami Horns now include John Binkley (trumpet), Ed De Palma (saxophone), Dennis Orlock (trombone) and Steve Paraczky (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Oct. 13: Wilkins Theatre at Kean College (now Kean University), Union. Same horn section as Oct. 12.
1977
May 12-13: Monmouth Arts Center (now Count Basie Performing Arts Center), Red Bank. One show on the 12th, two on the 13th. Not E Street Band shows, per se, though Springsteen and the band did perform. These shows were originally scheduled as Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes shows, but Southside was sick, so Steven Van Zandt put together a band called the Asbury Park All-Star Revue, featuring Jukes, Springsteen and members of the E Street Band, and Ronnie Spector.
Sept. 13: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. This was a benefit concert for Bob Campanell of the band The Shakes, and Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes headlined, but Springsteen did a couple of songs with Southside and then brought out the E Street Band for a three-song mini-set.
Dec. 31: Capitol Theatre, Passaic. A Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes show at which Springsteen and E Street Band members make guest appearances, and then play a surprise mini-set of their own, joined by some Jukes.
1978
May 19: Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park. Rehearsal show for the Darkness on the Edge of Town Tour, for invited guests only.
Sept. 19-21: Capitol Theatre, Passaic. First show broadcast live on WNEW-FM in New York and other radio stations.
Nov. 1: Jadwin Gymnasium at Princeton University.
1979
Jan. 11: Lock Stock and Barrel, Fair Haven. A private birthday party for Clarence Clemons, with Springsteen and all E Street Band members (except Steven Van Zandt) attending and performing together.
1981
June 22: Max Weinberg’s wedding reception at the Monmouth Hills Club in Highlands. Springsteen and the entire band attend and perform together.
July 2-3, 5-6 and 8-9: Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford. The first shows ever at the Meadowlands arena, which later changed its name to the Continental Airlines Arena and then the Izod Center, and continued presenting shows until 2015. Gary U.S. Bonds makes a guest appearance at the last show.
1984
June 8: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. Rehearsal show for the Born in the USA Tour. Band now features guitarist and backing vocalist Nils Lofgren in place of Steven Van Zandt, who has left group to embark on a solo career. Singer Patti Scialfa is not in band yet but will be by the time the tour starts in late June.
Aug. 5-6, 8-9, 11-12, 16-17 and 19-20: Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford. Guests include J.T. Bowen of Clarence Clemons’ Red Bank Rockers band, Aug. 9; John Entwistle of The Who, Aug. 11; Southside Johnny, Aug. 12; trombonist Richie “LaBamba” Rosenberg, trumpeter Mark Pender and saxophonists Ed Manion and Stan Harrison, Aug. 19-20; and Steven Van Zandt, Aug. 20.
1985
Aug. 18-19, 21-22 and 31 and Sept. 1: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford. Steven Van Zandt guests on Aug. 22 and 31.
1986
Jan. 10: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. Benefit for workers at the 3M videotape and audiotape plant in Freehold, which was scheduled to close later that year, and did. Springsteen performed with most of the E Street Band (everyone except Nils Lofgren and Roy Bittan).
March 2: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. A surprise mini-set (Springsteen calls it a “sneak attack”) with the E Street Band (everyone except Roy Bittan).
1987
April 12: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. A jam with Springsteen, E Street Band members Roy Bittan, Garry Tallent, Max Weinberg and Patti Scialfa, members of the band Cats on a Smooth Surface, Jon Bon Jovi and John Luraschi.
Aug. 2: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. A jam with Springsteen, The E Street Band (minus Nils Lofgren), members of the band Cats on a Smooth Surface, Ed Manion and Boccigalupe.
Aug. 9: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. A surprise 10-song set with the complete E Street Band.
Sept. 16: Danny Federici’s wedding reception and Janesville, Wisc. Springsteen and band members attend and perform.
Oct. 31: McLoone’s Rum Runner, Sea Bright. Surprise set by Springsteen and the band (minus Nils Lofgren and Clarence Clemons).
1989
Sept. 23: McLoone’s Rum Runner, Sea Bright. Springsteen’s 40th birthday party. All current members (plus Steven Van Zandt) attend and perform.
1999
March 11: Convention Hall, Asbury Park. Rehearsal for Reunion Tour. A small group of fans are let into the venue for some of the songs. The lineup features all the musicians from the Born in the USA Tour plus Steven Van Zandt.
March 18-19: Convention Hall. Rehearsal show benefiting local charities, with full audiences.
July 15, 18, 20, 24, 26-27 and 29 and Aug. 1-2, 4, 6-7, 9 and 11-12: Continental Airlines Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena), East Rutherford. Guests include Bobby Bandiera and Max Weinberg’s daughter Ali Weinberg on July 29; Steve Eitelberg (Springsteen’s haberdasher) on Aug. 9; and Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Melissa Etheridge, Soozie Tyrell and Ali Weinberg on Aug. 12.
2000
Dec. 17-18: Convention Hall, Asbury Park. Christmas shows with the Max Weinberg 7 as the house band, but all E Street Band members perform, too. Other participants include Southside Johnny, Bobby Bandiera, Soozie Tyrell and Lisa Lowell.
2001
Dec. 3-4 and 6-8: Convention Hall, Asbury Park. Christmas shows, but not E Street Band shows, per se, though Springsteen and all band members except Roy Bittan and Steven Van Zandt contribute.
2002
July 25-26 and 30 and Aug. 2: Convention Hall, Asbury Park. Rehearsal shows for The Rising Tour. July 30 features both a morning mini-set (broadcast live on NBC television’s “Today” show) and a nighttime concert. Soozie Tyrell becomes a touring member of the E Street Band, playing violin, guitar and percussion, and adding backing vocals.
Aug. 5: Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford. Another rehearsal show.
Aug. 7: Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford. Official start of The Rising Tour.
Dec. 22: Stone Pony, Asbury Park. Private party for family and Rising Tour crew members.
2003
March 7: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.
July 15, 17-18, 21, 24, 26-27 and Aug. 28 and 30-31: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford. Guests include Garland Jeffreys on July 18; Vini Lopez on July 21; Bobby Bandiera on Aug. 28; and Emmylou Harris and Marah members Dave and Serge Bielanko on Aug. 30.
2004
Oct. 13: Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford. Part of the Vote for Change Tour in support of presidential candidate John Kerry. Other performers include John Fogerty, Eddie Vedder and Jackson Browne.
2007
Sept. 24-25: Convention Hall, Asbury Park. Rehearsal show for Magic Tour. Guest appearances by Sessions Band members Jeremy Chatzky and Curt Ramm on Sept. 25.
Sept. 28: Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford. Rehearsal show for Magic Tour. Guest appearances by Sessions Band members Lisa Lowell and Larry Eagle.
Oct. 9-10: Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford.
2008
May 7: Count Basie Theatre (formerly Monmouth Arts Center), Red Bank. Benefit for theater renovation project, with complete performances of the Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town albums. Trumpeter Mark Pender, trombonist Richie “LaBamba” Rosenberg and saxophonists Ed Manion and Jerry Vivino guest. First New Jersey show with the E Street Band for keyboardist Charles Giordano; he replaced ailing band member Danny Federici in November 2007, and Federici died in April 2008.
July 27-28 and 31: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford. Guest appearances by Springsteen’s daughter Jessica, July 27; Garry Tallent’s daughter Olivia, July 27-28; Jesse Malin, Dave Bielanko of Marah and Max Weinberg’s son Jay, July 28; and Sessions Band member Jeremy Chatzky, Sam Bardfeld and Curtis King, July 31.
2009
March 23-24: Convention Hall, Asbury Park. Rehearsal shows for the Working on a Dream Tour. Backing vocalists Curtis King and Cindy Mizelle join the band for this tour. Jay Weinberg plays drums on some songs each night in anticipation of subbing for his father on the tour: Max will be unable to make it to certain tour stops since he is committed to leading the house band on “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien.”
May 21 and 23: Izod Center (formerly Continental Airlines Arena), East Rutherford. Jay Weinberg plays drums for both shows.
Sept. 30 and Oct. 2-3 and 8-9: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford. Springsteen commemorates the stadium’s imminent destruction with a new song, “Wrecking Ball,” featuring trumpeter Curt Ramm; the song opens all five shows. Ramm also plays on some other songs throughout stand. Max Weinberg is back on drums but Jay Weinberg makes brief appearances on Oct. 2 and 9. The show features full-album performances of Born to Run, Sept. 30 and Oct. 8; Darkness on the Edge of Town, Oct. 2; and Born in the USA, Oct. 3 and 9. Guest appearances by Willie Nile, Sept. 30; Sessions Band members Larry Eagle, Art Baron and Ed Manion, Oct. 2; Sessions Band member Jeremy Chatzky, Oct. 3; and Manion and Clarence Clemons’ nephew Jake Clemons, Oct. 8.
Dec. 13: Private filming of the Darkness on the Edge of Town album, in its entirety, for the boxed set, The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story, which will be released in late 2010. The show’s lineup features only the musicians from the original album — Springsteen, Garry Tallent, Max Weinberg, Clarence Clemons, Steven Van Zandt and Roy Bittan, with Charles Giordano playing the late Danny Federici’s parts.
2010
Dec. 7: Carousel House, Asbury Park. Filming, before a small crowd, emphasizing songs featured on the boxed set, The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story. As at the Dec. 13, 2009 filming, the band is reduced to its late-’70s lineup, with Charles Giordano playing Danny Federici’s parts. Added musicians include David Lindley on violin, Ed Manion and Stan Harrison on saxophone, Barry Danielian and Curt Ramm on trumpet, and Clark Gayton on trombone. This event marked Clarence Clemons’ last performance with band.
2012
April 3-4: Izod Center, East Rutherford. First Jersey shows of the Wrecking Ball Tour. Jake Clemons has replaced his uncle Clarence Clemons, who died in June 2011. Also added to the band’s touring lineup are percussionist-vocalist Everett Bradley, trumpeters Curt Ramm and Barry Danielian, saxophonist Ed Manion, trumpeter Barry Danielian, trombonist Clark Gayton, singer-percussionist Curtis King, singer Cindy Mizelle, and singer-rapper Michelle Moore.
May 2: Prudential Center, Newark. Setlist includes The Band’s “The Weight,” in tribute to the late Levon Helm.
Sept. 19 and 21-22: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford. Springsteen’s first shows at the stadium built near the site of Giants Stadium, which was demolished in 2010. Guests include Vini Lopez, Sept. 19; and Gary U.S. Bonds, Sept. 21-22.
2016
Jan. 31: Prudential Center, Newark. First New Jersey show of The River Tour, supporting Springsteen’s 2015 boxed set, The Ties That Bind: The River Collection. After the band has expanded for its Wrecking Ball Tour and its High Hopes Tour (the latter did not include a Jersey show), it has now shrunk back down to a relatively compact 10 musicians: Springsteen, Tallent, Weinberg, Bittan, Van Zandt, Lofgren, Scialfa, Jake Clemons, Tyrell and Giordano. Show features the original River album in its entirety.
Aug. 23, 25 and 30: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford. Guests include an eight-piece string section on all nights, as well as Tom Morello on Aug. 25 and Rickie Lee Jones on Aug. 30.
2023
April 14: Prudential Center, Newark.
Aug. 30 and Sept. 1 and 3: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.
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