Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ Tour Comes To Philadelphia

In this Every Picture Tells A Story piece, Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band Born in the U.S.A. Tour Comes To Philadelphia

I’m the guy on the far right with that “Can you even believe this?” look on my face. As for the hoodie, well, it was the last night of the engagement and I had run out of cool clothes after seeing the first five. Plus, we were all exhausted. Pictured left to right: WBCN’s Bob Kranes, WMMR’s John DeBella, Bruce Springsteen, WTPA’s Bruce Bond, and yours truly.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band brought their Born in the U.S.A. Tour to Philly in September of 1984. Following a June release, the album exploded on FM radio nationwide, nowhere more so than in Bruce’s ‘home away from home,” here in Philly. Shows happened on September 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, and 18th at The Spectrum, the best arena this city’s ever had.

The funny thing is, although most of my career has been spent at WMMR, I was not working for the station during this period. I was at The Friday Morning Quarterback, a magazine that reviewed new releases from record companies on a weekly basis. On this night, it was Philly’s Columbia Records rep and local legend Herbie Gordon who rounded us up and invited us to meet Bruce post-show. And it was Herbie who took this picture.

Bruce was gracious but subdued. He asked us our names, (‘Gunner’ I told him) and he signed autographs as well. I was amazed at how accommodating he was after having left pieces of himself all over that stage for the last week.

Suffice it to say, I don’t end up in that picture without the aid of many thoughtful and very kind people. But it’s a testament to the possibilities and the power of rock n roll. “Hey there Mr. DJ, won’t you hear my last prayer, hey ho rock n roll, deliver me from nowhere.”

Bruce Springsteen has romanticized the Jersey Shore for over a half century since releasing Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. in 1973.

The thought of summer weather, late nights, and a few cold drinks gives anyone who's spent a summer vacation at the Jersey Shore a feeling of comfort and nostalgia about a place where they can leave their problems behind.

"The Boss" grew up in Freehold, New Jersey before gradually making a name for himself in Asbury Park and the surrounding area in North Jersey. His reputation as a hero of the common man developed partly because of his constant representation of his roots in the Garden State and references to easily identifiable places in the area. 

The semi-autobiographies that Springsteen wrote turned into classics as he grew into the cultural icon we know today.

When Bruce Springsteen visits the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia in March and Citizens Bank Park in August, Shoobies, Bennys and Locals will flock to hear their heart songs and bond over the peace of mind that summer brings.

Bruce Springsteen made his clearest reference to the Jersey Shore with "Atlantic City" on Nebraska in 1982. This song tells a darker story about the death of a mob boss in Philadelphia. The official video shows scenes from the most commonly known shore point in South Jersey.

Tom Waits originally wrote and performed "Jersey Girl" in 1980, but Bruce Springsteen popularized the song with live performances in the state of New Jersey. The song starts off with a perfect line to describe the anticipation of a vacation.

"Jersey Girl" tied in the romantic theme commonly associated with summer music, especially by the countless people in the mid-Atlantic region who met their spouses at the Jersey Shore.

The verses of "Girls in Summer Clothes" reference the homy feeling of small towns in addition to the girls on the beach. The official video was filmed at the Jersey Shore.

"Rosalita" is like many Springsteen songs about the feeling of youth and the desire to make it big against all odds. The lyrics tell the story of a young couple who don't have the approval of the their parents.

It's a classic that won't go out of style. The most popular Springsteen song is even recognized by the Library of Congress for artistic influence. 

The song mentions "Highway 9," which runs along the coast of the Jersey Shore. Springsteen famously performed it with fellow New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi at a concert to benefit relief funds for damages caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

"Jungleland" captures the imperfections and authenticity associated with the Jersey Shore. It ties in a feeling of nostalgia for mistakes made as a teenager, like this line about drinking warm beer in the soft summer rain.

"Spirit in the Night" uses a rebellious vibe and a geographic reference to Route 88, which runs into the heart of Point Pleasant in North Jersey just a few miles from Asbury Park. 

"Thunder Road" never explicitly mentions the state of New Jersey, but the themes  stay in line with the most popular music from the Boss. The vibe has made it a Jersey Shore favorite for generations.

You can still catch the Juliano Brothers covering it at Keenan's in Wildwood, the beach bars of Sea Isle, and plenty of spots throughout the rest of Cape May County every summer.

It's also become one of the easiest songs to allow for the audience to take over at a live show.

Springsteen filmed the video for "Tunnel of Love" in Asbury Park with scenes along the famous boardwalk that show carnival rides, food vendors, and other easily recognizable scenery. It also includes scenes inside an abandoned casino that add authenticity to the location.

It ends with Bruce walking toward a fading sunset, a peaceful image easily associated with a summer vacation and a beach setting.

You hear it every December. Bruce couldn't resist dropping a Jersey Shore reference into a holiday cover.