Happy 60th, Bruce Springsteen!!

[Turk]

Yet another baby-boomer rock star hits a milestone birthday, but Bruce is still bringing the power night after night after night. If you see him, wish him a happy birthday, and ask him if his crotch has healed after he slammed it into a camera at the Super Bowl halftime show. (That looked like it hurt, but Bruce shrugged it off like the trouper he is.)

With 4 decades of strong, consistent music across a wide range of styles, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have earned their place as the greatest American rock band of all time. They've eclipsed the undeniably brilliant but erratic and often invisible Dylan, and with the premature passing of Jerry Garcia, the Dead no longer exist except as a motley collection of spinoffs and side projects.

Discuss.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Baby, he was born to run!

[windsor]

and Born in the USA!

will now go find 'Jungleland' on her iPod....

[cl15876]

Happy Birthday to the Boss!!!! I've always loved his music and concur with the tribute!

[devildeac]

Yet another baby-boomer rock star hits a milestone birthday, but Bruce is still bringing the power night after night after night. If you see him, wish him a happy birthday, and ask him if his crotch has healed after he slammed it into a camera at the Super Bowl halftime show. (That looked like it hurt, but Bruce shrugged it off like the trouper he is.)

With 4 decades of strong, consistent music across a wide range of styles, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have earned their place as the greatest American rock band of all time. They've eclipsed the undeniably brilliant but erratic and often invisible Dylan, and with the premature passing of Jerry Garcia, the Dead no longer exist except as a motley collection of spinoffs and side projects.

Discuss.

1. Trouper-are you channeling colchar here? (jk)
2. You forgot "unintelligible" in your Dylan description, too. ;) .
3. SOOOO many great concerts, recordings (except perhaps Ghost of Tom Joad ) and stories/references that related to my "Growin' Up" years.

I agree heartily. Friends of mine saw him for $2 (no typo) at a community college near my hometown in 1972. Wish I had been there to have the memory/experience of that. Think about the folks who had the chance to see him at the Jersey shore even before that.

[Turk]

1. Trouper-are you channeling colchar here? (jk)
2. You forgot "unintelligible" in your Dylan description, too. ;) .
3. SOOOO many great concerts, recordings (except perhaps Ghost of Tom Joad ) and stories/references that related to my "Growin' Up" years.

I agree heartily. Friends of mine saw him for $2 (no typo) at a community college near my hometown in 1972. Wish I had been there to have the memory/experience of that. Think about the folks who had the chance to see him at the Jersey shore even before that.

1. Nope, that was deliberate. I had to double-check it with wilson and throaty lurking around to call me out in case I goof.

Function: noun
Date: 1890
1 : a member of a troupe; especially : actor
2 : a person who deals with and persists through difficulty or hardship without complaint <you're a real trouper to wait so long>

2. Oh, snap. Good catch. Although I have seen a few very good Dylan shows - his band is always tight and sometimes the Bobster goes on a hot streak. But those days are pretty much gone. Saw him last year, and I think that will be my last one. He's playing keyboards almost exclusively now, and it's just not the same.

3. Tom Joad had 3 good songs, IMHO. Tom Joad, Youngstown, and Galveston. All the others are just the same song over and over. The most underrated record of his is Tunnel Of Love - that holds up even better and better as the years go by.

And I imagine links will be popping up with assorted Bruce stories. Here's one from Slate on Born To Run. http://www.slate.com/id/2226603/

[devildeac]

1. Trouper-are you channeling colchar here? (jk)
2. You forgot "unintelligible" in your Dylan description, too. ;) .
3. SOOOO many great concerts, recordings (except perhaps Ghost of Tom Joad ) and stories/references that related to my "Growin' Up" years.

I agree heartily. Friends of mine saw him for $2 (no typo) at a community college near my hometown in 1972. Wish I had been there to have the memory/experience of that. Think about the folks who had the chance to see him at the Jersey shore even before that.

1. Nope, that was deliberate. I had to double-check it with wilson and throaty lurking around to call me out in case I goof.

Function: noun
Date: 1890
1 : a member of a troupe; especially : actor
2 : a person who deals with and persists through difficulty or hardship without complaint <you're a real trouper to wait so long>

2. Oh, snap. Good catch. Although I have seen a few very good Dylan shows - his band is always tight and sometimes the Bobster goes on a hot streak. But those days are pretty much gone. Saw him last year, and I think that will be my last one. He's playing keyboards almost exclusively now, and it's just not the same.

3. Tom Joad had 3 good songs, IMHO. Tom Joad, Youngstown, and Galveston. All the others are just the same song over and over. The most underrated record of his is Tunnel Of Love - that holds up even better and better as the years go by.

And I imagine links will be popping up with assorted Bruce stories. Here's one from Slate on Born To Run. http://www.slate.com/id/2226603/

I just happened to put Tom Joad in the changer this AM before leaving for work. I have not listened to it for years. I even like Nebraska better than that CD. I will certainly give it another listen or two and had forgotten about Youngstown.

[CathyCA]

I've seen him in concert twice. Once in the DeanDome (circa 1988), and once in Greensboro on a night I shall never forget: February 28, 1981. My best friend and I had tickets on the 11th row on the floor. We had an unobstructed view of the stage until just after concert began, when two tall gentlemen appeared and took the seats in front of us. They were a little late to the concert because they had been participating in post-game interviews following their 66-65 senior night victory over UNC. My best friend and I had the time of our lives high-fiving and dancing in the aisles with them at that concert because were were lowly freshmen and these two guys were (and still are!) Duke superstars: Gene Banks and Kenny Dennard.

Happy Birthday, Bruce! Party like a rock star!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I've seen him in concert twice. Once in the DeanDome (circa 1988), and once in Greensboro on a night I shall never forget: February 28, 1981. My best friend and I had tickets on the 11th row on the floor. We had an unobstructed view of the stage until just after concert began, when two tall gentlemen appeared and took the seats in front of us. They were a little late to the concert because they had been participating in post-game interviews following their 66-65 senior night victory over UNC. My best friend and I had the time of our lives high-fiving and dancing in the aisles with them at that concert because were were lowly freshmen and these two guys were (and still are!) Duke superstars: Gene Banks and Kenny Dennard.

Happy Birthday, Bruce! Party like a rock star!

Cool story! Were you already working in the BBall office or did that chance meeting help/inspire you to seek the job?

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Cathy, I see you are back ahead of me on post count (only 1 with this post).

[OZZIE4DUKE]

OK, we're tied again.

[CathyCA]

I've seen him in concert twice. Once in the DeanDome (circa 1988), and once in Greensboro on a night I shall never forget: February 28, 1981. My best friend and I had tickets on the 11th row on the floor. We had an unobstructed view of the stage until just after concert began, when two tall gentlemen appeared and took the seats in front of us. They were a little late to the concert because they had been participating in post-game interviews following their 66-65 senior night victory over UNC. My best friend and I had the time of our lives high-fiving and dancing in the aisles with them at that concert because were were lowly freshmen and these two guys were (and still are!) Duke superstars: Gene Banks and Kenny Dennard.

Happy Birthday, Bruce! Party like a rock star!

Cool story! Were you already working in the BBall office or did that chance meeting help/inspire you to seek the job?

I was always inspired to work in the BBall office.

But that semester, I was working in the Department of Epidemiology over at DUMC, pulling down big work-study bucks. Epidemiology was boring and a long walk away from the WCBS.

Della hooked me up with the job. She was a sorority sister, and we were planning to be roommates the next year. As a manager, she knew that the coaches were looking for someone with work-study eligibility to work in the basketball office. She knew how fast I typed. She introduced me to Bobby Dwyer, one of Coach K's assistants, and he hired me on the spot in the spring of 1981.

[devildeac]

1. Trouper-are you channeling colchar here? (jk)
2. You forgot "unintelligible" in your Dylan description, too. ;) .
3. SOOOO many great concerts, recordings (except perhaps Ghost of Tom Joad ) and stories/references that related to my "Growin' Up" years.

I agree heartily. Friends of mine saw him for $2 (no typo) at a community college near my hometown in 1972. Wish I had been there to have the memory/experience of that. Think about the folks who had the chance to see him at the Jersey shore even before that.

1. Nope, that was deliberate. I had to double-check it with wilson and throaty lurking around to call me out in case I goof.

Function: noun
Date: 1890
1 : a member of a troupe; especially : actor
2 : a person who deals with and persists through difficulty or hardship without complaint <you're a real trouper to wait so long>

2. Oh, snap. Good catch. Although I have seen a few very good Dylan shows - his band is always tight and sometimes the Bobster goes on a hot streak. But those days are pretty much gone. Saw him last year, and I think that will be my last one. He's playing keyboards almost exclusively now, and it's just not the same.

3. Tom Joad had 3 good songs, IMHO. Tom Joad, Youngstown, and Galveston. All the others are just the same song over and over. The most underrated record of his is Tunnel Of Love - that holds up even better and better as the years go by.

And I imagine links will be popping up with assorted Bruce stories. Here's one from Slate on Born To Run. http://www.slate.com/id/2226603/

I saw your "amended" post over yonder, you, you, you, double dipper you... ;)

[Turk]

Hee hee. Just wanted to preach more Springsteen. Also, I'm also curious to find out who else people would consider for "greatest American rock band of all time". (If you'll forgive a bit of snark, I wonder if anyone will say Bruce is OK but would be even better if he were taller...)

[wilson]

Hee hee. Just wanted to preach more Springsteen. Also, I'm also curious to find out who else people would consider for "greatest American rock band of all time". (If you'll forgive a bit of snark, I wonder if anyone will say Bruce is OK but would be even better if he were taller...)

I've said a number of times that Bruce does absolutely nothing for me. I just don't get it...never have.
For greatest American rock band of all time, I'd submit the following ten, in no particular order: Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Nirvana, the Eagles (I guess...they don't do a great deal for me either, but their mass appeal is undeniable), Van Halen, and then someone not necessarily huge but very influential, like the Replacements or the Ramones.

[bjornolf]

Hee hee. Just wanted to preach more Springsteen. Also, I'm also curious to find out who else people would consider for "greatest American rock band of all time". (If you'll forgive a bit of snark, I wonder if anyone will say Bruce is OK but would be even better if he were taller...)

I've said a number of times that Bruce does absolutely nothing for me. I just don't get it...never have.
For greatest American rock band of all time, I'd submit the following ten, in no particular order: Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Nirvana, the Eagles (I guess...they don't do a great deal for me either, but their mass appeal is undeniable), Van Halen, and then someone not necessarily huge but very influential, like the Replacements or the Ramones.

I'd put Guns N Roses or Metallica in there in front of Nirvana. I don't think they lasted long enough to qualify. Heck, I'd probably put Red Hot Chili Peppers or Pearl Jam in there before Nirvana, even though I'm not a big fan. I liked Alice in Chains better than Nirvana, but I'm not sure they lasted long enough either.

[wilson]

Hee hee. Just wanted to preach more Springsteen. Also, I'm also curious to find out who else people would consider for "greatest American rock band of all time". (If you'll forgive a bit of snark, I wonder if anyone will say Bruce is OK but would be even better if he were taller...)

I've said a number of times that Bruce does absolutely nothing for me. I just don't get it...never have.
For greatest American rock band of all time, I'd submit the following ten, in no particular order: Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Nirvana, the Eagles (I guess...they don't do a great deal for me either, but their mass appeal is undeniable), Van Halen, and then someone not necessarily huge but very influential, like the Replacements or the Ramones.

I'd put Guns N Roses or Metallica in there in front of Nirvana. I don't think they lasted long enough to qualify. Heck, I'd probably put Red Hot Chili Peppers or Pearl Jam in there before Nirvana, even though I'm not a big fan.

Good calls all. You're probably right. I'd go with PJ out of those.

[bjornolf]

Good calls all. You're probably right. I'd go with PJ out of those.

I'm not sure how "great" they are, or if they're even American, but Live is one of my favorite bands of all time.

[Miles]

Hee hee. Just wanted to preach more Springsteen. Also, I'm also curious to find out who else people would consider for "greatest American rock band of all time". (If you'll forgive a bit of snark, I wonder if anyone will say Bruce is OK but would be even better if he were taller...)

I've said a number of times that Bruce does absolutely nothing for me. I just don't get it...never have.
For greatest American rock band of all time, I'd submit the following ten, in no particular order: Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys, the Doors, Nirvana, the Eagles (I guess...they don't do a great deal for me either, but their mass appeal is undeniable), Van Halen, and then someone not necessarily huge but very influential, like the Replacements or the Ramones.

I'd put Guns N Roses or Metallica in there in front of Nirvana. I don't think they lasted long enough to qualify. Heck, I'd probably put Red Hot Chili Peppers or Pearl Jam in there before Nirvana, even though I'm not a big fan.

Metallica belongs under metal, not rock.

I think the RHCP is a great band, but I don't think they've done nearly as much for American Rock as Nirvana. There just aren't many funk bands out there worth discussing. Nirvana did a whole hell of a lot to pave the way for grunge and punk in the main stream. Pearl Jam is definitely arguable but I'd argue that all they really did was pave the way for a lot of really terrible bands to mimic their style and gain some undeserved success. I think they're deserving though. Not sure who I'd leave off the list in favor of GnR.

[Miles]

Good calls all. You're probably right. I'd go with PJ out of those.

I'm not sure how "great" they are, or if they're even American, but Live is one of my favorite bands of all time.

They are great. But I can't live with Live being under Rock. File them under "Alt"