The Overdue Live Box Set Bruce Springsteen Should Release

Hot on the heels of his monster 1984 album, Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen's label boss Columbia Records released a beautiful five-LP box set Live 1975-85 that finally put on wax what tape collectors had been cherishing for years.

Some of the best cuts included The Boss doing a sultry version of "Fire," which most had only heard The Pointer Sisters turn into a hit when he gave it to them.

A stripped down tender piano & harmonica take on "Thunder Road."

And an expanded "Growin Up" with a very long intro that captured how Bruce can breathe new life into old songs with fascinating stories, backed by the versatile E. Street Band who can erupt at precisely the right moment.

The box set couldn't have had better timing, and in some ways it acted as a greatest hits package, which Bruce had yet to come out with next. But best of all, the live versions gave fans who had never seen a Springsteen show a taste of how much different they are from what they hear on the studio tracks.

As we approach the 40th anniversary of what became the second-best selling live album ever (even the Boss couldn't topple Frampton Comes Alive! ), it's time for another behemoth.

It's time for a Live 1986-2024.

Instead of covering the first decade of this miraculously talented artist and his band, the next box set of live recordings should span from a few intimate shows he did in '86-'87 which led to the the epic Tunnel of Love Express Tour of 1988 (where nearly 90 shows took place) through this wondrous 2024 World Tour.

Here are some tent poles of what could be an amazing collection - let the fans, the archivists and the bootleggers fill in the blanks.

"Hungry Heart," 1986 Bridge School Benefit

New rule: if Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young sing your first #1 hit with you, you put it on a record so it can live forever.

How this moment at the Bridge School on 10/13/86 has never seen the light of day outside of YouTube makes no sense.

"Brilliant Disguise," 1988

The Tunnel of Love Express Tour was a masterful experience supporting a disappointing album. Springsteen had seemingly hit a wall of doling out one classic album after another which peaked with Born in the USA. Not everything can last forever. It's nothing to be ashamed of. But what blossomed from that tour was the love affair he'd have with fellow E. Street member and longtime New Jersey musician Patti Scialfa who he'd end up marrying.

One of the gems from Tunnel of Love is "Brilliant Disguise" where the narrator questions his loving relationship which probably mirrored Springsteen's divorce to his first wife and his new feelings to Patti. Watching and listening to them duet together in '88 is magical because you can see the tension right in front of you. Put it on wax.

"Forever Young," 1995

To honor the Rock Hall of Fame on 9/2/95, several legendary stars came out to join Springsteen during his eight-song mini-set which mixed classic '50 hits of yore with a few Springsteen originals.

We're talking people like Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Melissa Etheridge, and Booker T. and the MGs jammed wih Bruce.

But the most memorable moment was when Bob Dylan came out to sing with Springsteen. Then didn't do any old tunes or ones from Bruce's catalogue, they performed Dylan's "Forever Young."

There was a recording of some of these tunes, but not the duet between the new Bob Dylan and the original. Bruce only covered the holy tune twice. Once was that night and the other was in the '87 at John Hammond's funeral service.

Hammond signed Springsteen to Columbia in '61 and Springsteen in '72. That special song needs to be in this collection.

"Clampdown," 2014

Tom Morello played in over 100 shows with Bruce and the E. Street Band. If such a box set as this was released his lead solos on "Ghost of Tom Joad" would probably be part of the package.

But the element the Rage Against the Machine guitar hero brought to the E. Street Band was something more punk rock in nature. Not the sloppy punk of the Sex Pistols, but a more adult, intellectual punk that was embodied by The Clash.

"Clampdown," a tune he kicked off his April 29, 2014 gig off with, is a better tune to pair with Springsteen's working class vibe than the "London Calling" cover Bruce played before Morello showed up. "Clampdown" warns that once you see yourself wearing "blue and brown" (probably referring to business suits), then you've sold your soul - something The Boss never fell for.

"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," 2023

When saxophonist and sidekick Clarence Clemons died in 2011 at 69 years-old, the E. Street Band's future was uncertain. By a miracle they were able to get his nephew Jake to fill his big shoes nearly seamlessly. Not only does Jake look like a younger version of his lovable uncle, but his tone is remarkably strong and his fills the hole like he was born to do it.

There's a moment during "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" where Bruce sings, "and a change was made uptown when The Big Man joined the band." Typically that's when a video display of Clarence is shown and the fans applaud and sometimes it gets a bit emotional. It's a bittersweet new wrinkle to the show that pays homage to a vital member of the band who is still sorely missed. It shouldn't be left out of the retrospect.

"Jungleland," 2024

One of the best shows Bruce put on in the last few decades was just last year when he returned to his old stomping grounds of Asbury Park, New Jersey, the seaside town he named his first LP after.

Now a senior citizen Bruce looked out at the massive throng of fans and marveled how such a raggedy place in the '70s has turned into a bustling, lively city with a kickass new Sea.Hear.Now festival.

With a full band including a violinist and horn section all the dynamics of the 11-minute epic tune from Born to Run flowed out.

Weeks before his 75th birthday, Bruce not only still had it, he could pop you in the face with it. While it might be cute to make the eras end with the same last digit, it would seem far more important to show the listener that even midway through his 70s, Bruce and the band were still performing at a much higher level than their peers and could do far more with their catalogue and their ability to play almost any cover, than studio musicians or super groups.

Bruce and the E. Street Band will hit the road again in May in the UK. Get your tickets on Bruce's website.

Max Weinberg's son, Jay, should not be left out, especially when he played "Radio Nowhere" in his daddy's drum throne.

Karma Police - Please Share:

Most played songs

Last updated: 18 Feb 2025, 10:11 UTC

More from this Artist


25,423 users have been to shows of this artist.