You really can’t blame people for wondering if E Street is finished. Springsteen turned 60 in September, and it won’t be long before the entire band can order off the senior citizen’s menu at Denny’s.
E Street experienced its first reminder of mortality with the passing of original organist Danny Federici from melanoma in 2008. Fans catching the first leg of the “Magic” tour in 2007 were shocked to see a very frail-looking Federici take the stage, and weren’t surprised when it was later announced that Charles Giordano, who played with Springsteen on the “Sessions” tour, would fill in for “The Phantom.”
Over the past few years 67-year-old saxophonist Clarence Clemons has had both knees replaced and undergone three hip-replacement surgeries, resulting in “The Big Man” sitting on his own throne during those moments when he’s not playing one of his famous solos.
But Clemons isn’t the only E-Streeter to receive replacement parts. Guitarist Nils Lofgren had hip replacement surgery in 2008. Although the 58-year-old Lofgren is nine years Clemons’ junior, it’s clear the years have taken their toll on the group Springsteen has often described as “the greatest band in all the land.”
Although the last night of the tour was never officially designated as E Street’s last, there were indications that it might end up as a final farewell.
For example, even though Springsteen and the band have dedicated several shows to playing an entire album from The Boss’ catalog, many of those shows have focused on Born To Run or Darkness On The Edge Of Town. However, for last night’s show The Boss & Co. dug deeply into the vault for Springsteen’s very first album on Columbia Records – Greetings From Asbury Park – which up until last evening had never been performed live from beginning to end.
But was last night’s show the end? During the past few months individual band members have mentioned there’s nothing on the calendar for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean the group’s kaput. What’s more, Springsteen has hinted that he’ll do something with the band, although he hasn’t exactly said when.
But there’s no denying that last night was special. In addition to playing Greetings From Asbury Park, a birthday cake was brought out to honor guitarist Steven Van Zandt’s 59th birthday, which just happened to coincide with the final show date on the tour. Springsteen also made it a point to thank everyone involved with the tour, naming roadies and support crew by name, saying “I want to thank our crew, who work all day and all night to bring this show to you in your town.”
And there were plenty of songs hinting that last night might be the last, dusting off the old rockabilly number “(I Don’t Want To) Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes,” as well as ending with John Fogerty’s “Rocking All Over The World,” reports Backstreets.com.
Last night may not have been the final outing for Springsteen & E Street, but with no plans on the immediate horizon, the evening’s performance could turn out to be the last. If so, the fans were treated to a joyous celebration rather than a wake, a fine way to end one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest stories.
Click here for Bruce Springsteen’s official Web site.
Click here for a very good article about last night’s show posted on Backstreets.com.