Most rock fanatics will tell one of four types of stories:1) 1st show 2) I was at the greatest show 3) I've been x number of shows and 4) I almost know personally the Boss or some member of the band.
My story is of the "first show" variety. I was in high school in '78, and was standing in line by myself to buy Moody Blues tickets. Just as I got to the window someone pointed out that Bruce Springsteen was coming to town. I said, "Is he any good?" The guy was like, "You got see him." I only had money for two tickets, so I bought one for the Moody Blues and one for the Boss.
The night of the show I drove down by myself and started wondering around til I got kind of close. The show was so intense and dramatic. Quiet and loud. Fast and slow. And long! After four hours his voice sounded like Jimmy Durante when he said, " I've been asked by hall management to make an anouncement. Anybody with a weak stomach or a weak heart , please step into the lobby during the next portion of this song......as it might be dangerous.... for your health 1,2,3,4.
So started my reasonable following of the Boss. I don't have more than 30 shows under my belt, like some, but I've been to shows with some of my longest lasting friends. I've taking my wife to her first show, with no primer, and watched her cry. And last year I took my 9 yr old daughter to a show with a friend of mine who I camped out w/ in '80 for tickets. He brought his 9 yr old daugther .
Baltimore will have a fine time next week. And anyone w/ 3 extra tickets can count on me, my wife and now 10 yr old daughter if they need to get rid of them

Baltimore will be my 15th show in the last 2 years. It will also be the penultimate show of this tour. It should be very special! It better be, haven't been in town since before many of us were born.

must have been a decade ago-
I was in Barcelona, on business.Surprised me to discover that America was popular there and then , for two reasons; U.S. intervention helping in Kosovo, and Bruce arriving for a concert.Damn if I hadn't missed it by a day. Walking around to beat the jet lag, I spoke with an amiable Brit wearing the concert tee- great concert, sorry I missed it. "But you can go tonight", says he,"there's a second show-find a tout." I head early to the stadium, and find a couple teens high-fiving when each song is heard from the soundcheck-ecstatic they were,just to hear "factory"- gottalovit . I bought this cheesy-looking ticket from them, printed by some local record store.
The crowd was the most deliriously joyous Springsteen audience I've ever been part of-I guess we may actually take him for granted some here in the states- especially when Bruce opened with a greeting in Catalan, the native language ( apparently it had been silenced for decades by Franco)- a typically gracious Springsteen touch.
So glad he's coming to Baltimore.

Hey Chris ` i know your name (i think!) from somewhere.. hmmm., did you used to work for a musical distributor on Caroline street? That's my first guess ..

I saw Bruce for the first time with my Dad and my two sisters in Detroit, Michigan a couple of years ago. Needless to say it was one of the best shows I've ever been at. As the country knows, Detroit has been hit hard over the last few years (the reason I had to move away from home), and it was cool to see an artist who really knows how to sing about the down-and-out work force in America. There's really nothing else to say other than Bruce is the man! I'm 23 years old and have yet to see a performer appeal to so many ages. I don't know who rocked out harder to that concert that night in Detoit, my sisters and I, or my 60 year old father.

Any Midnight Sunners meeting up for an "Adult Beverage" before the show?

Hi Lisa-
I'm bummed out because I didn't get Boss tickets. I could go down by myself and snag a ticket, but my daughter and wife wouldn't forgive me. They're fans too.

great article Sam! reading it now! Hey sturmy, there will be some folks from the backstreets.com meeting at Pratt Street Ale House. I will be in town at 130 or so. That would be cool to meet some of you guys on here.

I guess my story is different then most! It does not involve a personal run in with the boss or a special moment for me at a concert (and there are a ton of them) but more of a matchmaker to the 2 greatest people in my life. My parents met and had there first dance in 7th grade at a YMCA canteen in Freehold NJ while the Castiles were playing! Thank you Bruce!