Top 55 list

In addition to the top 55,Flynn recommends

The Top 55: Other Recommended Shows

The 1970s
January 31, 1973 - Max's Kansas City, New York, NY
A typical early set that includes three songs from the first album plus two songs not released until "Tracks" ("Bishop Dance" and "Thundercrack") An early version of "Wild Billy's Circus Story" is also performed. The circulating recording is sourced from the soundboard and sounds great. Available on the CD "Live at Max's Kansas City."

December 6, 1973 - Childe Harold, Washington, DC
A radio broadcast, this show features the jazzy, improvasational "Walking the Dog" and the debuts of "Let the Four Winds Blow" and "Kitty's Back." Circulated under the title "Play the Tuba and Run."

May 9, 1974 - Harvard Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA
This was supposedly the show that Jon Landau saw before writing his infamous "future of rock and roll" column. Bruce opened with "New York City Serenade" and debuted "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman." Available on the CD "Rock and Roll Punk."

June 3, 1974 - Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
Fun set that was broadcast on WMMS-FM. Includes "You Never Call Tell," "And the Band Played," and the set closing "Let the Four Winds Blow" which included a significant portion of "I'm Ready." Available on several CDs, including "You Never Can Tell" and "And the E Street Band Played."

October 19, 1974 - Union College, Schenectady, NY
In late 1974 and early 1975, Suki Lahav was a member of the E Street Band, adding backing vocals and, more importantly, violin. Her presence gave these shows a different feel and sound to them. Key songs from this show include "Lost in the Flood," the rare "Spanish Harlem," and "A Love So Fine. Available on the CD "Spanish Harlem."

October 11, 1975 - Carlton Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
The dates in mid-October of 1975 were basically Bruce's "homecoming shows," as they were his first Jersey dates since the release of "Born to Run," and Bruce began a West Coast tour immediately following these shows. "Spirit in the Night" is an interesting listen, as Bruce goes into the crowd, as he did through 1981, and spots his Uncle Gene. "Hey, Uncle Gene! How ya doin'?" Soundboard recording released on the CD "The Homecoming."

October 17, 1975 - The Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
Broadcast on K-WEST radio, this show featured the solo piano version of "Thunder Road" to open the show. Other highlights include the Byrds' "Goin' Back," "Pretty Flamingo," complete with the introduction about sitting on the park bench, and a long "Kitty's Back." Available on the CD "Ain't Nobody Here From Billboard Tonight."

April 4, 1976 - Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Not only does this show include every song from "Born to Run," but it also includes a rare performance of "Frankie," one of the songs Bruce was working on in preperation for the next album. Also includes Bruce's version of The Animals' "It's My Life," which featured an intense introduction of Bruce talking about the fights he and his father had when he was a teenager. The show is available on the CD "Hidden Worlds That Shine," which also features "The Promise" and "Something in the Night" as bonus tracks, two other songs Bruce was also working on in preperation for the next album.

October 27, 1976 - The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
While Bruce had wanted to get back into the studio in mid to late 1976, his lawsuit with Mike Appel prevented that, so he went back out on the road. However, he brought several new songs on the road with him, as well as a horn section. The performance of "Something in the Night" from this show features a different final verse that is never heard again. Other highlights include "Rendezvous," "A Fine Fine Girl," and "The Promise." Circulated under the title "Spirit of '76."

March 22, 23, & 24, 1977 - Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA
The Boston '77 stand is one of the few nominations for best stand of Bruce's career, up there with Los Angeles '81 and Philadelphia '99. While every night was powerful, each show had a little something different. The 22nd included "The Promise," which was done relatively infrequently on the '77 tour. Bruce debuted "Little Latin Lupe Lu" in the encores on the 23rd, and the 24th featured "Saint in the City" and the debut of "Higher and Higher." The bootleg label Doberman released a composite of the 1977 tour called "Higher and Higher," which combined the last two nights of this stand, the 24th and 25th, to make one complete show and included a whole disc of rarities from the 1977 tour.

August 19, 1978 - The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
Another great show in Philadelphia, another great show from the summer of 78. While the soundboard recording is missing a few songs, it does include the great performances of "Good Rockin' Tonight," "The Fever," "Sweet Little Sixteen," and Gary Busey, who had the starring role in "The Buddy Holly Story," joins Bruce on-stage for "Rave On." Available on the CD "The Jersey Devil."

September 20th & 21st, 1978 - Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
The broadcast was only the beginning of an outstanding three night stand. The show on the 20th was solid, with an opening "Good Rockin' Tonight" and "Incident on 57th Street," plus the last-ever performance of "It's My Life." And the last night, the 21st, opened with "High School Confidential" and again featured "Incident on 57th Street," as well as "The Fever" and the last performance of "Kitty's Back" until December 17, 2000. The 20th is available on the CD "2nd Night At The Capitol Theatre" and the 21st is available on "The Bosses Birthday Party."

September 30, 1978 - Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
With all the other radio broadcasts from the 1978 tour, this one gets left out as a huge thunderstorm hit the South the night of September 30th, wrecking havoc with the broadcast signal. However, a newly surfaced recording is an upgrade over what had previously circulated, so it gets a mention here. The highlight of this show is the one and only performance of the instrumental "Night Train." Circulating under the title "Night Train to Georgia."

December 19, 1978 - Paramount Theatre, Portland, OR
After the broadcast in San Francisco on December 15, Bruce and the Band were still riding high as they entered the last couple weeks of the 1978 tour. Highlights from the show include the opening "Good Rockin' Tonight," "Rendezvous," "The Ties That Bind," and "Rave On." Available from an outstanding audience recording on "Paramount Night."

The 1980s
December 9, 1980 - The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
This show, the first night after the murder of John Lennon, is one of the more emotional shows of Bruce Springsteen's career. Bruce made a short speech at the start of the show, saying, "If it hadn't been for John Lennon, we wouldn't be here tonight." All of the fall 1980 shows were long, and this night wasn't an exception, as Bruce did 34 songs, including the "Detroit Medley" and an emotional "Twist and Shout." Circulating under the title "The Lennon Show."

December 29, 1980 - Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
Definitely a companion piece to the New Year's Eve 1980 show, this show is also sourced from an outstanding soundboard recording. Features the powerful trio of "Stolen Car," "Wreck on the Highway," and "Point Blank," and the last ever segue of "Incident on 57th Street" into "Rosalita." Available on the CD "Coliseum Night."

August 4, 1981 - Capital Centre, Landover, MD
A newly-surfaced recording of this show has made this one a quick favorite among fans of the 1980-81 tour. Probably the most rockin' second set of all time, as it included all rockers except for "Point Blank," including "Jole Blon," "For You," and "Candy's Room." Circulated under the title "Hot 'n Muggy: DC in August."

August 28, 1981 - Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles '81 stand deserves a serious consideration as best stand of Springsteen's career, from the opening Vets benefit to this show, which featured the debuts of Woody Guthrie's "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)" and "Proud Mary." Other highlights include "Rockin' All Over the World" and "I Fought the Law." An excellent audience recording has circulated.

July 12, 1984 - Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
An outstanding audience recording gives a good picture of the early portion of the 1984 tour. The rare "Used Cars" precedes "My Hometown," and Bruce debuts "Man at the Top," which is only performed once ever again. The encores include the Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man." Available on the CD "Alpine Valley Night."

September 22, 1984 - Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
The eve of Bruce's birthday gives us this fun show, and in outstanding quality no less. Highlights include a very fun "Glory Days," the freaky "State Trooper," "Candy's Room," and "Downbound Train," as well as the first "Santa Claus" of the tour. Available on the CD "Where the Rivers Meet."

October 21, 1984 - Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA
This one almost made the original Top 50 list, but it was edged by the show from November 19, 1984. Very similar shows, as both featured extended "Nebraska" sets and "Pink Cadillac." What sets this show apart is the rare performance of "Follow That Dream" in the encores. Available on the CD "Oakland Night."

July 4, 1985 - Wembley Stadium, London, England
Bruce's 1985 tour of Europe was the first time he played in stadiums, and while some fans felt things weren't the same as in smaller venues, the demand for tickets gave Bruce and Co. no option. Bruce opened with a solo acoustic performance of "Independence Day" before kicking into "Born in the USA." This show also included the second-ever performance of "Seeds," a solo version of "Can't Help Falling in Love," and "Because the Night." Little Steven jumps on-stage during the encores for "Two Hearts" and "Ramrod." Available on the CD "Independence Night."

October 2, 1985 - LA Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
The final night of the hugely successful "Born in the USA" tour, a recently-circulated recording from this show would probably give it an edge over the previous night's show. Highlights include "Growin' Up" and "Rosalita," which became very rare on the stadium tour. The show ended fittingly with "Glory Days." Treed on RMAS under the title "It's Too Late to Stop Now (We're Going Home)."

May 10, 1988 - Met Center, Minneapolis, MN
It might have taken longer than expected, but the 1988 tour was finally getting hot in late April and early May, and the second night in Minneapolis has the band playing incredibly hot. Bruce debuted "Boom Boom" in the spot right after "Tunnel of Love," and he replaced the usual story preceeding "Spare Parts" with the one and only performance of "Cautious Man." Available on the CD "Bloomington Night," which also features numerous bonus tracks from throughout the US leg of the 1988 tour.

July 22, 1988 - Waldbuhne Amphitheatre, West Berlin, West Germany
Three days after Bruce's massive show in East Berlin, Bruce went back to the other side of the Berlin Wall and put on another intense and fiery performance. Just as he did in East Berlin, Bruce opened with "Badlands" and also included "The Promised Land" in the set. Another highlight is the extended introduction to "You Can Look," which can be called "Don't You Touch That Thing." Circulating under the title "Badlands of Berlin."

September 23, 1988 - Coliseum Stadium, Oakland, CA
For most of the Human Rights Now! tour, the Amnesty International tour to mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, Bruce's set can be described as something of a greatest hits tour or a shortened version of the "Born in the USA" stadium tour. However, it took Sting's absence, giving the other performers on the tour a longer set, to get a different set list. Bruce opened with "War" and debuted "I Ain't Got No Home" in an unusual set. Available on the CD "Human Rights Now!"

The 1990s
June 5, 1992 - Hollywood Center Studios, Los Angeles, California
The "Dress Rehearsal" radio broadcast served as an introduction to the "new" Bruce Springsteen and his new touring band. While the show was somewhat rough, it was a broadcast which is what makes this show worth getting.

June 17, 1992 - The Globe, Stockholm, Sweden
The second night of the 1992 tour found the "new" band, and Bruce, still trying to find their legs. Not having really found the right set list, Bruce was playing with songs in different spots, including playing "Born in the USA" as the second song in the first set and opening the second set with "All or Nothing At All." Other notables include "I Wish I Were Blind" and the rare (with possible good reason) "Real Man." Available on the CD "Living Proof."

October 13, 1992 - Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
By the fall of 1992, Bruce had found the set list that conveyed what he wanted to say, and this night is the best recording of such a show. The opening trio of "Better Days," "Local Hero," and "Lucky Town" provided a very powerful start to the show, and the second set closing with "Souls of the Departed," "Born in the USA," "Real World," and "Light of Day" also gave a specific message. Available on the CD "Good Seats Still Available."

May 14, 1993 - Waldbuhne Amphitheatre, Berlin, Germany
After an extensive North American trek in 1992, Bruce returned to Europe for a more thorough tour, and he made several set list changes to make things interesting. He opened each show in 1993 with a three or four-song acoustic set, and the acoustic set on May 14, 1993, included "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "This Hard Land," as well as the country gospel "Satan's Jewel Crown." Other highlights included "Who'll Stop the Rain" followed by "Souls of the Departed," and the amazing "Across the Borderline" in the encores. Available on the CD "Waldbuehne Night."

June 26, 1993 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
The last show of the 1992-3 tour was actually kind of a letdown after the amazing show two nights prior at the Meadowlands. The reason for that, however, was an unusual one; because the show was a benefit for the Kristin Ann Carr Fund, and Kristin Ann Carr was a Terrence Trent D'Arby fan, D'Arby played at the show at Bruce's invitation, but some fans didn't appreciate his inclusion, and booed him. Bruce admonished the crowd in a very direct manner, and Bruce as visibly upset for the rest of the show. There were several highlights, however, including a Bruce-D'Arby duet on "Jole Blon" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash," and "Follow That Dream." Available on the CD "New York City Night."

August 20, 1994 - Marz American Style, Long Branch, NJ
With Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers
While the July 22, 1995, guest appearance with Grushecky was longer and included additional guests (Little Steven and Max Weinberg), the first time Bruce played an extended set with the Pittsburgh rockers was quite special. Highlights include the five Springsteen originals, including "Lucky Town" and "Living Proof," as well as several songs that ended up on Grushecky's 1995 album "American Babylon." Available on the CD "Marz Barz and Guitars."

January 17, 1996 - Music Hall, Cleveland, OH
The second leg of the solo acoustic "The Ghost of Tom Joad" tour saw Bruce becoming more comfortable with the songs and he started to really enjoy things. While Bruce included the lighthearted "Little Things" on the 1995 leg, he really went for laughs with the infomercial spoof "Sell It And They Will Come." Other additions to the set included "The Promised Land," still evolving on the tour, and "No Surrender." Available on the CD "Sell It And They Will Come."

March 13, 1996 - The Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
A pretty standard set for the 1996 European leg, the show in Stockholm saw Bruce bring back "Little Things," and bringing out "Bobby Jean." "The Promised Land" had also evolved into the guitar-as-percussion version by this point as well. While the set list isn't as exciting, the sound quality on the Crystal Cat release "Cirkus Night" is pretty amazing.

December 12, 1996 - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Bruce returned to his roots, in some fashion, at the historic Ryman Auditorium, as he wound down the 1996 tour. Bruce was joined by the "Jersey Cowgirls," Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell, at this one, just as he was at the Asbury Park shows the previous month, which resulted in performances of "Two Hearts," "When You're Alone," "Shut Out the Light," and "Racing in the Street." Circulated under the title "At the Ryman."

May 26, 1997 - Palais Des Congres, Paris, France
The final show of the solo acoustic tour, and possibly one of the best recordings from the whole tour, as per Crystal Cat's "Paris Night." Highlights from the show included "For You," "Working on the Highway," and "Two Hearts," plus Elliot Murphy joining Bruce for Murphy's "Diamonds by the Yard" and the traditional "Blowin' Down That Old Dusty Road."

January 31, 1998 - Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
With Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, Little Steven, and Others
An amazing, magical night, as the biggest names in Jersey Shore rock and roll joined together for a benefit concert at a small theatre. All the performers exchanged vocals on each others' songs, leading to some fun songs. The show was significant for Springsteen fans, as it came at a time when some suspected Bruce had forgotten what his Fender looked like after the long solo acoustic tour. Check out the Come Together concert section. This show is available from a soundboard recording from the fan-produced Fakida label as "Blood on Blood."

June 23, 1999 - Olympic Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
Sort of a companion piece to the June 24, 1999, show, as this show featured the "A" set list that included the opening "My Love Will Not Let You Down" as well as "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "Where the Bands Are." An excellent audience recording provided the source for Crystal Cat's "Olympic Stadium First Night." Complete set list.

August 11, 1999 - Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
The second to last show at the Meadowlands was the best of the 15-night stand, as Bruce was definitely on and some long unplayed songs were performed. Opening with "Night," the show also featured the first performance of "New York City Serenade" in 24 years, as well as the first performance of "Sandy" with the E Street Band since the 1981 tour. The show was treed, along with every other song played over the course of the Meadowlands stand from 1999, on RMAS. Complete set list.

September 25, 1999 - First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA
If the previous night's show was "fun Bruce," then this show was "intense Bruce." Opening with "Incident on 57th Street," the first performance of it since December 29, 1980, Bruce and the Band were at their peak, hitting each song just about perfectly. Other highlights included "New York City Serenade," the encore-opening "Jungleland," and the show closing "Raise Your Hand." A CDR of this show has circulated. Complete set list.

November 15, 1999 - Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH
The fall leg of the 1999 tour didn't leave much room for surprises as most cities only saw one show. However, with two nights in the Springsteen-history-rich town of Cleveland, Bruce did not disappoint. This show opened with "Don't Look Back" and included rare performances of "You Can Look" and "Because the Night," as well as the tour debut of the "country swing" version of "No Surrender." The encores were also unique as Bruce did both "Growin' Up" and closed the show with "Blinded by the Light." To add to the unique feel of the show, Patti was not there due to a perforated eardrum, which meant Bruce did both "Independence Day" and "Point Blank." An "Assisted Listening Device" (ALD) recording of this show has circulated, as well as a recording that blended both the ALD and the audience sources called "Just the Boys in Cleveland." Complete set list.

June 17, 2000 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
The third show of the tour-closing Garden stand brought one major surprise: "E Street Shuffle," which had not been played since December 2, 1975. Other highlights included the new "Code of Silence," the "American Skin"-"Promised Land" one-two punch, the encore-opening "Further On Up the Road," and then "Spirit in the Night" during the encores. Crystal Cat's "Saturday Night" uses an outstanding audience recording that also features ten bonus tracks from other nights of the stand. Complete set list.

December 18, 2000 - Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
With the E Street Band, the Max Weinberg 7, and Friends
The most fun shows of the last couple of years have been the holiday shows, and the two shows from 2000 were perhaps the most fun shows in a long, long time. Bruce pulled out many, many songs that had not been played in years, including "Kitty's Back," the solo piano "For You," and "So Young and in Love," as well as all the standard, and not-so-standard, Christmas songs. The guests, including Southside Johnny, performed their own songs as well, creating a real community atmosphere. A major highlight was Bruce's debut of "My City of Ruin," a new song he reportedly wrote for the occasion. While both shows had identical set lists, the second night featured a public soundcheck, as Bruce, Southside, Nils, and the Red Headed Women did a short three-song soundcheck after the fans had already been allowed inside. This show was treed on RMAS and another recording was released by Crystal Cat as "Holiday Night." Complete set list.

December 7, 2001 - Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
With the Max Weinberg 7 and Friends
The second set of "Holiday Shows" again featured some major surprises along with the usual Christmas songs. Bruce opened the fourth night of the 2001 holiday stand with a solo piano arrangement of "Incident on 57th Street," the first rendition of that song in that arrangement since 1975, absolutely flooring the audience. Other highlights included "Seaside Bar Song," "Thundercrack," and "So Young and in Love." A few different guests were onhand for these shows, most notably Bruce Hornsby, and he and Springsteen dueted on "The End of the Innocence," a song Hornsby wrote with Don Henley in 1989. Definitely a song that did not feel out of place being sung by Springsteen. The two Bruce's then sang "You Sexy Thing," which may just have been the "fun" highlight of the week. Everyone, Bruce S., Bruce H., the musicians, the crowd, had a big smile on their face during this one. For those for whom that title is not familiar, the lyrics go, "I believe in miracles/where ya from/you sexy thing." The show was distributed on RMAS and Crystal Cat released another recording of it called "Jingle Bell Night." Complete set list.

October 24, 2002 - The Globe, Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm got one of the longer shows from the 2002 European tour, with six songs before "Empty Sky" and two songs in the solo piano spot, "Incident on 57th Street" and "For You." Bruce also got a vibe going at the end of "Badlands," and the band seamlessly segued into the Them classic "Gloria." The combination of "The Fuse" and "Candy's Room" was very thematically appropriate. Available on Crystal Cat's "Stockholm Night" and Piggham's "Stockholm Rising 2002." Complete set list.

December 13, 2002 - Pepsi Center, Albany, NY
In what was supposed to have been the final night of the barnstorming tour, Bruce brought his A-game for a crowd that consisted of many New Yorkers and New Jershians who made the trek up. Although the set list was very similar to the shows four days earlier in Columbia, SC, there were some key changes. An improptu "Darkness on the Edge of Town" was a reaction to the cheers for the "eye for an eye" line in "Empty Sky," and a spur-of-the-moment, show-closing "Around and Around" sent everyone home happy. Available on the fan-produced recording "Around and Around in Albany." Complete set list.

June 28, 2003 - San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy
The closing night of the 2003 European tour was done under a downpour, but the thousands of Italians who packed the stadium didn't mind. As a tribute to the old fans, Bruce played "Follow That Dream" for the only time on the tour and closed the show with "Rosalita," a hint of things to come in the U.S. Available on the Crystal Cat release "San Siro Night." Complete set list.

August 31, 2003 - Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
The final night of Bruce's historic ten-night stand at Giants Stadium featured something for everyone. From the opening chords of "Cynthia," in its live debut, to the closing chorus of "Jersey Girl," this show delivered it all. "Lucky Town" satisfied the fans clamoring for more post-85 material in the set list, while older fans sang along to "Sprit in the Night" and "Kitty's Back." Available on the fan-produced recording "Summer Wind Remaster." Complete set list.

September 13, 2003 - FedEx Field, Washington, DC
By mid-September, surprises in the set list were expected, and when the tour hit this suburb of Washington, DC, no one knew what was coming. Johnny Cash had passed away the day before, and Bruce opened the show with a somber version of Cash's "I Walk the Line." Other highlights included "Human Touch," "Paradise," and the tour debut of "Pink Cadillac." This is the first show on this list that is being included because of the circulating fan-produced video called "3," which utlized several cameras and used an excellent audio source. Complete set list.