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No matter how bad or bleak this year's been, nobody can ever take away that I got to meet Bruce Springsteen, which was pretty incredible.
I'd had previous opportunities in my life to stand next to or near Bruce. But none of those times meant nearly as much as this fall, when my wife Angie and I went to meet him at his American tour of book signings for his autobiography.
We waited in line all night long at the Grove in Los Angeles, and we're grown ass people so on the surface it seems absurd, but this was one time when it truly ended up being worth the wait. Springsteen has been as large a part of my life as anyone or anything. His work has meant the world to me, and as my wife got to know his work, he's become an artistic touchstone to her as well.
The experience was everything and more. It was surreal. It was beautiful. I still think of it every day at this point (it's been a couple months now). My wife really made it happen; when she heard he was doing this signing, and that pictures would be taken with the man, she told me, "now, no matter what you say about how busy we are, or how it will be sheer madness with all the people that will want to do this, no matter what, we are doing this", and she really was the one that made it happen.
In the summer of 1978 I was 17 years old, and there were 3 albums that came out that summer that would have an enormously influential affect on my life: they were Some Girls by the Rolling Stones, Street Legal by Bob Dylan, and of course, Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce. I played these 3 records into the ground that summer. In the case of Darkness, it just felt like somebody had been peaking directly into my own life and had written ALL ABOUT IT. I was just starting to think critically about art, music, books, movies, and that record has probably had more to say to me than anything else. It still resonates. Believe in yourself. Live a moral, great life, because life is hard but it's worth it. Love your wife, your family. The way these things are expressed in that record, it just knocked me out. It's been that way with him ever since for me.
When the moment finally arrived I told him how much his work has meant to me over the years. He smiled and nodded. After they took the picture of us, before I walked away, i had to connect one more time. Earlier this year Bruce played his final shows at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, they closed the building after his final gig there this spring. From 1981 on, Bruce had played a total of 40 shows at the Sports Arena.
After they took the picture I turned to Bruce, and with a huge grin on my face I said, "20 of your Sports Arena shows Bruce.....20!"
He lit up. He laughed and he said, "That's incredible".
It was one of my best days. Thanks Angie.
I don't know if this link will work or not. I'll try.
No matter how bad or bleak this year's been, nobody can ever take away that I got to meet Bruce Springsteen, which was pretty incredible. Dec 19, 23:56
Awesome story. Thanks for sharing. Nice pic. {nm} Dec 20, 04:44
great story! {nm} Dec 27, 07:38
