Bruce Springsteen

[+ WilliamM]

I have attending several of Bruce Springteen's very recent east coast "The River" concerts. It was an album that I did not particularly like when first released. I have completely changed my mind. In several instances, Springsteen talks about the songs from "The River."

 

I am sure there are bootlegs already available on the Internet.But, there is nothing better than actually being them. Near the end of the concerts, Springsteen sings the songs he is most know for: "Born to Run," "Dancing in the Dark" and "Rosealita (Come Out Tonight)."

 

Great concerts! And I am someone who thought I have enough of Bruce Springsreen.

[Jim Corrigan]

He portrays himself as a working class guy who stands up for the common man

Not quite.Awhile back he did a tour playing Pete Seger songs.He played a concert at The Bradly Center.The stage techs were on strike.They wrote him a letter asking him not to play there.Letter ignored.I'am sticking with the union indeed.I've lost all respect for him

[Becket]

I love the title track, The River. His melancholy tunes seem to tug at my soul. It reminds me of growing up near rivers, and seeking solace in their cool waters on a hot summer day. Sort of like all the troubles of the world being washed away for a few minutes when you first jump into the water. Good memories.

[+ WilliamM]

He portrays himself as a working class guy who stands up for the common man

Not quite.Awhile back he did a tour playing Pete Seger songs.He played a concert at The Bradly Center.The stage techs were on strike.They wrote him a letter asking him not to play there.Letter ignored.I'am sticking with the union indeed.I've lost all respect for him

 

I have seen almost too many Springsteen concerts since the mid-1970s. People who did not attend concerts during the tour you mentioned did not miss much. But, your larger point is his unwillingness to cancel. You are are absolutely correct. I do not know the full details, but it is directly against Springsteen's songs and political beliefs. Did he give a reason?

[bigvalboy]

Had he wanted to honor the stage techs request not to play, contractually speaking, would he have been able to without being sued?

[+ WilliamM]

The concert at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee happened on June 13, 2006. Now that I have seen all the information, I did see the Seeger concert a week later in Camden, NJ.

 

Apparently, ticket sold much better in Europe than the U.S.

[Jim Corrigan]

He never responded and gave no reason for not canceling.Performers cancel last minute all the time for various reasons

If there was a fine I am sure he could have afforded it

[+ nycman]

I hate to rain on your parade ....but.....my memory of the Springsteen / Bradley Center fuss is a little different......

 

I haven't read anywhere that the workers at the Bradley center were "on strike" in 2006.

 

In fact, it seems the objection was to Springsteen playing at a venue that was not unionized at all.

 

The workers at the Bradley center were free to unionize...if they wanted to...they had chosen not to at that time.

 

I don't see how you can expect Springsteen to punish that venue because their workers had decided not to unionize.

 

According to a Bradley Center spokesperson at the time:

 

""It's not management's decision — it's up to them," he said. "Hopefully part of it is we respect workers there,

treat them properly, give them competitive wages and a strong benefit package."

 

That just doesn't seem like something "the Boss" should be fighting against to me......lmao

 

As always, these issues are rarely as "simple" as they seem on the surface.

 

Milwaukee Business Journal 2006

 

USA Today 2006

[Jim Corrigan]

I stand corrected.My source was the union newsletter.Apologies to Bruce and his fans.As far as being free to unionise,that's. A relative term

.Having worked in places where attempts were made to form a union threats made by management were subtle but very real.