Summer 1985. Born in the USA.
Bruce Springsteen became a huge iconic figure during the 1980s. He was already a successful musician but his Born in The USA Tour really made him a household name everywhere. In New Jersey, he is patron Saint to this day. I remember people for years raving about the fact that if you went to The Stone Pony, a bar in what was largely desolate and deteriorating Asbury Park at the time, Springsteen might stop in for a jam session. I never went to The Stone Pony, however. I seem to recall trying to go once but it had a huge line. That and I think I was a little leery of using my fake ID there. I had no concerns using it in New York City just about anywhere, but a bar down the shore, especially "the bar" in many ways at that time, I thought was taking too much of a risk. I do also vaguely recall that some friend or perhaps Laura and I went and sought out his once former home in Long Branch at some point while I was attending Morristown High School.
Although Springsteen did more performances of the Born in The USA Tour at the then Meadowlands in New Jersey than anywhere else, getting tickets was impossible. I was at "the beach" in Delaware and the day or maybe 2 days before he was to perform at RFK Stadium in DC, some friend of mine had an extra ticket. It's a give or take 3 hour trip to DC from Bethany Beach on a typical day. It involves crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a 4.3 mile bridge that is 200 feet high in certain parts and has been frequently called America's scariest bridge. I remember it made my Mother very nervous and while I doubt I admitted anything, it was a bit intimidating to me though I already had crossed it that summer, 3 months after getting my license, with my brother, and I know in the years to come I did with some frequency at all hours day and night. My parents, which you already know if you have been reading this blog, were generally permissive and I didn't anticipate an outright rejection to my going. I think it was because I would need to take my Dad's new Cadillac Fleetwood, which was the car we had at the beach along with my Grandmother's old Ford station wagon, which she inherited from us. My argument was that it was OK for me to drive the Cadillac with my brother over 600 miles from Michigan to the beach that summer, but now I couldn't take it for an overnight. I then found a ride, but still no go. My Mother thought it was not safe to go to and from DC in one day, especially across that bridge. This was logical, but since when was she paying attention and parenting? I then found a place to stay at some friend's place in Montgomery County, Maryland, which is suburban DC and not that far from RFK, but she was not buying in. It was clear, I was not meant to see "The Boss." My Mother loved "Born in the USA" as a song, albeit being among probably millions not realizing it was less patriotic about the United States and more of a anti-war protest song, but my seeing him perform it live was not going to happen. My Father, I don't believe was there, but it was too easy for him to pipe in his rejection by phone. To this day, I still hold bitterness about it even knowing they were, for once, showing some concern about my safety and well being.
Although Springsteen did more performances of the Born in The USA Tour at the then Meadowlands in New Jersey than anywhere else, getting tickets was impossible. I was at "the beach" in Delaware and the day or maybe 2 days before he was to perform at RFK Stadium in DC, some friend of mine had an extra ticket. It's a give or take 3 hour trip to DC from Bethany Beach on a typical day. It involves crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a 4.3 mile bridge that is 200 feet high in certain parts and has been frequently called America's scariest bridge. I remember it made my Mother very nervous and while I doubt I admitted anything, it was a bit intimidating to me though I already had crossed it that summer, 3 months after getting my license, with my brother, and I know in the years to come I did with some frequency at all hours day and night. My parents, which you already know if you have been reading this blog, were generally permissive and I didn't anticipate an outright rejection to my going. I think it was because I would need to take my Dad's new Cadillac Fleetwood, which was the car we had at the beach along with my Grandmother's old Ford station wagon, which she inherited from us. My argument was that it was OK for me to drive the Cadillac with my brother over 600 miles from Michigan to the beach that summer, but now I couldn't take it for an overnight. I then found a ride, but still no go. My Mother thought it was not safe to go to and from DC in one day, especially across that bridge. This was logical, but since when was she paying attention and parenting? I then found a place to stay at some friend's place in Montgomery County, Maryland, which is suburban DC and not that far from RFK, but she was not buying in. It was clear, I was not meant to see "The Boss." My Mother loved "Born in the USA" as a song, albeit being among probably millions not realizing it was less patriotic about the United States and more of a anti-war protest song, but my seeing him perform it live was not going to happen. My Father, I don't believe was there, but it was too easy for him to pipe in his rejection by phone. To this day, I still hold bitterness about it even knowing they were, for once, showing some concern about my safety and well being.
It's really hard to believe those tickets were originally only $17.50. I don't remember how much, but the resales were far higher. I imagine part of my parents' objection was that the ticket, while being offered to me, was probably more like $100. I don't recall exactly, but it was considered a fair amount of money. People also weren't idiots and paying what they will today to go to concerts. There really isn't an artist that I want to see badly enough to pay $300, $500 or more to see perform.
Video from RFK Concert:
News coverage with interview with Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ).
I just happened upon news coverage the other day that his son is becoming a fireman in Jersey City and there were "The Boss," wife and family in attendance for his graduation. It made the news circuit across the country. Here is one clip:
Comments
Post a Comment
Your comments are greatly appreciated! I greatly welcome input, feedback, any and all suggestions.