Jared's first Springsteen Concert at five years old!

Jared's first Sprinsteen concert. APRIL 7, 2008 ANAHEIM: RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT!
Bruce said it himself, after "Murder Incorporated": "We're out for blood!" True enough, it was a monster show at the Honda Center -- energy high, Bruce loose, surprise songs and surprise guests taking the whole thing even higher.

Keeping the string of unique openers going, Bruce hollered to Steve, "I see a light up there!" before launching into the tour premiere of a streamlined "Light of Day." So it was frenetic from the start, and the crowd ate it up -- Bruce mixed in a few bars of "California Sun" for them, too. Blistering selections like "Murder Incorporated" and "Trapped" kept the intensity up. The night's radio station poll winner was "Because the Night," and as usual, Nils cranked out another mind-blowing guitar solo. A few songs later, though, he had some stiff competition... or, on second thought, let's call it a fellow traveler.

After "Working on the Highway," Bruce made the introduction: "I've got a close friend of mine here with me tonight, gonna come up and do a song -- Mister Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine!" And the crowd goes wild. "Tommy also makes great acoustic records, as The Nightwatchman," Bruce added, but there was little acoustic about this premiere of "The Ghost of Tom Joad." It was a pounding, full-band electric arrangement, featuring Nils on pedal steel, Charlie Giordano on accordion, and Morello on guitar (to put it mildly) and vocals. Imagine a combination of RATM's "Joad," which they released in the '90s, and the E Street Band's take on "Youngstown." Or heck, hear it for yourself. Bruce and Tom traded vocals -- Bruce taking the first verse, Tom the second, and they split the third -- and here was a case of a guy who was prepared for his guest spot. Morello nailed it. On the six-string, Morello was no slouch at all during the song, but for the climax it was just a massive, words-fail-us solo, in his inimitable style. The band was focused on Morello as he played, one of the few times you'll see them watching something other than Bruce. The highlight of the show, and one of the the highlights of the tour, for that matter.

Bruce was clearly feeling juiced by set's end, as he kept things going after "Badlands" for the first time, calling for "Out in the Street" to ride the wave of momentum. The encore had him calling out for "California girls... California girls... come on, thrill me, I'm getting old!" After a rollicking "Rosalita," more guests joined in: Bobby Bandiera on "Ramrod"; Sessions Band players Marty Rifkin and Marc Anthony Thompson for the show-closing "American Land." Plenty of signs in the crowd, with fans hoping to capitalize on Bruce's recent penchant for taking requests, but he wasn't having it tonight. And clearly, there's something to be said for Springsteen making his own plans.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Jared
• Springsteen
• Dad
• Magic

[jeterscowgirl]

do you happen to have the stills of this show of the audience and bruce because i was in the pit and i noticed that i am in some of these pics...thanks!!!

[hangons]

Yes, I have the stills... which ones do you need? What is your email address?

[bababooey2006]

Get that kid a real baseball hat. Otherwise nice job.

[hangons]

Thanks for your comment... The A's are his Tee-Ball team.. Go Dodger's!

[TheMacfan10]

This Is cool!!!!! Jared must have been Happy. I remember my first concert. Ill never forget it!!! Bruce is a great man with A great band!!

[proctor977]

graet Jared!!! hallo from Italy!!! come in Rome at 7/19!!!!!

[jordpaul]

my first show was when I was 3

[MariaSpringsteen]

thank you but I had already found out that !! but thanks !

[davidsenoner]

trapped

[MariaSpringsteen]

What's the name of the song at 1.15 ?

[samdaman1313]

i was at that show. i had liek the exact same seats as u

[pacbiggie4334]

i wish my cousins who are older than him would act like him more...they're to drugged up on "Jonas Brothers" and "Hannah Montana".

[StokesCathCSI]

i waz @ that concert and I remember what bruce said, it made me laugh i'm glad your son enjoyed the concert!!