Notes: Bruce and the band open for headliner Biff Rose. Early show.
Double bill, with Springsteen opening for headliner BIFF ROSE. The above-mentioned “rogue”, studio-mixed live recording of “Rosalita” from Max’s Kansas City residency first surfaced on the 3CD set “DEEP DOWN IN THE VAULTS (E Street Records). This is likely to have served as a copyright reference recording for Laurel Canyon, much in the same was as the recording of “Thundercrack” from 31/1/73 did. Intriguingly both these recordings are near perfect sonic matches, so it’s very possible “Rosalita” comes from the “missing” band segment phase of the previous night’s 2nd show. However it could just as well be from any shows during this residency. It’s obvious the audience is hearing “Rosalita” for the very first time, so it’s fascinating to listen to the reaction. Given that this early rendition features just 5 instruments, it lacks the punch that David Sancious’ presence from June 1973 injected in the arrangement. However this is currently the earliest live recording of the song in circulation and it includes the “CHIFFON reins - SAMURAI tongue” lines that grace Bruce’s 1972 handwritten lyric sheet. The live rendition of “Rosalita” performed in Richmond on Feb 14th also featured these early draft lyrics. Since Bruce changed the words in April or May, all later period live renditions feature the “official” MAMA’S reins - LITTLE GIRL tongue” lyrics.
Notes: Late show.
Two shows, with Bruce and the boys opening for headliner BIFF ROSE. Although long-rumored to have been played during the stint at Paul's Mall in January, the only verified live performance of "Visitation At Fort Horn" stems from a show during this week-long residency at Max's, although the specific night has yet to be determined. During an interview with Charles Cross in 1990 Mike Appel commented on the performance……… "I was sitting in Max's Kansas City and Bruce decided to do it that night. He used Clarence, Vini and Garry as these SONS OF THE PIONEERS - type singers. I was with this guy from Epic (Records) and he turned to me and said, "I just don't believe this guy. This is the greatest thing I've ever heard". Unfortunately no audio recording is known.
Notes: Bruce and the band open for headliner Biff Rose. Early show
Some reviews of these shows also report THE ANGEL as played, but Bruce himself denied it in some circumstances (actually he generically states that he would never perform that song live).
Notes: Bruce and the band open for headliner Biff Rose. Late show.
TWO shows, with Bruce and the boys opening for headliner BIFF ROSE. Although long-rumored to have been played during the stint at Paul's Mall in January, the only verified live performance of "Visitation At Fort Horn" stems from a show during this week-long residency at Max's, although the specific night has yet to be determined. During an interview with Charles Cross in 1990 Mike Appel commented on the performance……… "I was sitting in Max's Kansas City and Bruce decided to do it that night. He used Clarence, Vini and Garry as these SONS OF THE PIONEERS - type singers. I was with this guy from Epic (Records) and he turned to me and said, "I just don't believe this guy. This is the greatest thing I've ever heard". Unfortunately no audio recording is known.
Notes: Bruce and the band open for Biff Rose. Early show
05-Feb-1973 New York,NY Max's Kansas City,USA
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Notes: Bruce and the band open for Biff Rose. Late show.
TWO shows, double billing, with Springsteen opening for headliner BIFF ROSE. As the undercard, Bruce's performances were limited to approximately 60-70 minutes. David Bowie showed up on this final night to see Biff Rose (a friend of Bowie's) and caught Springsteen's performance, although the two future legends weren't introduced to each other. Bowie had never even heard of an artist named Springsteen until this night. In a Musician Magazine interview in 1987 Bowie commented on Bruce’s performance on this night: "I hated him as a solo... as soon as the band came on it was like a different person and he was marvellous... I like the Asbury Park (LP) material, my favourite period of Springsteen is the early stuff". NOTE: In June 1973 Bowie would be the first artist to record (though not release) a Springsteen composition ("Growin' Up"). Bowie and Bruce would final meet on 26/11/74
10-Feb-1973 Asbury Park,NJ Sunshine In,USA
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Notes: One show, with Bruce and the boys headlining and ELEPHANTS MEMORY (John Lennon's occasional backing band) the evening's opener. Bruce's farewell appearance at this legendary haunt, the site of so many of his performances during the pre-CBS years. The Sunshine In closed down in 1977 and the location was converted into a parking lot a few years later.
11-Feb-1973 South Orange,NJ Seton Hall University,USA
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Notes: One show, with Bruce and the boys the sole act on the bill. Held in the Main Lounge of the Bishop Dougherty Student Center.
Notes: ONE show, double bill, with Bruce and the boys opening for headliner DAN HICKS & HIS HOT LICKS. Springsteen was allowed to present a headliner-length performance of nearly 90 minutes – and he stole the show from Hicks. The above-mentioned setlist represents Springsteen's entire song presentation from this show in the correct sequence, as sourced from a newspaper review of the show in conjunction with a recently circulating (but very poor quality) 45-minute audience tape encompassing 5 of the show’s 9 songs. The taper apparently did not record Bruce’s opening three numbers and “Blinded By The Light”.
From an historical standpoint the significant performance is "Rosalita". This is a unique arrangement that not only features a near-complete rendition of The Beach Boys "Fun Fun Fun" sandwiched in the middle, but also incorporates a cosmic story-rap that finds an 8yr old Springsteen locked in an Alabama jail with Dennis Wilson, James Brown and Wilson Pickett (whose “634-5789” Bruce covered earlier in the show). The subtle audio edit heard after "Thundercrack" (the end of the main set) and before "Rosalita" (the encore) merely eliminates several minutes of cheering as the audience coaxes Bruce and the band back for a final song. Following "Rosalita" the MC can be heard announcing that Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks will follow. Grateful thanks to Jeff Crossan, through Brucebase for the news article and additional information.
16-Feb-1973 Long Branch,NJ Monmouth College,USA
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Notes: ONE show, double bill, with Springsteen headlining and SOUTHERN CONSPIRACY opening. Promoted as the "Save A Tree Concert", with tickets only $1 provided you brought in paper for recycling. Note: this show is sometimes incorrectly listed as having taken place on 16/02/72. But a poster confirms this as 1973.
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Notes: CANCELLED concert, never re-scheduled. San Diego was supposed to be the start of a pre-planned, 2-week series of west coast gigs featuring the then-unknown Springsteen opening for mid-60’s electric blues legend Paul Butterfield’s new outfit PAUL BUTTERFIELD’S BETTER DAYS. Bruce and the band flew out to Los Angeles only to be informed upon arrival that nearly all of the scheduled dates with Butterfield were in the process of being cancelled due to very poor advanced ticket sales. Bruce’s road crew, on the other hand, did not fly out with the band - they drove out to the west coast with all the band’s sound equipment. Greetings Tour sound manager Albee Tellone has commented to BRUCEBASE that the road crew drove directly to San Diego only to learn upon arrival that the gig had been axed. The road crew then drove to LA to meet up with the band. With the Paul Butterfield Tour in tatters (only one show with Butterfield – 28/02/73 - ended up being played) Bruce’s agent scurried around and was able to slot him onto the billing of couple of Blood Sweat and Tears shows.
Notes: Partial setlist.
ONE show, double bill, with Springsteen opening for PAN (a just-formed band headed by former BEAU BRUMMELS guitarist/songwriter Ron Elliot). This was actually “hoot night” at the club, but some of the LA music press were present to listen to the much-respected Elliot’s new outfit. A couple of songs into the set Bruce’s guitar amp failed and, because minimal spares had been brought out to the west coast, the road crew were unable to fix it – so Bruce performed most of this show on piano instead of electric guitar. The four above-mentioned tracks were played but these represent only a partial setlist from this show. Springsteen’s performance received brief (but positive) reviews by Billboard’s Nat Freeland and LA Free Press journalist Peter Jay Philbin. Also in the audience to watch Bruce was soul singer Jerry Butler, who was about to begin a 6-night stint at the club, starting the following evening.
27-Feb-1973 Bakersfield,CA Civic Auditorium,USA
- This show was NOT PLAYED
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Notes: Cancelled and never rescheduled. This gig was to have featured Bruce and the boys opening for headliner PAUL BUTTERFIELD'S BETTER DAYS. Believed to have been cancelled due to weak advanced ticket sales.
28-Feb-1973 Stockton,CA Memorial Civic Auditorium,USA
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Notes: One show, with Bruce and the boys opening for headliner PAUL BUTTERFIELD'S BETTER DAYS. This show took place, as scheduled.
