Smallscreen News

Bruce Springsteen closes out Elvis Costello's Sundance show, video

By April MacIntyre Jan 26, 2010, 16:14 GMT

He is 60!! US singer Bruce Springsteen performs at the \'Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief\' concert in New York city, USA, on 22 January 2010. A powerful earthquake hit Haiti on January 12 2010, leaving thousands dead and many displaced. EPA/EVAN AGOSTINI

"Spectacle: Elvis Costello with Bruce Springsteen Part 2" Premieres Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Now I love the Boss, we share a birthday (September 23) and his music dominated my teen years.  Lucky for me I got to see him live three times, and if you have never experienced a Springsteen concert, let me tell you, it makes all other performers look like total slackers. The E-Street band goes on for hours and hours.

But there is a Bruce fan who loves him more than me, apparently; MentalFloss.com's reporter Matt Soniak compiled a terrific list of 60 facts on Bruce to celebrate his 60th birthday.

A smattering, courtesy of MentalFloss.com:

"Another fan was the late Joe Strummer. The Clash frontman was asked about the Boss for a TV documentary in mid-90s and he responded with a fax that said, among other things, “Bruce is great…if you don’t agree with that, you’re a pretentious Martian from Venus” and “The DJ puts on ‘Racing in the Streets’ and life seems worth living again.”

"Dr. Ruth Westheimer once visited Bruce backstage at a show. She told him she liked what he said in his songs about love and sex, but she wished he’d mention contraception once in a while."

"The late Warren Zevon was also Bruce’s friend, fan and collaborator. When Zevon was diagnosed with mesothelioma, he refused any treatment he thought would incapacitate him and headed to the studio—with plenty of friends in tow—to record his final album, The Wind. Springsteen provided background vocals and electric guitar for two songs, one of which won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal. Springsteen later appeared on a tribute album to Zevon, performing his song 'My Ride’s Here.”"

"Bruce had a bit of a hard time in school. When he was in third grade, a nun (editor's note: a NUN!) stuffed him into a garbage can under her desk, claiming that’s “where he belonged.” Years later, at Ocean County College, legend has it that his fellow students petitioned the administration to have him expelled."

"When the Springsteens were living in Freehold, New Jersey, their house was near a Nestle’s factory. When the wind was just right, Bruce has said, he could smell chocolate all day long."

"The first song a young Bruce learned play on the guitar was the Beatles’ 'Twist and Shout.' "

"There really is an E Street. It runs northeast through the New Jersey shore town of Belmar. According to Springsteen lore, the band took its name from the street because original keyboard player David Sancious’ mother lived there and allowed the band to rehearse in her house."

Back to Sundance's great show with Elvis Costello.

In the season's final episode, Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen team up for a special performance of Springsteen's hit "Radio Silence" which then leads into Costello's single "Radio Radio."

The Academy Award-winning Springsteen discusses his current inspirations and the resurgence of New Jersey. As well as the music his children have introduced to him and the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

In addition, he also performs "Galveston Bay," "The Rising" and many more. Bruce Springsteen-- Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello discuss sharing the stage

Bruce Springsteen discusses using humor as inspiration