Super Bowl Sunday has become a national holiday by using the simple combination of football, excitement, and extravagance. Super Bowl XLII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers packed more than 71,000 fans into Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Fans sat to watch Pittsburgh run off to a ten-point halftime lead, and then jumped out of their seats to hear Bruce Springsteen prove the Steelers were not the only ones “Born to Run.”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played four songs during the halftime show, performing for about 12 minutes.
The enthusiasm brought by the 59-year-old Springsteen was viewed by more than 100-million Americans.
“Turn your television all the way up,” he yelled to the audience before opening with his 1976 single “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.”
Springsteen’s on-stage antics continued as viewers watched Bruce run from one side of the stage and slide on his knees directly into the camera. He smiled, stood up, and continued to entertain an estimated worldwide audience of 100-billion people.
Springsteen fans rejoiced to hear the opening drums of his second song “Born to Run.” He stood center-stage and played his guitar, seemingly out of breath.
An aging Springsteen proved the skeptics wrong as he sang out the lyrics of his 1975, self-identifying, legendary anthem.
The E Street Band has had a number of band members throughout the years with Springsteen since first being formed in 1972. Springsteen’s anthem “Born to Run” would not be complete without a saxophone solo by original member Clarence Clemons, and Sunday’s performance did not disappoint. Clemons, age 67, reproduced the fast-paced saxophone solo in perfect accordance to his version on the original album released in 1975.
Fans chanted along to the familiar tune of “Born to Run’s” conclusion, and watched as he approached the front of the stage.
He reached out to touch hands with many of the front-row fans as the dynamics of the stage were closed in by the blue robes of a choir. Springsteen’s comfort on stage was evident as he continued to laugh and joke around with members of his audience while creating a party-like atmosphere.
Springsteen’s 16th studio album, “Working on a Dream,” was released in late January 2009.
The E Street Band displayed a unique ability to combine fan favorites with new material by including a track off the new album into the halftime set-list.
See Bruce on page 14.
Bruce
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Springsteen’s third song was “Working on a Dream,” named after the album.
A full choir decked out in blue robes accompanied Bruce in a softer, more romantic type of atmosphere.
The third track on Springsteen’s latest album, “Working on a Dream,” was first performed in support of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in November 2008. Springsteen first announced his support of Barack Obama in April 2008, only to be followed by a performance at the Inauguration concert for Obama, which is available to watch for free online.
Bruce concluded his time on stage with the help of guitarist Steven Van Zandt.
Springsteen exchanged a few baseball terms for some football jargon in his 1984 hit single “Glory Days.” As a referee appeared on-stage to throw a flag for delay of game, Van Zandt reassured the crowd by screaming “It’s Boss Time!” Fireworks shot into the air as Springsteen shared his interest in Disneyland, which has become a conventional phrase for Super Bowl Sunday.
The Super Bowl’s enormous audience has intrigued popular performers due to the media blitz of this super sized event. In recent years the event has hosted prominent performers including Phil Collins, Aerosmith, U2, Paul McCartney and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
Springsteen can now be added to an impressive list of acts in Super Bowl history.
The Tampa area benefits from an estimated $300-million influx generated by our nation’s most televised sporting event, bringing more than one-hundred-thousand visitors to the Tampa Bay area.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band released plans for a 2009 United States/European tour.
Tickets are now available for all shows, including five planned performances in Pennsylvania. Springsteen will play at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia April 28th and 29th.
Pittsburgh, State College and Hershey are also on Springsteen’s 2009 world tour.
Eric Rinehimer can be reached at ER626593@wcupa.edu.