Growing Up with Bruce Springsteen

Has it really been more than 40 years since Bruce Springsteen began spewing a slew of ramalama ding-dong lyrics hitched to a big beat like some showoff talent run amok? 

Long Lawrence of the Forever Memory recalls that we first saw this guy at Paul's Mall in January, 1972 so, if my math is right, he's been around twice as long as it took Sergeant Pepper to teach the band to play - and that's a half lifetime ago.

Below is the audio of the "E Street Shuffle" followed by "New York City Serenade" played at the the legendary " Future of Rock and Roll" show at Harvard Square Theater on May 9, 1974 and yep, I was there with my pom-poms!

Memorable moment number one was the collective gasp from the audience during the solo piano version of "For You". I've never heard a reaction like that before or since.

Memorable moment number two was the dazed look on the face of headliner Bonnie Raitt, whose first words when she stepped out onto the stage were, "I have to tell you, we're not that ambitious" - as the place fell apart in laughter and cheers.

The Future of Rock and Roll does the E Street Shuffle

Harvard Square Theater May 9, 1974

New York City Serenade May 9, 1974

These are the earliest performance videos I know of Bruce filmed at a showcase gig at Max's Kansas City in NYC 1972.

Growin' Up

Henry Boy

It's Hard to the a Saint in the City acoustic demo 1972