From The Desk Of DJ Deejay: Last Thoughts Before Bruce’s Spectrum Jersey Is Retired
Do you really think the mighty E Street Band could be stumped by a Clash cover?
You foolish, foolish person. Also, Clark3135 REALLY wants you to email him.
I stood on the Spectrum floor and looked at the hockey boards around me…torn and tattered, falling to pieces, literally. I did my best to watch the crowd often during the second night’s set… it felt important (to me, at least) to watch the audience’s reaction during certain numbers Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band performed, specifically “Born to Run.” I was located at the back of the general admission area… more elbow room towards the back etc… it was a cool experience to see the reaction of thousands of people from the floor to the rafters throw their hands in the air in unison during the “WHOAAAAOH!” of the verses/pre-chorus of “Born to Run.” As I watched and scanned the crowd, I noticed an orange and black banner hanging from up high… it was an official Spectrum banner that read, “Bruce Springsteen, 47 Philadelphia sell-outs.”
I contemplated that idea: 47 sell-outs of a 20,000 plus seat arena (which Bruce mentioned was the first arena they ever played). Imagine if we all were fortunate enough to communicate our thoughts/emotions so well as to have that many people, that many times over, come back again and again to hear the things we had to say or sing about or even watch us clap our hands.
The Spectrum is coming down…this we know. And although aspects of that idea can make us feel sad or nostalgic, for me, maybe it’s time. Maybe Bruce Springsteen & the East Street Band SHOULD be the last memory that we (or selfishly, I) have of the Spectrum. It seems he’s earned it.
– DJ Deejay
DJ Deejay — known to his mother as David Cassidy — is a lifelong Boss fan and the creator and DJ behind Philly’s Beatles & Stones Party.
April 30th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
One of the first things I’ll look for when I enter the Spectrum this weekend will be the Grateful Dead’s banner celebrating their 53 sold out shows. I got a glimpse of it when I took my kid to see Elmo & Friends a few months ago and it made me smile, smile, smile.
Thankfully, this will not be my last Spectrum memory as I fully expect to be there phour Halloween (pssst! it’s a secret…don’t tell anybody)
April 30th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I understand the nostalgia factor and it is a little more intimate seeing a show there, but the Spectrum is a freaking dump. Not to mention, the concourses were completely bottlenecked and bathrooms (ladies’ specifically) were jammed.
BUT. Bruce did rule last night. I almost passed out during the opening chords of “The Ties That Bind”.
April 30th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Bruce was part of a cadre of guitar players honoring Joe Strummer shortly after his passing a few years back at the Grammys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YI71v3DRHg
April 30th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Was Patti Scalfia there last night? She looked ok when I saw her Monday in NYC at the Tom Hanks thing, they didn’t walk the red carpet though:(
April 30th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I went tuesday night and it was great. pure joy
–
I’ll be saying goodbye to the Spectrum and the Grateful Dead at the shows this weekend. really hoping that these upcoming gigs pan out: recent Dead audience recordings on archive . org imply they could very well not. low expectations
and yes, the Grateful Dead sell out banner is still on the rafters made up in Flyer orange with tie-dyed numbering for the ’53′
April 30th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
@PCC: She was there. Boss and her did a really fun version of “Red Headed Woman”.