Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band announce hiatus
Considering the events of the last three years (see the part about two full-length albums, massive world tours, and headlining Bonnaroo), the following news isn’t all that surprising. Still it comes as a bummer to report that Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band will go on a hiatus following their currently ongoing North American tour.
The news was revealed by guitarist Steve Van (via Live Daily) during a recent conference call concerning the aforementioned tour.
“We are going to take a break,” Van Zandt said. “I don’t know how long, one year, year-and-a-half, two years off. This is a good time to see us. We may not be as pretty, [but] we seem to be getting better in funny ways.”
He added, “You never know. This could be be the last tour. We do every show like it’s our last show anyway.”
Of course, the comments could just be the latest marketing ploy used by the band to sell tickets — After problems with Ticketmaster and scalpers earlier this year, Springsteen and Co. implemented a paperless ticked policy and are requiring buyers to pick up their purchase at Will Call. The decision, however, has resulted in slower than normal sales and has forced the band, at least according to some conspiracy theorists, to do such insanely awesome things as play Born to Run in its entirety in hopes of upping sales.
Still, this is a band sporting a collective average age of 58.2 years old, and given their recent endeavors, a hiatus should have been expected. Well, a hiatus for everyone except Bruce… we’re guessing a new solo album is much more likely from him than two years of silence.
Check out your apparent final opportunities to see the E Street Band below.
Oh, and at least we now have Pavement to fill the void!
Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band 2009 Tour Dates:
09/16 - Greenville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center
09/20 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
09/21 - Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena
09/30 - E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium
10/02 - E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium
10/03 - E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium
10/08 - E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium
10/09 - E. Rutherford, NJ @ Giants Stadium
10/13 - Philadelphia, PA @ Spectrum
10/14 - Philadelphia, PA @ Spectrum
10/19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Spectrum
10/20 - Philadelphia, PA @ Spectrum
10/25 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
10/26 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
10/29 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden *
11/02 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
11/03 - Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena
11/07 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
11/08 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
11/10 - Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
11/13 - Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace at Auburn Hills
11/15 - Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
11/18 - Nashville, TN @ Sommett Center
11/20 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena
11/22 - Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena
* = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert
i saw bruce last night in b-more and it was easily the best show I’ve seen since ‘78, maybe better
I have seen Bruce and the band three times this year, and the shows were EPIC! The joy and energy Springsteen brings to the stage is unparalleled. Each show was three hours of non-stop rock n roll bliss. Anyone who has been to see him live knows it is a life-changing experience. I will see them again to close out Giants Stadium Oct 9th and at Madison Square Garden in November. I really hope this will not be the last tour…I will go into mourning along with many other fans. And if it is the end, thank you Bruce and the E Street Band for so many incredible concerts for so many years!
Few bands of any age could keep up with the pace they’ve kept the past three years. They deserve a break. I would expect a solo album or a Seeger Sessions project next from Bruce. Clarence (age 67?) might not be able to stand another tour, and it just wouldn’t seem like the E Street Band without him. By the next tour, he could be 70 or 72. Who knows it could be their last.
The band needs a break. It’s tough to keep up with Bruce. I expect he’ll announce another project before too long. Another Seeger Sessions tour would be great, as would a solo project. “Devils and Dust” resulted in a great solo tour. Anyone remember his amazing cover of “Dream Baby, Dream”? Anyway, this tour isn’t over yet! Let’s enjoy it!
Not really surprised by this. I think taking a break at 60 years old is acceptable. The last few years have been pretty massive for Bruce and the E’s.
Sad, sad news. Easily the worst news of the day. I have yet to see the Boss, too.
What Michael Roffman said x2
Oh… fuck.
Sep 17th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
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