Linking Myself
Posted: January 28th, 2009 | Filed under: Essays | 18 Comments »
Got a Super Bowl post going up a bit later today, I think. And hang on because in the next couple of days … a monster blog post with the one and only Nils Lofgren.
In the meantime, though, I did want to link the Bruce Springsteen story I did for Sports Illustrated, which includes quotes from Brilliant Reader Caryn.
And while I’m at it, here is the link for the John Updike column I wrote for the Kansas City Star.
Just so you won’t think I’m slacking off.
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Inspiring words on Updike. Enjoy Tampa.
I enjoy Springsteen music, but it occurs to me that no one takes themselves more seriously than hard-core Springsteen fans.
Bruce’s music speaks to people, and I get that. I also understand that they feel like Bruce has done things differently than other stars, that he has for decades focused more on great live shows and heartfelt music than commercial success.
However, I think Bruce’s fans feel that their fanship of him somehow elevates THEM to a higher plane, that they themselves are purer of heart than fans of the Rolling Stones or U2 or some other band that plays stadium tours.
I think even Bruce would chuckle at that, as much as he appreciates their devotion. The bottom line is, Bruce gets to play a show that hundreds of millions of people will watch. Watch it or don’t, enjoy it or don’t. It doesn’t make him Up With People. He’s still Bruce.
It’s pretty obvious to me why Bruce is playing the Super Bowl – he wants to be heard, and not just by the true believers. There are few places on radio left for a 59 year old rock and roller and his new tunes. And if you read any recent profile of the man (like David Fricke’s in the new Rolling Stone), it’s clear that Bruce feels very strongly about his recent work (especially the past three albums with the band), and he has no intention of turning into a nostalgia act. That’s why he plays the Today show, and puts up free songs on iTunes, and just gives a knowing wink when his albums leak before the release date and the songs turn up on every music blog. He doesn’t want to be frozen in 1984. And while I’m not sold on the new album (loved Magic, though), that’s the way it ought to be. If you have something to say, say it. And if you’re proud of it, make people hear it. That’s why I’m confident that Sunday’s set list won’t just be a run through the past.
I think Joe’s column nails it – the Super Bowl halftime has changed. It’s not the joke it used to be.
I saw U2 at XXXVI. One of the great live performances I’ve ever seen. In fact, I watched it again last night on NFLN and felt like I was going to cry.
I wasn’t at XLI to see Prince but I know Joe has written on this blog that it was one of the best performances he’s ever seen.
Look, when U2, Prince, and Petty are playing the Super Bowl – and not just playing it but ripping the sh*t out of it – you can’t pretend it’s beneath you. It’s not Up With People anymore.
The U2 concert was in my mind a bit different, having come after 9/11. It was a complete break from what had come before, but it was clear that it occurred only because of 9/11.
Prince was the big change. For the first time ever we actually had a great 12 minute rock concert. He took the medley format and made it work (5 artists, 9 songs). He did a long guitar solo and didn’t worry about holding the audience’s attention. Not only did he not lip sync, he was shredding in the rain! Hell, he even successfully integrated a marching band.
That concert is what made people believe that the super bowl halftime show could be real. And that’s why Bruce is playing there now. And I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make it kick ass.
Could we get a “Revenge of the Nerds Talent Show Rap” reunion for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, please?? Is that too much to ask?? Can’t you just see Booger Presley on the mean guitar rocking it out for the millions around the world?? And what would bring the nations of the world closer together than a Japanese man banging a gong in an indian head dress??
TELL me that wouldn’t be the greatest thing that you have ever seen…These are the things that I think about…
Oh, and let this forever warm your hearts:
http://www.guille.net/images/lamar1.jpg
Well I think we all kicked ourselves for missing Janet’s boob at halftime that one year, because NO ONE watches halftime, and if you did it was background while you grabbed another snack plate. So everyone heard about it, but how many people actually saw it? So instead of the halftime show being known for nudity the NFL decided to actually put artists in there that are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame worthy and to tell them to put on a great show. It’s been nice to watch some great acts the last few years. Not a big fan of Prince, but man he rocked that place. And U2 was the best ever. Can’t top that, but that was before the boob, and a special event, that maybe made the NFL think twice about its cheesy ass multiple performer shows. McCartney was damn good, The Stones were as good, Petty was fun, Prince was awesome, and hopefully Bruce will be ok, but I’m not a fan, so I won’t hold my breath.
Growing up in New York, it was virtually impossible to escape the Sprinsteen onslaught. I think that the best things about moving away from New York was escaping Bruce. Actually, it was escaping those broomclosets that double pretend to be apartments, but escaping Bruce has to be a close second.
I must admit that I always get a chuckle when I hear the opening lyrics to “Thunder Road” though. Were those meant to be funny?
Enjoy Bruce at halftime. I’ll get some snacks instead.
Dan Jenkins nailed the whole Super Bowl halftime problem in “Semi-Tough.” It’s been years since I read it but just the memories make me laugh.
One of the running jokes was how the New York Jets were playing the New York (football) Giants and had to go to Miami to play the game. We’ve had what? Forty-mumble Super Bowls on “neutral fields” and never had a team play on its home field?
Think about it.
(But be careful. You might find yourself agreeing with Rod Blogojevich that “the fix is in.”)
A regular season NFL halftime is what? 10 minutes?
But for the Super Bowl you need to have the Mormon Tabernacle Choir do a “Mickey Mouse Club” introduction — “I’m Tommy! I’m Annette! I’m Roy!” (Who the hell was Roy, btw? Always looked liked a pedophile to me. And Jimmy looked a lot like Ted Haggard. But I digress….) — then the Space Shuttle has to fly over the stadium and Miss World and Mister Universe consummate their wedding vows (as presided over by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon) while Mick Jagger and Keith Richard answer the altar call, accept Jesus, and sing “Amazing Grace”). A bit longer than the typical 10-minute NFL halftime. And it’ll take even longer if they open the box and Pete Rozelle actually resurrects from the dead. (The Vegas money for that is definitely not going that way, btw.)
I don’t really get why anyone would think this is beneath Bruce. What’s the difference with this and the Today show, MTV Unplugged, etc.?
With Petty, U2 and Springsteen already having done it, unless they go back through the list again, who’s left to play halftime?
I agree, some Springsteen fans are the most arrogant people out there. For lack of a better term, many of them are “elitists.” All though, I post on a Springsteen message board, I believe a lot of fans are happy to see him play the Superbowl.
It’s not like Bruce has been slumming it up in the music business. He’s made a lot of cash. And, if him playing Half-time at the Super Bowl kills you that much, then you’re just kidding yourself.
You know, the thing I loved about the SI story is, right at the end, the punch line is that Prince knew the opening chords to…oh, go read it and find out for yourself.
That Joe, laying around doing nothin’, watching tv in his underwaer while the dishes need to be washed we are craving his writing. Lazy SOB.
An interview with Zoe Lofgren? The congresswoman from northern California? Cool.
I’ve never understood what the big deal was about Springsteen, but I thoroughly enjoyed the SI article. Great work, Joe!
The SI. article was brilliant all the way through, but nothing tops the “Johnny B. Goode” closing from Prince. Wish I’d been in the room!
I think it’s great that Bruce is playing the Super Bowl, and I’m looking forward to seeing him. I’ve always been a big fan of his. If this were ten years ago, I would have had a problem with it. Halftime at the Super Bowl was the ultimate schlock-fest. But with U2, the Stones, and Tom Petty having played lately, it’s a whole different gig. It should be great.
What will he play? Born to Run, The Rising, and something unexpected.
Also loved the Updike piece. I found the New Yorker article on Ted Williams and am looking forward to reading it.
The picture in the SI article of Bruce on stage with Patti and Al Leiter at Shea Stadium? I was at that concert!