You guys are idiots. I don’t even like Springsteen that much, but quite enjoyed his performance. He’s a hell of a showman.
Bob Seger “turned pro” in Detroit in 1961, Bruce Springsteen in New Jersey in 1965; in 1966, Seger had his first local hit, and in 1968 signed his first major contract, and at that time, Springsteen MIGHT have heard of him. Springsteen was already well-known in New Jersey by that time, and signed HIS first contract in 1972. In 1975, Springsteen released his third album, Born to Run; in 1976, Seger released Night Moves (OK, he had a little success earlier with “Turn the Page,” Beautiful Loser, and Live Bullet, but Springsteen was nationally famous and nationally successful first).
My point? That Seger didn’t do ANYTHING “long before” Springsteen did, and wasn’t well-known “long before” Springsteen was. Not that that’s important, because they sound nothing like each other, and sounded less alike in the early days, and the notion that a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter like Springsteen was imitating a journeyman shouter like Seger, at this stage of his career, is absurd.
I thought it was pretty sweet for the purpose it was meant for.
Springsteen became nationally famous because his publicist got him on the covers of Time and Newsweek in the same week. Before that, hardly anybody had heard of him. Seger just did his thing, mostly in obscurity, for many years. They both made their appeal to the blue-collars, patriotism and teenage angst. Seger just had more subtlety and insight in his lyrics. Springsteen just pounded it at you with the same old obnoxious beat. I never said Seger was “well known”, he wasn’t, until maybe Chevy got ahold of him.
Springsteen, as a musician is a fraud.
You haven’t listened to much of Springsteen’s back catalogue, I take it? I recommend Nebraska and Darkness on the Edge of Town for starters.
At least it wasn’t in 3D, otherwise you would be nursing a black eye right now.
No offense but what’s with the anti-Springsteen hard-on? You’ve got an opinion here that is in many ways not borne out by the facts. You obviously know nothing about Springsteen’s music.
I don’t think you have to like it, but to make claims that he appeals to patriotism, or that his music has the same old obnoxious beat (in a way that Seger’s music does not) shows that you really have no idea what you’re talking about.
I kept watching and thinking…has Neil Diamond taken over Springsteen’s body?
And no “Born in the USA” - must have felt it a little to patriotic for his current political views
Have you listened to “Born in the USA”? It’s not exactly a patriotic song.
I suggest you listen to more of “Born in the USA” than the DJ reading the title. The song fits perfectly with his political views.
I was never a huge Springsteen fan in the first place but I thought the show was awful. To me he looked like it was difficult or him to move on the stage (crotch shot and all) and his voice was so full of gravel I could have filled my driveway.
I thought the show was awesome. Easily one of the best half-time shows of the past ten years. Who gives a fuck about how he sounded? Who watches the halftime show to hear how the performers sound? I watch to be entertained, and since I’ve never seen The Boss live, I was highly entertained. It was full of energy and a lot of fun.
I know it’s ever so cool to ridicule Super Bowl halftime shows, and yes, the Boss has gotten a bit paunchy and Little Steven isn’t all that little any more, but IM insignificant O anyone who would call that a crap show is out of their fucking mind. That’s one tight band, there, and if one was paying attention at all, one might have noticed that the crowd who was actually at the event seemed to like it rather a lot.
So kindly piss off.
I thought Springsteen did OK; he didn’t do Thunder Road, which sucks, and his voice wasn’t in top form, but for an old geezer, he belted it out. He is, and always has been, a 'helluva singer/songwriter.
Oh, and I like Bob Seger, too.
I enjoy Springsteen’s music and I have seen him live once. His shows typically run for three or more hours and he sings a lot of fan favorites and likes doing so. Good for him. His voice in concert is not very good, and it wasn’t this evening. His voice is much more expressive in the studio.
Bob Seger’s music is okay and I really like a few of his hits. But neither he nor Springsteen are ripping each other off, and Spartydog is not sufficiently with Springsteen’s large catalog to know what the heck he’s talking about. Early Springsteen sounded more like Southside Johnny and the Jukes, which Springsteen acknowledges. Later Springsteen is a direct descendant of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, which he also acknowledges. Seger has some of the same Guthrie style influence, but these guys are not copying each other. That isn’t just with respect to musical styles, but also lyrics.
That said, and no disrespect to Mr. Seger, who is busy making an honest living, but Springsteen is much more successful and much more influential. He has dozens of hits and other professionals singing his songs. Had Mr. Seger only done Hollywood Nights and Night Moves, I would fondly remember him. But he has nowhere near the range and lyricism of Springsteen.
Dude, do not disrespect little Steven. His friend Silvio will make you regret it. Somewhat ironic that more of the audience had seen Steven Van Zant before The Boss. I wonder if they recognized him if they didn’t know?
I guess I want to add one more thing for Spartydog’s benefit. Tunnel of Love and The River are masterpieces of rock and roll music. By the rules of art (not copyright), any artist is entitled to completely rip off another artist if it produces such a landmark piece. Springsteen has two of them. Even if Springsteen had ripped off Seger, and I am with those who grew up at that time and say he didn’t, but even if he did, Springsteen’s best music more than excuses it.
Darkness on the Edge of Town and Born to Run are also damn fine albums, but a a little too much of the slick comes off when compared to the better works.
Not a huge Springsteen fanatic here. But honest to shit, to decide he’s a Seger derivative is clearly off.
The show was what everyone expected, raucous rock and roll delivered with the energy they’ve always brought.
What’s the debate?
I’m going to find Hungry Heart on Youtube and remind myself what the fuss is about.
I’ve been to a half-dozen Springsteen shows, and have never been disappointed. The last one I went to was by far the worst … but Danny Federici had just died like three weeks prior, so I think I’ll cut him slack there. My friend who had never been to an E street show called it the best concert of his life.
Spartydog’s criticisms pretty much speak for themselves