Roxy Night

Roxy Night

Often flagged by fans as the 'best gig Bruce & The E Street Band ever played', although perhaps this a judgment benefiting from the fact that, as with four other shows from the legendary Darkness Tour in 1978, it was broadcast on FM Radio (and so tapes and other formats have changed hands routinely ever since). Listening to this recording again today, one has to acknowledge that this contingency might just be correct! The sound for a start is superb and while rather awful versions of the same show are in circulation, a good quality replication of the original FM broadcast reveals a crystal clear presentation to the extent that it allows the listener today to experience what those who had tuned in to KMET FM Los Angeles, on the night of July 7th 1978, heard coming through their FM receiver. And it must be said that while perhaps the ambience of actually having been at the show is an experience one could never re-live, recordings of this quality are certainly the next best thing. But what else makes this gig such a heralded event amongst those in the know? First ever performance by ESB of Buddy Holly's 'Rave On', kicking off proceedings? 'Point Blank' debuted with alternate lyrics? Solo piano version of 'Independence Day'? That infamous intro to the second set 'Bootleggers Roll Your Tapes'? In answer to this question, perhaps all these things contributed to the legend now surrounding the Roxy show, but would anyone still be shouting about it if the show itself was lame, disappointing or routine. No, the real reason for the enormous esteem surrounding the concert given by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band on July 7th 1978 at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, is obvious to anyone who either attended, listened in or has heard a (decent) tape. And if you're not yet in that category, just slip disc one into your player. It'll be just as obvious to you ...