Jay has more enthusiasm than his father, who looks these days more and more like he’s just cashing the check. I understand that Max’s forearms are probably no more than shredded tendons under the skin at this point, but I thought Jay’s presence lent some needed “oomph” at the Asbury shows.

Would you want your money back if Patti wasn’t appearing onstage? Garry? Nope, didn’t think so – so how is it disrespectful if Max needs to be replaced and you’ve already bought your tickets? When I worked for Ticketron (back in the stone age), people would call the office demanding their money back if an opening band cancelled. What we explained to them was that they had bought a ticket to the act printed ON the ticket. What you get with Bruce is BS and the ESB. As Bruce defines it. Of course, your mileage may vary :)

That said, I KNEW “London Calling” would be great :)

What sparks the band (if they are in fact ‘sparked’ by Jay’s presence, which I dont really see) is his excitement at being there. Not because of his technical prowess. He’s 18; he can’t possibly be as good as his dad because he simply hasn’t played as long. I think of other sons-who-have-taken-over and while Jay isn’t Zak Starkey or Jason Bonham, if he played with them long enough he could probably be that good, but what I don’t see is a personality. Then again, if Jay Weinberg started interjecting his flavor into the songs, a lot more people would riot.

I also don’t like paying for someone’s on the job training. I paid $100 for a ticket to see the E Street Band. If Jay is going to play the second half of a show, people should be told about this BEFORE they buy their tickets. If I lived in Scandinavia and fought to buy a ticket and then later learned I was getting Jay and not Max, I would be livid. It’s disrespectful. It’s not like Pino Pallidino having to sub for a dead Entwistle (and even then people were given the choice to have their tickets refunded). It’s a matter of convenience.

I draw lines in the sand as to what I consider to be the E Street Band; others don’t, it’s their right. But it’s equally my right to say ‘no’.

If I had known that “stump the band” meant “practice it at the dress rehearsal” i would have looked at London Calling more favorably. Playing it off the cuff would have likely been terrible, but with adequate rehearsal, yeah, they nailed it.

I think it’s anything BUT disrespectful to request a cover – they’re a rock band; they should be able to play something fun and classic. Like “I Wanna Be Sedated” and “Wild Thing” – the way they did the other night!

So, my sign will be “London Calling” :) or Human Touch

I feel pretty strongly about this.

The Clash had a hard time playing a good version of “London Calling” because of the syncopation, so I would not suggest it for anyone else. But that said, I decided that I would not be hypocritical, and I am bringing a sign for a Springsteen song. I think it is somewhat disrespectful to request a cover – although if the horns were there, we’d bring a billboard for “Sweet Soul Music”.

(Do I contradict myself? Well, then, I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes)