Even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark…

I started my last article on my experience at a Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band concert with this:




“You can’t start a fire
Worrying ’bout your little world falling apart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark”

Keeping with tradition, I will again start with these lines. 

Concert number two. That’s right, this was my second concert, The American Beauty Tour at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA April 22, 2014.

Again, I went with my sister, a die-hard Bruce fan and again, we had floor “seats”.  Not in the pit this time, which was a bit disappointing. We did have the unique opportunity of standing on the floor for the entire concert. About 100 feet from stage. (this is important)

The concert was everything we expected. Great energy from Bruce and the E Street Band. Amazing solo guitar riffs from Tom Morello.

We had made a sign with high hopes that he would see them. But given that we were so far away, we decide not to hold them up and save them for the Hershey concert. He would never see them. As a matter of fact, most of the concert was spent looking at the Jumbo-trons. 

As the first chords of “Dancing In the Dark” began, we decide to hold up the sign. Then it happened…Bruce made eye contact. I pointed to me? He waved us on. What happened next was two women on a mission. We pushed through security with the support of the audience. “He called them” and off we went.

My sister sang with him, I danced with Cindy Mizelle. And yes, Jake Clemons, it IS us! To cap off this off, we have this all documented on You Tube. (see link)

http://youtu.be/i3fVNvq4Mn4

To say we felt like old friends would be an understatement. The band, Bruce, the crowd made us feel like we were invited to the party. The feeling was amazing.

People have asked us how we did it. To tell you the truth I KNEW we were going on stage since the last concert. How was it going to happen, not sure, but I put it out there and voila, there we were.

And no, this is not the end. We called into E Street Radio on Sirius the next day and they interviewed us. 

Less than 2 weeks until Hershey. I have to get my intentions set and see what we can manifest for this time.

~Sharon Pingitore & Susan Dillon

pictures courtesy: David Miller

You Tube courtesy: shitfacedlucha

I am republishing this, but stay tuned for the next installment happening today!



previously published in Rebelle Society


“You can’t start a fire
Worrying ’bout your little world falling apart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark”

Let me prefice by saying I have not been to a concert in… well… a very long time. A concert. In a stadium. With more than 1,000 people. Listening to a legend. I am not a Bruce Springsteen fanatic, but I do dig his art. I know a few songs and can hum a few lyrics. One of the reasons I went was because a friend of mine, Cindy Mizelle, is in the band this tour.

Cindy is a gifted vocalist and I was intrigued to see her with E Street. She has done work with, most notably, the late Luther Vandross.

(Bruce, if you’re reading this… keep her!)

I went with my sister & her husband , Professional Bruce-Concert-Goers. It was helpful to be guided by such experts. We had “seats” in the pit, meaning we stood for the whole concert. Note: these are the best “seats.”

The band is winding down its world-wide Wrecking Ball tour with a stop at the newly constructed Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford. Bruce and the band originate from New Jersey, so it was sort of a home-coming.

The audience consisted of die hard fans, some coming from Europe, just to see this man. The ages ran the gamet. But it was clear. The Boss was home, on his own turf and Jersey was rockin’.The weather was perfect. The band entered the stage to Frank Sinatra’s Summer Wind, the camera man was singing along. And the concert began. Over three hours of good ole’ rock and roll.

The crowd was bopping, singing and enjoying every moment. Clearly most of the people in attendance had been to his concerts before.

Some highlights: Jake Clemons, the late Clarence Clemons’ nephew did a fine job with the sax on Night. You could almost hear Clarence come through.

Max Weinberg, probably the unsung hero in the band, gave a performance from deep within his soul.

Waiting on a Sunny Day and the beat of the drum, I swear, I think you could hear it clear to NYC.

Cindy’s duet with Bruce in Shackled and Drawn was strong and powerful.

Gary U.S. Bonds, the guest performer, did a get up and dance rendition of Jole Blon.

Roy Bittan and his signature Incident on 57th Street intro, another powerful moment.

I can’t forget Steve Van Zandt and the always crowd pleasing Ramrod.

The most poignant song in the concert was, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, a tribute to the big man. A slide show was on the screen of Clarence Clemons as Bruce stood and said, “This is the important part…” and let the audience have their moment. I must admit, I teared up. 


“The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.” ~ Bruce


Bruce, you and E Street gave a performance that bands half your age should strive for. You gave your blood, sweat and tears, and for that I am grateful. You have made another “Bruuuuuuce” fan for life.

Look for me in the audience soon.

*****


{“This is the important part.”}