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CNN Live Today
Springsteen Holds Free Concert in New Jersey
Aired July 30, 2002 - 10:35 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The new Springsteen album, it is out today. It is called "The Rising," and -- as it was released today. It is Springsteen's first collection of new material in seven years. Also, for Springsteen fans, it the first reunion in a long time with the E Street Band.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: That's right, but on this album, there is a bit of controversy to some because he's basically searching for hope in the ruins of September 11.
Our Jason Carroll joins us now from Asbury Park, New Jersey where Springsteen got his start, and he is going to explain that for us this morning -- hi, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Leon. How is it going? I have got to tell you, this is a very big day for the folks here in Asbury Park, New Jersey. You can see, some of them are lining up in front of a famous spot here in town, called the Stone Pony. They are waiting for an after party to begin, for a post- Springsteen concert. Kind of strange to be having an after party so early in the morning.
But things are happening here, and this is the way things go in Asbury Park, New Jersey. This morning, thousands of people came out here to the shore to hear Bruce Springsteen do what we does best, and that is sing. He sang some cuts from -- some classic cuts. He also sang one of the new cuts off of his brand-new CD called "The Rising." From what everyone out here tells me, it was just what they wanted to hear from Bruce Springsteen. One woman saying she felt as though Bruce was singing just to her. Of course, he was singing just to thousands of people who came out.
I have got a few of those people who are joining me right now. This one woman right here really caught my interest. Check out this shirt, Leon. This is an original shirt from -- turn around for me here -- 1984, '85, "Born in the U.S.A." This is an original shirt.
HARRIS: There you go.
CARROLL: Right, Leon? That is a dedicated fan, is it not?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love Bruce. He is -- apple pie, Chevrolet, and Bruce Springsteen, USA.
CARROLL: Apple pie and Chevrolet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And Bruce Springsteen. CARROLL: And Bruce Springsteen.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I believe that the song is about -- "The Rising," I think it relates to Asbury Park as well. I know that it has been referred to as far as the towers, and the rising of the United States and all of us, but I believe it relates to Asbury Park as well.
CARROLL: We are looking at some of the clips from his new video right now. Give me some of your thoughts as we look at the video and talk to us a little bit about what you think of him using 9/11 as a theme to sort of inspire him to do his music?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that's vintage Bruce. I was fortunate enough this morning to be able to watch the concert from inside the Stone Pony, where we used to be able to happen upon him years ago. And I felt as though my past and my present and my future were all colliding in one, and I think Bruce was trying to communicate that as well.
CARROLL: He is also out here trying to revitalize New Jersey, is he not? Especially this area, Asbury Park, which is typical Bruce. Coming out here, giving a pre-concert. Your thoughts about that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it is just a tremendous thing that he is doing for Asbury Park. My husband and I live right across the lake in Wanamassa, and just come here and see what is starting to happen as far as the new businesses coming into town. It's just a -- it's a great thing.
CARROLL: Here is my question. Cross-generational. Does he still have the reach to reach out to people of my generation, people from maybe the 70s, 80s. What do you think? Does he still have the reach?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I believe he does. Inside the Pony, I'm watching people from their 70s down to parents bringing their 10-year- olds in, and when "Glory Days" came on, the whole place went berserk. Everybody was -- just with one voice in appreciation.
CARROLL: Why do you think he is still able to do that. Why does he have the reach that other artists just don't seem to have?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because he is so youthful forever. He is forever young.
CARROLL: Just like you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I hope so, and thank you for that compliment. I hope the whole world could hear that. Thank you so much.
He's forever young, and he's good. He's a good, good man with a good heart, and he loves humanity, and that's why he's able to reach out to everybody. CARROLL: All right. Thanks very much. Thank you all for joining us this morning. Again, Springsteen out here giving a free concert for the masses. It is sort of just a preview of what's to come, Leon. He is actually about to embark on his nationwide tour with the E Street Band. That is going to be coming up. It is going to be a 46-city tour, and it begins on August 7. So you can imagine, just based on some of the enthusiasm that you heard out here today, number of people probably lining up to buy tickets for that one -- Leon.
HARRIS: OK. Good deal. Well, you know what? Actually, I got enthusiastic for the dry T-shirt contest you just had for us this morning, Jason. Thank you very much. Way to go, buddy. All right. Bruce Springsteen...
CARROLL: T-shirt again, you want to see that again? It's a classic.
HARRIS: Yes, why not? As a matter of fact, why not? Because as we go out, we are going to play some of that, some of the best of Bruce Springsteen here.
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