As a life-long Springsteen fan,
I have many stories to tell.
How about you?
I'm collecting stories from fans for my next book.
Here's how to contribute:
1. Write or record an audio or video of your story
2. Click the button to fill out the submission form, and upload your files
Submission deadline: April 1, 2025
I have many stories to tell.
How about you?
I'm collecting stories from fans for my next book.
Here's how to contribute:
1. Write or record an audio or video of your story
2. Click the button to fill out the submission form, and upload your files
Submission deadline: April 1, 2025
OR
Email your name, story and photos (if you have them) to [email protected]
What kinds of stories are we looking for?
Did you meet him in person?
Did you see him perform at a bar or club unexpectedly? Where? When?
Have you formed a deeper connection with friends or family because of Springsteen?
What does Bruce and his music mean to you?
How has he touched your life?
Scroll down to read a few sample stories!
The Fast Lane, 1981
"I got a hundred pretty women knockin' down my door
And folks wanna kiss me I ain't even seen before"
- Bruce Springsteen, I Ain't Got You
I grew up in Freehold, NJ, in the 60’s and 70’s, so when Bruce Springsteen hit the covers of both Time and Newsweek in October, 1975, I was 14 years old. It was big news around town. I was already a fan; Bruce was a local legend, and he was hot! I had posters plastered all over my bedroom walls, I read and saved every newspaper article I could find, and I listened to Born to Run hundreds of times. Little did I know, back then, the impact Bruce would have on my life, family, and friendships.
In the early 80's, Bruce played at the local bars quite frequently, especially the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, about 30 minutes from my house. I became a regular, because we never knew when “Bruce Might Show Up!” In the summer of 1979 I had just turned 18, and was at the Stone Pony with some friends, one of whom resembled Bruce just enough to make people wonder if it was him. But on this night, a random stranger in the bar said, “That’s not Bruce, Bruce is at the Fast Lane.” I took one look at my friend, Terry, and we RAN the two blocks to the Fast Lane to see if this guy was telling the truth.
It was 1:00 AM, so when we walked into the bar, it was practically empty, and Bruce was easy to spot. He was sitting at the bar, wearing jeans, a leather jacket, and black boots, drinking a beer. The face plastered all over my walls was just a few feet away from me, in the flesh. I was star-struck, and had no idea what to do or say. My brain was on overload. Should I approach him? Gawk at him from a distance? Jump on his lap? Run over and give him a hug? Ask for his autograph? This was way before cell phones, and way before selfies, so that wasn’t an option. I didn’t have much time to think about what to do, because the next thing I knew, he was on his feet heading in my direction. For a split second, I thought he was heading for me to talk to ME, but then I realized he was heading for the door, which was behind me.
The only thing between him and the exit was me. This was my chance. Without even thinking, I blurted it out. “Can I have a kiss?” He replied, “Sure.” When he leaned down towards me, I expected a REAL kiss, on the mouth, along with a deep embrace. But then at the last second, he turned his head and presented his cheek covered in stubble. I gave him a peck, and before I knew it, he was gone.
The rest of the night I was on cloud 9. I could not believe I had met and KISSED The Boss!! My friends were in disbelief that I had the nerve to ask Bruce Springsteen for a kiss. It turned out this night was the first in a series of life-long serendipitous experiences connected to Bruce. More to come!
This photo was taken in front of the Fast Lane one week after the first kiss.
"I got a hundred pretty women knockin' down my door
And folks wanna kiss me I ain't even seen before"
- Bruce Springsteen, I Ain't Got You
I grew up in Freehold, NJ, in the 60’s and 70’s, so when Bruce Springsteen hit the covers of both Time and Newsweek in October, 1975, I was 14 years old. It was big news around town. I was already a fan; Bruce was a local legend, and he was hot! I had posters plastered all over my bedroom walls, I read and saved every newspaper article I could find, and I listened to Born to Run hundreds of times. Little did I know, back then, the impact Bruce would have on my life, family, and friendships.
In the early 80's, Bruce played at the local bars quite frequently, especially the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, about 30 minutes from my house. I became a regular, because we never knew when “Bruce Might Show Up!” In the summer of 1979 I had just turned 18, and was at the Stone Pony with some friends, one of whom resembled Bruce just enough to make people wonder if it was him. But on this night, a random stranger in the bar said, “That’s not Bruce, Bruce is at the Fast Lane.” I took one look at my friend, Terry, and we RAN the two blocks to the Fast Lane to see if this guy was telling the truth.
It was 1:00 AM, so when we walked into the bar, it was practically empty, and Bruce was easy to spot. He was sitting at the bar, wearing jeans, a leather jacket, and black boots, drinking a beer. The face plastered all over my walls was just a few feet away from me, in the flesh. I was star-struck, and had no idea what to do or say. My brain was on overload. Should I approach him? Gawk at him from a distance? Jump on his lap? Run over and give him a hug? Ask for his autograph? This was way before cell phones, and way before selfies, so that wasn’t an option. I didn’t have much time to think about what to do, because the next thing I knew, he was on his feet heading in my direction. For a split second, I thought he was heading for me to talk to ME, but then I realized he was heading for the door, which was behind me.
The only thing between him and the exit was me. This was my chance. Without even thinking, I blurted it out. “Can I have a kiss?” He replied, “Sure.” When he leaned down towards me, I expected a REAL kiss, on the mouth, along with a deep embrace. But then at the last second, he turned his head and presented his cheek covered in stubble. I gave him a peck, and before I knew it, he was gone.
The rest of the night I was on cloud 9. I could not believe I had met and KISSED The Boss!! My friends were in disbelief that I had the nerve to ask Bruce Springsteen for a kiss. It turned out this night was the first in a series of life-long serendipitous experiences connected to Bruce. More to come!
This photo was taken in front of the Fast Lane one week after the first kiss.
Big Man's West: Red Bank New Jersey, Summer, 1982
1981, Clarence “Big Man” Clemons, sax player for the E Street Band, opened a nightclub in Red Bank, New Jersey called Big Man’s West.
The club was scheduled to open on July 11, 1981, with a big kick-off bash where Clarence and the Red Bank Rockers were scheduled to appear. Of course, rumor had it that “Bruce might show up” along with the E Street Band and other special guests. Tickets were impossible to come by. So, I went to Red Bank with my best friend, Ellen early in the day to check out the scene.
The front bar served food and drinks, and the stage was in the bar area. We ordered lunch, said to each other, “We’re not leaving. Let’s just hang out after lunch. We’re in!” No tickets, no lines, no problem. Now, we just had to wait around for a few hours until the party got started. Thirty minutes later, our hopes were crushed. A guy walked into the bar holding a clipboard, and made an announcement. “We’ll be closing soon for a private event, so if your name isn’t on this list, you need to leave.”
We were so close! If we left, we’d never get back in. We came up with a plan. We paid the bill, and casually walked into the ladies room, located off the hallway that led to the stage area. All we had to do now was hide in the ladies room for four hours without getting caught. When they opened the doors to let everyone inside, we’d just walk out of the ladies room and blend in with the crowd.
At around 6:30, we heard a lot of commotion in the hallway. It was time to plan our exit strategy. If we walked out too soon, we might get caught. But if we waited too long, we wouldn’t get a good spot.
We heard a lot of hustle and bustle, then a lot more voices, so we knew they had opened the doors. We counted to ten, and then opened the door. We walked into the hallway in front of the crowd, and headed towards the back room. A few seconds later, we were standing right up against the stage, front and center. Our persistence paid off.
We still weren’t sure if Bruce would show up, but if he did, we were in the best position possible! Soon enough, the lights went down, and Clarence came on stage to greet the crowd. And then, Bruce and the E Street Band filled the stage, and we we treated to one of the best nights of rock-n-roll ever!
The music kept coming. That night, the house band Clarence Clemens and the Red Bank Rockers were joined on stage by Springsteen and Gary US Bonds for a set that included Ramrod, Around and Around, Summertime Blues, You Can't Sit Down, and Cadillac Ranch. I will never forget the thrill of seeing Bruce so up close. It was a once in a lifetime thing, or so I thought.
1981, Clarence “Big Man” Clemons, sax player for the E Street Band, opened a nightclub in Red Bank, New Jersey called Big Man’s West.
The club was scheduled to open on July 11, 1981, with a big kick-off bash where Clarence and the Red Bank Rockers were scheduled to appear. Of course, rumor had it that “Bruce might show up” along with the E Street Band and other special guests. Tickets were impossible to come by. So, I went to Red Bank with my best friend, Ellen early in the day to check out the scene.
The front bar served food and drinks, and the stage was in the bar area. We ordered lunch, said to each other, “We’re not leaving. Let’s just hang out after lunch. We’re in!” No tickets, no lines, no problem. Now, we just had to wait around for a few hours until the party got started. Thirty minutes later, our hopes were crushed. A guy walked into the bar holding a clipboard, and made an announcement. “We’ll be closing soon for a private event, so if your name isn’t on this list, you need to leave.”
We were so close! If we left, we’d never get back in. We came up with a plan. We paid the bill, and casually walked into the ladies room, located off the hallway that led to the stage area. All we had to do now was hide in the ladies room for four hours without getting caught. When they opened the doors to let everyone inside, we’d just walk out of the ladies room and blend in with the crowd.
At around 6:30, we heard a lot of commotion in the hallway. It was time to plan our exit strategy. If we walked out too soon, we might get caught. But if we waited too long, we wouldn’t get a good spot.
We heard a lot of hustle and bustle, then a lot more voices, so we knew they had opened the doors. We counted to ten, and then opened the door. We walked into the hallway in front of the crowd, and headed towards the back room. A few seconds later, we were standing right up against the stage, front and center. Our persistence paid off.
We still weren’t sure if Bruce would show up, but if he did, we were in the best position possible! Soon enough, the lights went down, and Clarence came on stage to greet the crowd. And then, Bruce and the E Street Band filled the stage, and we we treated to one of the best nights of rock-n-roll ever!
The music kept coming. That night, the house band Clarence Clemens and the Red Bank Rockers were joined on stage by Springsteen and Gary US Bonds for a set that included Ramrod, Around and Around, Summertime Blues, You Can't Sit Down, and Cadillac Ranch. I will never forget the thrill of seeing Bruce so up close. It was a once in a lifetime thing, or so I thought.