Complex Numbers

B minus 9 Days

November 17, 1974: Bruce Springsteen plays Charlottesville.

That's right, nearly 33 years ago, a pre-Born To Run Bruce played right here in my hometown, with an early incarnation of the E Street Band.

No, I wasn't there. I was eight. But as far as I've been able to tell, this was the only time Bruce played in C'ville. Perhaps if the John Paul Jones Arena had been built a couple years earlier, the Devils & Dust or Seeger Sessions tour could have taken place there... but no use crying over spilt milk.

The only description I've ever been able to find of that presumably memorable day in 1974 is right here:

http://www.greasylake.org/concert_record.php?s_tour=Early+E+Street+Band&tour_tit...

The "Jon Landau's famous quotation" to which that author refers was (something like) "I have seen the future of rock and roll, and its name is Bruce Springsteen."

Prophecy? Or self-fulfilling, as Landau went on to be Bruce's manager and producer? And does it matter?

I don't think so.

The venue where he played still stands, but I don't think it's ever seen a moment of greatness remotely approaching November 17, 1974 - not even if a certain local bartender named Dave Matthews ever played there, which I doubt.

First Church of Bruce: Sanctuary  (13+) For casual listeners, fans, fanatics and apostles of Bruce Springsteen! #1341587 by Robert Waltz

Sparks fly on E Street when the boy prophets walk it handsome and hot
All the little girls' souls grow weak when the man-child gives them a double shot
Them schoolboy pops pull out all the stops on a Friday night
The teenage tramps in skintight pants do the E Street dance and everything's all right
Well the kids down there are either dancing or hooked up in a scuffle
Dressed in snakeskin suits packed with Detroit muscle
They're doin' the E Street Shuffle