Bruce Springsteen concert at Salem State College in Salem, US
Sat, 23 Nov 1974

The best live concert I have been to. I’ve seen the Stones in Lynn, MA(1966) also Boston Garden the night they got arrested in RI. I’m 73 but have been fortunate to attend many concerts. Before Bruce blew me away that Saturday night in 74, I thought the best live concert I ever saw was actually Jethro Tull at Boston Garden just after they released “Thick as a Brick” was released.
But nothing compared to the show that Bruce and the E Street Band put on that night. His music was played on WBCN in Boston so I had heard a few of his songs but really wasn’t familiar with him. They had posters up at the school and I felt I couldn’t go wrong for 3 bucks. There was something special when they hit their first note. You could feel the excitement from the get go. The venue was an auditorium with theater type seating. Withi a few songs people were standing on the arm rests and were mesmerized by the most unique rock and roll I had ever heard. I was telling everyone I knew about this band no one ever heard of. By June of 1975 he was on the cover of Time and Newsweek and everyone knew who they were. Still the best live act that I have ever witnessed and I saw him four more times after that. Everyone has their own taste but I am so thankful I had opportunity to see Bruce 49 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.
Ben Keenan