I spent 4 years in New Jersey in the mid 70’s, and witnessed Bruce Springsteen’s rise from local hero to international rock boss. He–like Dylan–is a modern day poet laureate, a wordsmith who paints vivid lyrical imagery..especially in his early work. Personally, I haven’t been a BIG fan since “Born in the USA.” But I remember wandering the boardwalk in Asbury Park in 1976–before they renovated it for gambling–and spying, on the rickety planks, a boarded-up shack with a sign that read “Madam Marie’s.” I laughed, realizing this was the spark for a line in Springsteen’s song “4th of July..Asbury Park (Sandy).” The line..”Did ya hear the cops finally busted Madam Marie..for telling fortunes better than they do.” I graduated college, and left New Jersey, the exact WEEK that “Darkness on the Edge of Town” was released–June 2, 1978. And this November..the album will be RE-RELEASED..in a massive 3 CD, 3 DVD collection. Included will be rare & previously unreleased songs, live recordings, the “making of” documentary, and much more. Get details here http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/?Index=11. Bruce once said..”Darkness was my samurai record..stripped to the frame, and ready to rumble.” It also reminds me of my long drive outta Jersey to California.
Gibson Guitar will introduce a limited edition guitar resembling this 1959 Les Paul that Don Felder used to write & record on the Eagles’ “Hotel California” album..including the title song, which features Don & Joe Walsh on one of the most famous solos of all time. Don sez..”It’s a phenomenal feeling to have written something that has become so recognized and well-received world-wide.” Amen…LOVE that fret work…and I’m telling Don that in the other pic from Jackson Rancheria a year or so ago.
