It didn't matter that he was only a dot on the stage and that we had to watch him on the mega screens. It didn't even matter that the clutch on my car decided to go into meltdown as I arrived in London. (No, I didn't do a Basil FawIty but I did give it a good talking to and left it parked on a side street.) It didn't matter that I had to wait after the concert until 11.30pm for the RAC man to turn up and then another hour for the recovery vehicle. It didn't matter that the car and I went back to the Chilterns on a lorry and that I didn't get to bed until 2.00am. And I tried to think that it didn't matter that I faced a very large repair bill the next day . . .
Bruce Springsteen at the Hard Rock Calling Festival in Hyde Park on Sunday was like being at a fairground party with all your best friends (and cousins, in my case).
Bruce and the E Street Band could do no wrong. Even the press thought so, as you can see here and here. I haven't had such a good time at a rock concert for 25 years - and that was Bruce too.
A respectful nod in the direction of the Clash came in the form of a white-hot version of London Calling to open the show. Much appreciated by all the Joe Strummer fans in the audience. To close, Dancing in the Dark; inevitable perhaps, but none the less thrilling for all that. Almost too many highlights to list, although the Boss's rendition of an old Stephen Foster song, Hard Times Come Again No More will stay with me for a long time - into my dotage, probably.
In an otherwise sad week, and with my cousin due to have surgery two days after the concert, it was just what we needed to take us out of ourselves - to the place that only music can. And for the three hours that Bruce and the band were on stage, we were more than happy to be there.
Music can melt the worries of the world, can't it. Glad you could be there and feel the joy! I'm looking up summer concerts myself, gotta feel the love, and Cheryl Wheeler is coming to town and I love her varied style and songwriting.
Posted by: Teri and the cats of Furrydance | July 03, 2009 at 06:27 PM
Oh! How wonderful!! I bet that was magical! I'd like to have heard 'London Calling' - I bet that was white hot!
I've seen one of my screen idols this weeks too. Must be a good time for it! ;)
Posted by: Jay | July 03, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Now what is that remedy for e x t r e m e jealousy? It begins with L .......
Posted by: Friend In Transit | July 03, 2009 at 11:01 PM
More Hyde Park stories! Delighted you had such a wonderful time.
Posted by: colleen | July 04, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Love the sassy grown up style of your blog and our taste in writers coincides so will happily call by again for a good read.
Wendy
Posted by: Wendy R | July 04, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Thanks everyone - and I'm still singing and dancing (albeit in my head).
Welcome, Wendy: have recently discovered your wonderful blog too. Am just about to leave a comment there . . .
Posted by: 60 Going On 16 | July 05, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Music will do that for you -a great way to help deal with stress. Looks like a great concert!Hope your cousin's surgery went O.K.
Posted by: pam | July 05, 2009 at 03:33 PM