Springsteen 12/09/1980

On most years I simply post the following on the anniversary of John Lennon's death on 12/8/1980, written in the Philly paper about Springsteen taking the stage the night after Lennon was killed (I've forgotten the writer's name):

The next day Miami Steve called the tour manager to see if the second night was supposed to be postponed. The answer was no. Steve was so upset he went to Springsteen shortly before the show saying that, "I felt really weird about going onstage, that I couldn't put it together. And he really just reminded of why we do what we do, and how important it was to go out that night in particular. I wish I could remember exactly what he said, like 'This is what John Lennon inspired us to do and now it's our job to do the same thing for these other people, that today it was Lennon and tomorrow it might be me, and if it is . . .' That's how he does his show, like it was his last. He lives every minute like it was his last. That's the way to live. It's really lucky to be close to him at moments like that."

The band took the stage, most of them wearing black. Springsteen went to the mike. "If it wasn't for John Lennon," he said, "a lot of us would be in some place much different tonight. It's a hard world that makes you live with a lot of things that are unlivable. And it's hard to come out here and play tonight, but there's nothing else to do."

I've seen people digging firebreaks to save their homes, and I've seen some desperate fist fights, and God knows, I've seen hundreds of rock & roll shows, but I have never seen a human being exert himself the way Springsteen did that night in Philly.

But today for the very first time I've heard the audio of his speaking, thanks to Tony Kornheiser's podcast HERE, starting at the 45:30 mark. I don't really know why he didn't play an actual Beatles song written by Lennon instead of Twist and Shout, but oh well.

UPDATE: another recording here if you dont wanna wade thru that podcast.