More about: Bruce Springsteen

Organised by Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt and John Hall, the ‘No Nukes Concerts’ held at Madison Square Garden were put on in response to the meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. To encourage ticket sales, the group added Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to the bill right at the last minute. What a superb decision that was. 

In previously unseen footage, Springsteen gave the performance of a lifetime and completely shook the room at The Garden. Until now, that experience lived on only in the minds of those there to witness it—and in long-hidden recordings. But in 2021, 42 years later, Bruce has decided to share it with the world. 

Recorded on the nights of 22 and 23 September 1979, Springsteen’s No Nukes performances showcased the revered musician at peak excellence. Opening with ‘Prove It All Night’ and ‘Badlands’ from the 1977 album Darkness on the Edge of Town, the husk in his voice and electricity in his performance are unshakeable. And, it’s that undeniable presence, both in his on-stage character and musicality, that has since earned Springsteen a spot on the legends list. 

As the concert progresses, Springsteen continues to shine with all the light that a frontman should. But, what becomes clear is how integral the E Street Band were to his success, particularly the late saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who Bruce leans on for support throughout the show. On stage, Clemons and Springsteen went together like the ebony and ivories of a piano and at the No Nukes shows, their camaraderie and artistic compatibility is at its most visible. 

When the pair perform joint musical breaks and erupt into a comical pre-rehearsed dance routine during a cover of ‘Devil With a Blue Dress’, they create a booming atmosphere that could entice even the most weary onto their feet. To see the magic that sparked between the two come to life again following Clemons’ untimely death in 2011 feels like reliving a fond family memory. And, while this newly-released film is a celebration of Springsteen himself, it drives it home that the E Street Band were 50% responsible for all of that success. 

Other highlights of the concert include performances of ‘Promised Land’ and ‘The River’. With their harmonica-doused introductions and lyrical integrity, Springsteen flaunts his grasp of songwriting and live emotional conveyance. His gravelly voice and powerful delivery during the two tracks encompass exactly why Bruce Springsteen songs resonate across the world, you believe every single word he says. No matter whether he’s singing autobiographical lyrics or his famous fictional stories, what Springsteen possesses is entirely believable angst, frustration and emotion. 

An iconic moment comes in the form of ‘Born To Run’; a track that has become synonymous with the rock legend. During the performance, the entire band comes together to show just how tight of an outfit they really are. A chiming piano, embracing saxophone solos, unfaltering percussion and Springsteen’s never-ending energy evoke an intoxicating reaction from the crowd that can be felt emanating through the screen. 

Every second of ‘The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts’ is filled with excitement, and as the show comes to its end, the crowd aren’t quite ready for it to finish and begin chanting for one more song. In true Springsteen style, he jokes with the audience, exclaiming “I can’t go on like this, I’m 30 years old, my heart’s starting to go on me! I can’t, I can’t!” But, of course, he does, and he still is, over 40 years later.

The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts film is out digitally now. Get it on Blu-Ray and DVD from 19 November here.

More about: Bruce Springsteen