Just out of the recording studio after months of grueling sessions, Bruce and the E Street Band commenced an extensive North American tour in support of the Darkness on the Edge of Town album that wouldn't be released for another two weeks. The shows now included an intermission between two hour-long sets followed by encores. While shows in clubs and theaters weren't quite yet a thing of the past, many of the shows were now held in larger venues with more than 10,000 seats.

The setlist was heavy on new material as well as Born to Run standards, but also featured several songs that wouldn't be released until later, like "Because the Night", "Independence Day", "Point Blank", and "The Ties that Bind". The Darkness Tour also became known for Bruce's distinctive lead guitar work that was unlike anything he'd done before. "Prove It All Night" included an extensive guitar/piano intro that would grow longer and longer as the tour progressed. This along with intense versions of "Backstreets", "She's the One", "Because the Night" and many other songs - and also helped along by several famous live radio broadcasts - would make the Darkness Tour the most legendary of all tours among fans and possibly one of the best rock 'n' roll tours by any artist ever.

Roy Bittan: Piano
Clarence Clemons: Saxophone
Danny Federici: Organ
Bruce Springsteen: Vocals, guitar
Garry Tallent: Bass
Steve Van Zandt: Guitar
Max Weinberg: Drums