Last night a few hundred lucky contest winners and drop-liners witnessed what must be a first in E Street Band history: toward the end of the show Clarence played a bagpipe intro to "Into the Fire", allegedly to great effect. Other than that the show featured a bunch of songs not played the previous night, including "American Skin", "Tenth Avenue" and the full-band "Born in the USA". "The Rising" both opened and closed the show, apparently because it was being filmed for future use. Read more

   

Yesterday a small crowd of VH1 executives and other industry people witnessed the live world premiere of several songs from the new album. A total of nine songs from The Rising were performed, which only left room for three "oldies": "Darkness on the Edge of Town", "Two Hearts" and "The Promised Land". Read more

   

According to Backstreets today will see the first dress rehearsal prior to the Today Show next Tuesday. The show will take place at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, and the audience will be made up of industry people, plus possibly a limited number of fans. In return, tomorrow's rehearsal show, which starts at 2 PM, will be for real fans who have won their tickets in radio contests. Meanwhile, Bruce and the band continue the private rehearsals. Most of the new album has been practiced along with such classics as "Land of Hope and Dreams", "Glory Days", "Prove It All Night", "Born to Run", "Thunder Road", and a full band "Born in the USA". Read more

   

On August 1 and 2, two days after the release of The Rising and the big Today show concert, Bruce will make his 5th and 6th appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman as the musical guest. Read more

   

KLOS Los Angeles reports that Bruce will grace the cover of next week's Rolling Stone. This will be Bruce's first Rolling Stone cover since 1992. Read more

   

It's been rumored for a couple of days. Now it's official. According to MTV's site, Bruce and the E Street Band will perform at the annual MTV Video Music Awards. The show will take place on August 29. Read more

   

A list of shows that supposedly constitute the short European tour in October is circulating on the web. The list looks as follows: 14 Oct: Parijs; Palais Omnisports Bercy, France 16 Oct: Barcelona, Palau Sant Jordy, Spain 18 Oct: Bologna, Italy 20 Oct: Munich, Germany 22 Oct: Stockholm, Globe Arena, Sweden 24 Oct: Arnhem, Gelredome, Netherlands 27 Oct: London, Earls Court, UK These shows, except maybe for Paris and Arnhem, which seem a bit more certain, are still only rumors. Hopefully we will have a confirmation soon. Read more

   

You won't even have time to listen to your new CD on July 30, because on that day Bruce will be all over your television screen, at least if you live in America. Most recently it has been leaked that Bruce was interviewed for Nightline. The interview will be aired on that very night at 11:35 PM. It will be split in two 30-minute segments with the second one following at 12:05 AM. On the same day 95.5 in New York City will be simulcasting the July 30th, Today Show on their station. The same station also world premiered Mary's Place yesterday morning. Read more

   

It should be as good as certain: October 14 is the day that French and other European fans should reserve in their calendars when Paris gets the honor of being the opening city for the short European tour. Omnisport des Bercy is the likely arena for the event. Read more

   

If everything goes well Bruce can be joined in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by his trusted E Street Band next year. The nominating committee is asking voters to choose two from the following eight artists: Abba, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, the Dave Clark 5, the E Street Band, the MC5, the Righteous Brothers, the Patti Smith Group, and ZZ Top. When Bruce was inducted, there was some controversy among fans regarding whether the band ought to be inducted at the same time as Bruce himself. Now it looks like it could be reality Read more