In an article that's really about a local band, a Boulder newspaper reports that Bruce has studio time booked at Brendan O'Brien's Southern Track studio for late summer. The information appears at the end of the article where the Boulder-based band Rose Hill's Drive is interviewed about their plans to record at the same studio in August. The article says that they can't spend too much time since Bruce Springsteen is scheduled to use the studio "later in the summer". Go read it yourself. Read more

   

Wembley Arena in London turns 70 years old. As one of the most famous arenas in the world it has hosted shows by virtually everybody who's anybody in the music biz, including Bruce Springsteen. Bruce first played there in 1981 doing a five-show stand that has since reached legendary status among British fans. In 1992 he did another five-show stand during the early part of the Human Touch/Lucky Town tour, and finally in 2002 he was back for a single date on the Rising Tour. You can read more about Bruce's and other artists' Wembley connections in an official anniversary brochure filled with stories and photos. Order that and other Wembley Arena souvenirs by sending in this order form (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader). Read more

   

As mentioned before on these pages, Gary US Bonds is about to release his first album of new material in 20 years. The new album is scheduled for release on June 1st and is called Back In 20. It features guest appearances by Southside Johnny, Dickey Betts, Phoebe Snow and, yes, Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen provides his distinctive guitar work and background vocals on the album's opening track and first single, "Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks." Music samples from the album, as well as all of the details, can be found on Gary's official website, www.garyusbonds.com. The site is also accepting orders for the CD, and those who buy now can get their CD personally autographed by Gary U.S. Bonds. Read more

   

Completists and fans of Jesse Malin may want to check out a new release by the New York-based rocker. The so-called official bootleg is called Messed Up Here Tonight and contains 13 live and studio recordings. One of them is a version of Malin's song "Wendy" with our own Bruce Springsteen featured in the background. We don't have any info on when the song was recorded, but it could have been at one of the 2003 holiday shows. Also on the album is Jesse Malin's acoustic version of "Hungry Heart" that was previously released on an album of Bruce covers compiled by Uncut magazine. The new Jesse Malin album can be bought here. Read more

   

This is one of the more peculiar rumors we have heard in a while. According to the New York Daily News, Bruce is planning to do a free concert on September 2, the same day President Bush is to address the Republican National Convention. According to the rumor, Bruce hopes to, "counterprogramme the message the Republicans will be broadcasting". To us, this sounds like an pretty far-fetched rumor, and we won't believe it till we see it. Read more

   

While Bruce appears to have withdrawn from the public eye, his wife Patti Scialfa will be very much visible next month as her new album hits the shelves. She will make numerous television appearances including both Letterman and Conan O'Brien. You can read all about it and her full schedule on the new official Patti Scialfa website at www.pattiscialfa.net. Read more

   

Phantom Danny Federici of the E Street Band has released his second solo album. The album is called Sweet and just like its predecessor, Flemington, it consists of jazzy and funky instrumentals, including eight by Danny himself and a cover of "Like a Rolling Stone". You can only get the album through Backstreets. Read more

   

Rumor has it that Bruce has lent a hand to Jerry Lee Lewis in the studio. The 68-year-old veteran is recording an album in Nashville, and according to Los Angeles Times, Bruce was seen there along with a handful of other rock stars. Time will show if he did other than paying a courtesy visit. Read more

   

One of the founder's of the Asbury Park music scene, Bill Chinnock, has just released his 11th album. The album is called Livin' in the Promised Land and is partly a return to his blues roots and according to Bill himself "a celebration of American music". Bill Chinnock should be known to Springsteen fans for his role in early Asbury Park music history. Before they knew Bruce, people like Vini Lopez, Danny Federici and Garry Tallent were in Bill Chinnock's band. Read more about his album on www.billchinnock.com. Read more

   

Just like the two previous years the Stone Pony hosted the event, which was for parents and school staff only. Bruce was backed by Bobby Bandiera's band and joined by Patti, who also did one of her own new songs. The setlist consisted of mostlyl cover songs, but Bruce also found room for some of his own stuff like "From Small Things", "Hungry Heart", "Darlington County" and "Glory Days". See the full setlist. Read more