Bruce, who until now has remained silent since performing "American Skin (41 Shots)" in Atlanta, finally shoots back at his critics when at the first of 10 Madison Square Garden concerts, he comes out on stage and plays yet another new song, "Code of Silence", and later follows it with another rendition of "American Skin". Despite booing from parts of the audience, "American Skin" will be performed at all ten remaining shows of the tour.

The Reunion Tour, as fans have dubbed it, ends with a final show at Madison Square Garden. It's the longest show of the tour and includes a powerful version of "Lost in the Flood" for the first time since 1978, and ends with an emotional performance of "Blood Brothers", with the band members lined up on stage holding each other's hands. The last two shows of the stand are filmed with high-definition cameras.

Except for a couple of club performances Bruce is almost completely off the radar screen during the fall. On November 3 he performs at the first annual Light of Day benefit show supporting the Parkison's Foundation. He is on stage with Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers for more than an hour.

Bruce begins a new tradition by assembling a host of band members and friends for two holiday shows at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park. The shows feature the Max Weinberg 7 as the backing band and also work as a great showcase for Little Steven, Southside Johnny, Nils Lofgren, and Patti Scialfa, who each get a turn in the spotlight.

Rumors of a live release from the Reunion Tour had been circulating since before the tour even ended, and on this date the rumors become reality when the 2-CD set Live in New York City is released. Bruce himself celebrates the release by showing up at Jack's Music Store's midnight sale in Red Bank, NJ, signing copies of the album to everyone who asks. The live album is culled from the last two nights of the tour and is the soundtrack of a television special that will be shown a few days later.

Live in New York City, the television special, premieres on HBO. Apart from the East Berlin show in 1988, this is the first time a Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band show is shown on television.

On Memorial Day, Bruce jumps on stage with Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at the Stone Pony. The stage is set up outside the club.

Bruce performs on the Jersey Shore on at least six occasions, playing with Nils Lofgren, Clarence Clemons, Bruce Hornsby, John Eddie and Brian Kirk.

Following the September 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC, Bruce participates in a television special honoring the victims. He opens the show with an acoustic version of "My City of Ruins" backed by Little Steven, Clarence Clemons and Patti Scialfa.

Bruce participates in a host of benefit shows for the victims of September 11, including two shows for the Alliance of Neighbors of Monmouth County (one of which is broadcast live on local television), five Holiday Shows in Asbury Park with the Max Weinberg 7, the Holiday Express Show at the Continental Airlines Arena, and the annual Light of Day benefit.