Bruce is also doing his part to promote the New Jersey independent music scene and a large stage was set up in the boardwalk area at Giants Stadium. Every night before the Bruce shows, talented bands from New Jersey — and many long-time Springsteen friends and associates — had the opportunity to play for his audience. Opening night featured Boccigalupe and The Badboys, an energetic group from Asbury Park. This band has everything, sizzling guitars, strong bass lines, powerful percussion, dazzling horns and cool keys provided by Bocci on the B3 organ. The band is tight and captured the crowd's attention with their first notes. Another well-respected shore band, Jobonanno and the Godsons of Soul, also graced the boardwalk stage performing covers and songs from their new CD, Turn Up the Heat. A diversity of music was featured over the course of seven nights including the crowd pleasing Matt Witte's New Blood Revival and No Discipline, a reggae ensemble.

Fans gathered at the Medowlands Arena during opening night of the Rising Tour!

These shows were a great opportunity for independent artists to showcase their music. There are many talented bands in New Jersey and Springsteen is letting his fans know about other great groups from his home state.

A similar scene is seen at Giants Stadium on opening night of The Summer Tour.

As for the Bruce concerts, our on-the-scene reporter Pat Cacioppo was at all the shows, and she had the following to say about the band's performance.

What more can be said about Bruce Springsteen that hasn't already been said over his 30 year career? Working-class hero, consummate performer, handsome, charismatic, poet of his generation, passionate and true... been there, said that.

But think of this... after 30 years all of the above can still be said... Bruce is well, still "the boss" and the E-Street Band his humble & dedicated employees.

Having attended all seven nights of the July leg of the Giants Stadium shows in New Jersey, (and personally achieving the "seeing Bruce over 50 times" milestone), in all honesty I can say very few, if any, can match his live energy. Where does it come from??? Only the higher powers know. But night after night it's there and it never ceases to amaze.

Multiple generations from the same family, all sitting together, all knowing every song... it's a wonderful thing to witness.

On a few of the nights the rains came with reckless abandon, as summer rains do. The crowd fed off of it, and so did Bruce — it put no "damper" on the situation, (no pun intended!!) — it was like being baptized in the church of rock and roll!!!

Merchants on Cookman Avenue acknowledge Bruce's efforts
in returning the city to its glory days.

The majority reveled in 'Born to Run' and 'Rosalita' ('Rosalita' every night!!!) And then for the faithful, the rare gems — 'Meeting Across the River', 'Something in the Night', 'Streets of Fire', 'Downbound Train', 'Adam Raised a Cain', 'Spirits in the Night' (hi mad dog!!!). I mean what more can one ask for?? The only thing that could disappoint is losing some of the pure sweetness of the E Street Band's sound to the vast cauldron that is Giants Stadium... but that could easily be dealt with.

The only thing left to say is that Bruce is still the greatest, bring on August and "let it rain, let it rain, let it rain."

Come on, rise up - Asbury Park is really rising from the ashes!

Related Links: For more information on Bruce Springsteen and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Bruce Springsteen | Boccigalupe | Jobonanno | Asbury Park C.O.C. | AsburyPark.net | FoodBank of NJ

Originally Published: 07/27/2003 on Kweevak.com