Back in the 70’s when CB was super groovy and was digging Bruce Springsteen’s music he was a sponge for anything Bruce recorded. There were lots of rumors of unreleased songs, bootlegs, songs he gave others etc. It was a different time so information was a lot harder to come by. Springsteen wasn’t the mega guy he is now. I saw him in concert back then and he sang this cool song called ‘Fire’. It had a real Elvis feel. CB made like Columbo and found out that Bruce gave it to a guy named Robert Gordon. That was all I needed. I found the album and the song. Robert absolutely nailed the song and I became a fan of his music. It didn’t hurt that Link Wray was the guitarist. This is the version CB knows best. I wore it out.
Three other songs at this time that Bruce gave to his “Friends” were ‘Fever’ : Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. ‘Rendezvous’ : Greg Kihn and ‘Because The Night’: Patti Smith (Patti also gets a writing credit). All very well done and favorites. These are all versions I heard before Bruce recorded and released them. These were the first of his songs that I dug that he gave to other people. I also became a fan of all the artists. So check all four out below and hear from Bruce’s friends.
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Patti Smith’s version of “Because The Night” remains the classic. Beautiful sentimental piano intro and exciting refrains…
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I remember hearing her do it for the first time. Blown away. Patti makes good music.
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Great versions, CB.
I saw Robert Gordon in the late 70s, I think it was.
I wonder if he still performs.
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Yeah I think he’s still doing it. Music Enthusiast sent me a link for a summer festival with Robert on the bill. Was Link the guitar player on the gig you saw? Chris Spedding was with him when I caught his act.
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Hi. Can’t remember who was in the band.
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You didn’t know there was going to be a test 40 years later.
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Great songs, all of ’em. Nice one.
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I was big Springsteen guy back then.
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I can hear why you wore out your Robert Gordon version of “Fire”. Awesome. CB
Enjoyed the others as well just not as much.
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‘Fire’ was the first one for me. Edmunds did a Bruce cover also ‘From Small Things Big Things One Day Come’. Dave was the perfect guy for that tune same as Robert Gordon was the right guy for ‘Fire’. Link Wray didn’t hurt.
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Springsteen has to be one of the most covered songwriters, along with Dylan and those two guys from Liverpool. Manfred Mann’s version of “Blinded by the Light” is an early cover, and Tom Waits did one or two. I saw The Boss was in Cleveland in ’81, and Southside Johnny joined him on stage. What a moment!
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The Manfred version probably paid a few bills for Bruce at the time. He was pretty generous back then. Helping his colleagues out. Special guy. Southside and Bruce would be a treat and back in ’81 too boot. I like that Johnny’s style.
Have you been out doing the wilderness thing?
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You got it, CB. Just returned from the Divide at Montana-Idaho. Had to quit early for various reasons, but still had fun. Lots of sightseeing on the road, too, including many Indian sites. I’m anxious about your new film…will it be released soon?
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Sounds like that was right up my alley. Envious.
Still haven’t shot it Pete. Hope to go to camera in the spring. Various reasons for the delay. Par for the course. Thanks for asking.
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