According to Bruce Springsteen, he “had PTSD” after his first performance in the UK.
The Boss has recalled how “embarrassed” she was by the performance he and the E Street Band did on November 18, 1975, at the Hammersmith Odeon (now the Apollo), and he is commemorating the 50th anniversary of his first-ever appearance on British soul with a new documentary.
“After the show, I went to a party that was supposed to celebrate my triumph, but I felt I’d been terrible and so I was embarrassed to even go in,” he recalled in an interview with BBC2’s upcoming documentary, “When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain.”
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“I entered, stayed for a short while, couldn’t bear to be there, left, hurried back to the hotel, sat in my solitary room beneath a large black cloud, ate what I had, and went to bed.”
The “Born to Run” hitmaker acknowledged that the first Hammersmith performance caused him to suffer from PTSD.
Luckily, Springsteen performed there again a few days later, and this time it was much better.
It would be not until 1981 that he would return to the UK for ‘The River Tour’.
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The 75-year-old Springsteen also remembers his first visit to Newcastle with nostalgia.
“It was huge for us to go to Newcastle,” he remarked. All I knew was that the Animals were in Newcastle! I was, and still am, one of the greatest Animals fans.
The ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ hitmaker also revealed of his Brighton performance: “I remember it very, very well because it was seaside – we said, ‘Oh man, this is a little bit like Asbury Park.'”
The one-hour documentary, which will premiere in May, will include previously unreleased video and special appearances by Peter Gabriel, Stevie Van Zandt of the E Street Band, and Sting.
“This documentary chronicles a truly special relationship between an iconic American artist and the UK – and one who seems to inspire an unrivaled loyalty and passion from his fans,” stated filmmaker Mark Robinson of Wise Owl Films. In addition to being impacted by British musicians and songwriters, Bruce has also affected younger generations of them.
The Hammersmith Odeon performance and a brand-new edition of “Bruce Springsteen at the BBC,” which includes his appearances on TV series including “The Old Grey Whistle Test,” “Top of the Pops,” and BBC Four sessions, are among the many events fans may anticipate this evening.
“Bruce Springsteen is not only a worldwide music icon, but he’s an honorary Brit here in the UK – he’s become one of our own,” said Rachel Davies, commissioning editor for BBC Music. With a world-exclusive new interview and some insightful commentary from people who have been greatly influenced by him and his music, this video, which reveals more about his early trips to the UK, is sure to delight BBC viewers. With a brand-new collection of Bruce’s greatest hits and one of his all-time greatest live performances, we’re excited to celebrate him all night on BBC2.
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