Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, John Fogerty, Patti Scialfa, Jackson Browne, Ed Vedder

Ed's participation w/Bruce & The E Street Band: No Surrender, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Betterman
All the artists: (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding, People Have the Power

Having been born in New Jersey, it is hard to look forward to anything more than seeing Bruce Springsteen live and up close in the Smokestack state itself at the Swamp, otherwise known as the Continental Airlines Arena. After The Boss came out during the opening sets of his wife, Patti Scialfa, as well as Jackson Browne (Running on Empty!), I knew the old man had some tricks up his sleeve for this last minute show, which wasn't announced until one week before.

Bruce opened up his set with a strong trio of Born in the USA, Badlands, and Lonesome Day. Then he said he was bring out a friend of his and since John Fogerty was also on the bill at some point, I figured it had to be him, although it was so early in the show. But..."Welcome Eddie Vedder!" was what Bruce let out. Having Pearl Jam and Springsteen at the top of my all-time favorites, this was something I could not believe I was seeing. Eddie came out a bit nervous it seemed, but didn't back down to Bruce's No Surrender and was awesome in Darkness on the Edge of Town. After that song, Bruce mentioned something to Eddie and Eddie made his way to the mike. "Hello New Jersey," he said. "Bruce wants me to sing a song. And he's The Boss and I'm The Employee." With that, the notes of Better Man started playing from the 11-member set of the E-Street band, including Roy Bittan on piano. We're talkin' the works here. Eddie started the song and Bruce took the second verse with full steam. When the song really reached it's peak, Clarence Clemons jumped in and went nuts on the saxophone as Eddie and Bruce were going back and forth on guitar for at least four minutes. It was intense, crazy, and awesome. The arena went insane. The song finished and Vedder left the stage to roars of "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!" It was an unforgettable moment for any fans of either group.

Eddie came back out for the encores of "What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding" and "People Have the Power" to cap a legendary night. While everyone thought this show was going to be all about politics, it was the music that carried the message on this night.

Brian
Philadelphia

In New Jersey there is a little known requirement that all New Jersey natives must attend one (1) Bruce Springsteen concert every four (4) years. Therefore, fresh off of a trip to see PJ in Boston two (2) weeks ago and again over the weekend in Florida, I though seeing Bruce on Thursday night would be a good way to wrap up my VFC concert experiences and fulfill my ‘Bruce quota’. Plus, I would be lying if I didn’t say that I was hoping that Ed would make a surprise appearance.

After the Boston and FL shows I was thinking to myself that it doesn’t get any better, I got to add two (2) more PJ shows to my resume (now 12 in all) and the boys totally brought down the house in FL.

Well, Thursday night turned out to be the icing on the cake, as I got to see my two favorite performers [Ed 1st, Bruce 2nd – (sorry boss) ] share the stage together live and in person!!

The set list was awesome - No Surrender, Darkness on the Edge of Town and Betterman! (But I am clearly biased, they could have played anything and I would have said that it was awesome.) Ed sounded great, nailed all of his versus and seemed a little looser than he normally does at PJ shows. He even managed to work in a little joke as an introduction to Betterman – he walked up to the mike in that reserved / low-key Ed way and says, “Bruce asked me to play this one tonight because he’s the boss and I’m the employee.” Nice!

Anyhow, thanks to Ed and the Boss for fulfilling one of my all time dreams!!!

Kevin J. Savage
Hawthorne, NJ

Unbelievable. Bruce said he had a friend he wanted to bring out and Eddie walked on stage. The crowd went crazy. No Surrender and Darkness on the Edge of Town were unbelievable, but Betterman was definitely the highlight. Ed took the mic and said something like - "Bruce asked me to sing this song with him, and since he's the Boss and I'm just an employee, we're gonna do it." Then the E Street Band broke into Betterman, with Ed and Bruce trading verses. Clarence Clemmons played a sax solo with the whole band jamming in the background. It was really one of the greatest moments I've ever seen at a concert. The all-Bruce crowd was into it, even chanting Eddie's name while he left the stage.

Eddie joined Bruce Springsteen onstage last night at the Meadowlands Arena. They duetted on No Surrender and Darkness On The Edge Of Town, as well as on Better Man! It was really interesting to hear the E Street take on the song... Prof. Roy Bittan played a piano intro, and Clarence Clemons blasted a great solo during the song as well. Eddie looked like he was having a great time, as did the rest of the band. Ed also came out for the finale -- along with John Fogerty and Jackson Browne -- for What's So Funny ('Bout Peace Love & Understanding) and Patti Smith's "People Have The Power (which I remember Ed backing Patti on at a Nader benefit, that seems like a looong time ago...).

The crowd was really into Ed, and sang along, loudly, with the beginning of Better Man. A great night.

- Brian

Fellow Jammers,
I could have only fantasized what I witnessed at The Meadowlands. I went to 2 VFC shows featuring Bruce Springsteen including the one in Philly (a tough choice over the Reading show, I must say). The Meadowlands show got off to a flying start with Springsteen dueting in Jackson Browne's set, doing Running on Empty. Then 4 songs into his own set, Bruce introduces "a friend who was with us in Washington the other night, Eddie Vedder!" The place erupted in anticipation of what was to follow. The E Street Band tore into No Surrender, which is the song that Kerry makes many of his entrances with. Ed took the second verse and traded lines with Bruce during the 3rd verse and sounded GREAT! Chants of Ed-die, Ed-die filled the arena, you would've thought it was a PJ show.

Ed stayed on stage for Darkness on the Edge of Town and again took the 2nd verse and split the last one. At that point I thought the guest slot might end, but then Ed steps to the mike and says, "Bruce is the Boss, and tonight I'm the employee...the Boss wants to hear one of my songs so here goes..." The opening guitar riff of Better Man was taken over by a huge roar from the crowd. Then with turnabout being fairplay, Springsteen sang the 2nd verse of Betterman (quite well) and ripped up with his guitar solo at the end. Ed and Bruce also traded the chorus lines at the end of the song. The guitar solo extended out and it was clear that Ed was having a blast watching Springsteen play on one of his songs. After Better Man, Ed left the stage and returned later during the encores What's So Funny (about Peace, Love and Understanding) and People have the Power. During both encore songs, Ed took a verse - the crowd was truly enthralled with Ed's performance.

For me this was a dream come true, watching my two favorite performers onstage together. I know Ed probably converted a few Bruce fans who may have not been familiar with PJ. What an amazing night! Thanks Ed for being part of the VFC shows. It was Rock and Roll history in the making.