One of Bruce Springsteen’s earliest gigs as a signed musician was at West Chester University, but the performance in October 1972 did not end up going as well as the famous artist had hoped it would, writes Martin Kielty for UltimateClassicRock.com.
Springsteen recalled the event in an extended television interview with Jimmy Kimmel (a reference to Springsteen’s WCU gig begins at the 11:10 mark of the video below). It occurred after recording his first album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.
At WCU, Springsteen was opening for the comedy duo Cheech & Chong, who were hugely popular at the time.
“We came out, we played about five songs, I thought it was going really good,” said Springsteen. “I was sitting at the piano and somebody tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘That’s enough.’ That was it!”
The reason for the shortened performance was a dispute that had erupted backstage with Cheech & Chong’s management, who had not been told that a third act was booked. As a result, Springsteen and the E Street Band were asked to end their set prematurely.
Read more about Bruce Springsteen’s short-lived gig in Chester County from UltimateClassicRock.com.
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Bruce Springsteen reminisces about opening for Cheech & Chong in a “small college town” at the 11:10-minute mark of the interview with Jimmy Kimmel.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on VISTA Today in November 2019.
Top photo credit: pjmbarlickoz Springsteen via photopin (license)
