Obamas, staff get White House sendoff from Bruce Springsteen
President Barack Obama had a unique parting gift for his staff on Thursday, Jan. 12 -- a concert by Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa in the West Wing of the White House, according to the fan blog Backstreets.
Springsteen acoustically performed 15 songs which spanned his entire career, from the hits (Thunder Road and The Promised Land) to rarities like My Father’s House. About 200 to 250 staffers attended, along with President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and National Security Adviser Susan Rice.
Longtime Springsteen guitar tech, Kevin Buell of Ocean Township, was also there. The Backstreets report was written anonymously by a staffer, we assume, who was there. The writer is a big Springsteen fan whose knowledge of the Boss goes deep. He or she attended at least one Springsteen show at the Jersey Shore, a rehearsal; show at Convention Hall.
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At the White House, “Springsteen spoke between most of his selections, talking about politics a bit before Born in the U.S.A. and calling it a "protest song," one that had been misunderstood before and would be misunderstood again,” according to the Backstreets report.Before The Wish, he referenced the President’s own family and talked about how he’d written this one for his mom, who now had dementia, but had taught him so much ‘about how to be in the world.’“
Scialfa joined Springsteen for Tougher Than the Rest and If I Should Fall Behind.
“A few final words of thanks from Bruce, and then President Obama hopped on the stage,” according to Backstreets. “He thanked Bruce in turn — something to the effect of, ‘he’s been with us for some time now, performing his craft to show his support.’ But POTUS mostly focused on thanking the staff and their families for all they’d given and given up, ‘missing kids’ soccer games,’ etc. He wrapped up fairly quickly. Then FLOTUS and Patti took the stage as everyone clapped and the two couples spoke privately among themselves.”
The staffers later saw Springsteen and Scialfa in their car, exiting the White House grounds.
This was the third time Springsteen and Scialfa has visited the White House in recent months. A week ago, they attended a party there with Beyonce and Jay Z, Paul McCartney, Jerry Seinfeld, Solange, Chance the Rapper and more. Two months ago, Springsteen was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor for a civilian, at the White House.
MORE: B Street Band not playing Trump inauguration
The Springsteen tribute band the B Street Band recently pulled out of a gig in Washington: the Garden State Presidential Inaugural Gala, which is part of Donald Trump’s inauguration. B Street frontman Will Forte stated that they did so out of “respect and gratitude we have for Bruce and the E Street Band.”
Springsteen has been a critic of President-elect Trump.
Chris Jordan: cjordan@app.com
Springsteen White House setlist
Working on the Highway
Growin’ Up
My Hometown
My Father’s House
The Wish
Thunder Road
The Promised Land
Born in the U.S.A.
Devils & Dust
Tougher Than the Rest (with Patti Scialfa)
If I Should Fall Behind (with Patti Scialfa)
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Long Walk Home
Dancing in the Dark
Land of Hope and Dreams