Tramps Like Us

The E Streeters got to spend the night with the inspiration for their name last night, when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band came back to town for a raucous night of rock and roll at the TD Garden in Boston.As most of you know, our Bruce roots date back decades, some of us following him back to the 1970s, and his earliest appearances. Many of us now have surpassed the half-century mark in the number of shows we've experienced. He's been part of bachelor party weekends, and night-before-wedding comings of age.

Along the way, we've picked up numerous fellow believers, and most encouragingly, the next generation of fans, our children.

Last night, a number of us met up for dinner in the North End before the night's exhausting setlistIn celebration, we raised our glasses to the shows of days past and those yet to comeThe night marked Christopher's first-ever concert, therefore obviously his first-ever Bruce show, and to commemorate the occasion, we brought in an accordionistAnd knowing Andrew's penchant for all things Godfather, he quickly broke into a rendition of a theme from the Godfather, prompting my son to invoke Marlon BrandoInside the Garden, before we parted ways, one last shot with our man from Across the Pond, Martin Brewer. The consummate music aficionado, My Favorite Martin is always a walking adrenaline rush to catch up with via Springsteen showsInside the halo at the Garden, a father-son rendition of the famous Boss and Big Man cover from Born to Run, complete with leather jacket and stylish chapeauAnother father and son tandem makes their debut at a Jersey Devil's concertWe had E Streeters spread out everywhere in the Garden. Mike and Marcia sat on Nils' side of the house. And here's a picture of Barry, John, and Scott! See them?Where the hell does a 62-year-old man get the kind of energy that Bruce leaves out there every night? Here's hoping we've got a modicum of that pep when we reach that markAndrew, basking in the greatness that is a Bruce concertSo get this, with pics via http://www.backstreets.com/ and various twitter and tumblr accounts, Bruce decides to do some wave-riding through a crowd of thousands, and in the process, doesn't miss a note of Wilson Pickett's 634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.)This, from a guy who climbed into the balcony and balanced on some piping over the audience at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem earlier this month. Here's a bird's eye view of last night's wave ride back to the stage. That's Bruce splayed in the center of the pic. Un-freaking-believable.Like Bruce, many of us just stand in awe at his antics and ability to deliver night-in, night-out. Last night's show featured the return of oldie Thundercrack, the song the band used to close out their sets in the 1970s.Little Steven was Bruce's foil, once again, albeit in a somewhat reduced role. Special moments, also, to mourn deceased E Streeters Danny Federici and Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons. I must say, by the way, that Clemons' nephew Jake is coming into his own as a righteous saxophonist, and earning himself the moniker of the "Little Big Man."And finally, a couple more pics via Facebook for a heartwarming story out of Boston.Carter Berhhard of Mansfield is a five-year-old boy suffering from spina bifida. He idolizes Springsteen, and has wanted to meet him since he was three.

Before last night's show and during the sound check, Springsteen spent about an hour with Carter and his sister Sky, thanks to the efforts of the Make a Wish Foundation.Carter's favorite Bruce song is Waiting on a Sunny Day, and Springsteen played him his own private rendition of it, along with Tougher Than the Rest, before giving him a guitar signed by the band. The Boss also included Sunny Day in last night's set list.

Waiting on a Sunny Day, indeed.

So you're scared and you're thinking maybe we ain't that young anymore?

Show a little faith, there's magic in the night.

Thanks yet one more time, Bruce. See you this summer?