Just saw the E-Street band last night in the Meadowlands and Jay added so much energy. Seeing that young kid on stage was just a cool sight with Bruce in the gang.

Saw the band last night in Hershey, Pa and Jay was great. A cool kid making the most of a fantastic opportunity. He had the whimsey of that Muppet who plays the drums on Sesame St. and I mean that in a good way. Clarence seemed to be in a lot of pain, but can still thrill. I’d go to a show every week if I could.

I, too, saw last night’s Albany show, Jay’s first complete show. He was excellent. Steady and powerful without being showy, he has the strength of Max without the Carpal Tunnel reconstructive surgery. And he’s gonna to have the best summer of his life (and so are the fans) because this is a great tour.

I had the pleasure of seeing Jay Weinberg in his first full show last night in Albany. As great as Max is, Jay hits ‘em harder and the energy was not lost on the band or the crowd. While Max will not lose his job with Bruce, it has to be the greatest feeling as a dad to know that your son is filling in for you, and that you have your best friends in the world looking after him. It doesn’t get any better than that.

From my vantage point during Tuesday’s Chicago show I observed Max sitting off to the side watching his son set the stage on fire. The pride in his face was just one of the concert’s high points. Bruce is more than music, he’s life as it should be lived.

From my vantage point during Tuesday’s Chicago show I observed Max sitting off to the side watching his son set the stage on fire. The pride in his face was just one of the concert’s high points. Bruce is more than music, he’s life as it should be lived.

I have seen the Bruce and the E Street Band several times since the start of his career. The last two times before last night have been very good but last night Jay Weinberg brought a whole new life to the band.They rocked Chicago like it has not been rocked in a long time.Way to go Jay,you have a great career ahead of you. Good choice, Bruce.

I was a witness to the talent of Jay Weinberg at the show in Charlottesville on May 5th. He was amazing…brought a spark to the show. He is really HOT, too! Best of luck to him in his career. Max did a good job with passing on the passion for music. What an amazing experience for Jay.

Beth, I too had the pleasure of making the drive from Wilmington, NC to “Steensboro” for what turned out to be one of the top shows over the past 3 decades for me. I expected to see Jay on the chair as some point, just not at the beginning of the show. Well, the gene pool obviously runs deep in this family. Like father, like son and the Big Beat lives on! I was taken away with the passion and joy that Jay displayed from his start to finish. To say he energized the band is an understatement. More than once, from my vantage point in Section 209, I saw the pride in The Boss’ face when he turned to watch Jay. I swear I even saw Garry Tallent crack a wee smile as he watched Jay wail away! As a father, the touching and crowning moment was when Max and Jay exchanged sticks when Max came out, and at the end of the show when Max returned for the encore line and gave Jay a very proud fatherly hug! To paraphase Jon Landau in 1974, Saturday night I saw a rock ‘n roll drummer who made me feel young again, a drummer who put pure joy and energy into his every breath and strike of the drumskins. Tonight I still believe that rock and roll has a future! Thank you Boss, E Streeters and Jay for giving me another show to remember!

Hey Beth, I saw the May 2nd concert too in “Steensboro” and it was incredible. Jay brought a real edge, an energy from earlier Springsteen days, to the concert. And to top it off, Bruce was so proud of Jay’s talent, which seemed to make it that much better. That kid has Max’s talent for sure, plus 100!

Bruce, you rock! Jay, you keep the beat!

I just saw Bruce in Greensboro on May 2nd. Jay opened the show with no explanation from Bruce as to why Max was not there. After the first set Max appeared and the fans nearly brought down the house when he showed up. Max played the next set and then left and Jay returned to finish the show. While Jay is incredibly talented, especially for his youth and short duration in training himself on the drums, there is a seasoned difference that his father exudes in his own talent that Jay may also one day exhibit given time and experience. Regardless, Jay brought a great energy to the band and it was obvious that Bruce has a strong admiration and comfort level with him already. It was a pleasure to see this father/son tag-team performance in Greensboro! (Patty was a no show, however) I really hope this isn’t the band’s last tour!

I just saw Bruce in Greensboro on May 2nd. Jay opened the show with no explanation from Bruce as to why Max was not there. After the first set Max appeared and the fans nearly brought down the house when he showed up. Max played the next set and then left and Jay returned to finish the show. While Jay is incredibly talented, especially for his youth and short duration in training himself on the drums, there is a seasoned difference that his father exudes in his own talent that Jay may also one day exhibit given time and experience. Regardless, Jay brought a great energy to the band and it was obvious that Bruce has a strong admiration and comfort level with him already. It was a pleasure to see this father/son tag-team performance in Greensboro! Kudos to Bruce and the band for continuing to bring us an exceptional show…from one decade to the next!

I was at both Philly shows…Jay kicked total ass both nights. Second night, Jay replaced Dad and remained on for the rest of the show…about 11 songs worth. I had behind the stage seating and the relationship with Bruce is already in place. Springsteen was smiling, soaking him with his buckets of water and announced Jay as the prodigy! It was fun to watch it all unfold!

I was also at the Philly show last night, hence the checking on this kid. I think he’s a tad harder than Max, who is a finesse beat. Nevertheless, he added a tremendous amount of energy to the set.

I was at the Philly Finale show tonite. There’s an amazing way that Max hits his exchanges and there’s little beats to it where the experience is. The first song Jay played after max left it was noticable. He is very good and does catch up, but spends time wiping his long hair out of his face and when he does that he messes up his own timing a bit. The bottom line is theres a power in the way that Max plays and it comes from experience, but things change. The show will go on, Jay is good and luck to be Jay W, but he isn’t Max, the product of the band isn’t better with Jay, it’s a shade off, but they are all so rich and powerful that it won’t make a difference at this point. That’s the reality, I like that they put him in…Bruce is a good guy.

My husband and I took our 23 yr old daughter to see her first Bruce concert last night. It was as usual fantastic. It was also such a pleasure to hear Jay playing the drums. If Bruce didn’t introduce him I wouldn’t have noticed the change. Like father like son. Great job Jay.

He played half the show on 4/28 in Philadelphia last night. Wondering
who it was until Bruce said, he
was quite amazing and flawless.

Fans pay a lot of money for a concert and I found it odd that he would turn the drums over to an 18 year old who has been playing for four years, just because of his dad. Then I saw the tour stop in Hartford. Never mind: that kid can play!

saw the atlanta show. the kid is good but he doesn’t hit hard enough. kinda like why college football players aren’t in the NFL, they’re not big enough yet.

Saw Bruce & the band last night in Boston and they are totally at the top of their game. Jay Weinberg is a fantastic addition. Give the kid a chance.

The negative comments are ridiculous. I have seen Bruce 3X. 1981 (Sports Arena), 1985 or 86 (LA Coliseum). This latest incarnation of the road show was fantastic. Bruce smartly injected guests like Tom Morello (Rage/Audioslave) into Tom Joad to great delight of his fans. Racing in the Streets piano was incredible and the encore could have gone on forever and would still have left me wanting to hear more. Get a grip and realize Bruce and the E Streeters can still bring it.

i have seen over 150 shows dating back to 1980 or 81 in the hollywood sportatorium in hollywood florida.(no longer there )i was amazed then and have been increasingly amazed every sho since. i have brought many people along for the ride and they have all said the same thing after the concert. “WOW THAT WAS AWESOME”. they are running on all cylinders right now and i am so lucky and grateful that i can still go see them. kick ass jay good luck!

If you really don’t like the music, then why would you waste your time and post something so negative. Springsteen is a poet that has moved ALMOST everyone in a very significantly positive way. If you don’t find yourself included, then why not move onto some other thread that carries a more enlightening message? Rock on Bruce, Jay, Patti… as long as you can and we’ll be following you as long as possible.

HAS ANYONE SEEN THE SET LIST-WORST TOUR EVER SO FAR. HE IS DONE ,IT’S LIKE HE MADE A BIG MISTAKE AND HE KNOWS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

several things…whoever said “tour sucks” is a moron, the tour hasn’t started yet…

whoever wrote “bruce sucks” - that is ridiculous, the comment should have been deleted. the point of this blog is jay filling in, expressing your dislike for springsteen overall (random, why are you wasting your time) is off-topic

i missed the magic tour, but saw the rising and then d&d. i am a relatively young fan - 25, so i really don’t know as much about the ins and outs of who has been here since when. to say that the name needs to be changed based on a few changes/additions is ridiculous. the other changes over the years have been documented, but the name doesn’t change of a relatively large band for a few subs. yes if this were the beatles and they changed one of the four people, that is one thing - oh wait, ringo wasn’t their first drummer…

E-Street has more of a meaning than a certain list of players, it is the attitude, the heart, and i think that is partly why bruce chose jay, he sees that unseeable thing in him. max will be there for my show this sunday, but i would relish a chance to see jay fill in a few songs for BRUCE AND THE E STREET BAND

OK, first off, most of you have no idea, NONE. I am a drummer and springsteen fan. i’ve actually dreaded the day max wouldn’t be in that seat, but at the same time,always wished it could be me. When i read they were going to use a “fill in” for some shows i cringed!! possible drummers went through my head (kenny arnoff, steve jorden) great drummers, but not E street musicians.im glad jay is up there. if anyone can bring justice to E street, (besdies myself) Eddie healy jr. it’s probably going to be someone whos getting pointers from the MIGHTY ONE himeself…. good luck jay, you lucky bastard!!

Pibb-

I see what you’re saying. What I’m saying is that Patti’s decreased involvement is fine by me and I would confidently say a lot of other of his long fans. Put it this way, who’s the bigger nepotist- her or Jay? Weigh on which one can actually contribute more to the show………her screeching or his solid drum playing?

As a long-time Bruce fan, it brought tears to by eyes when Jay came out and played Born to Run at Giant’s stadium over the summer. Saw him play at the rehearsal show on 3/23 too. He’s got it, he’ll do great. It’s wonderful that he is filling in for Max. If the kid didn’t have “it” Bruce would not have asked him. Just the look of pride in Max’s face is good enough for me. Rock on, Jay!

Jay did very well at the rehersal shows. But the guy for the job if it ever becomes available is a new jersey drummer named Joey Vitello. He played with the band backstreets for two years and could fire up the e street band like max does and beyond. But Jay will be fine, he is a solid drummer like his dad.

To Flank getting all on his high horse about drummers, in particular with regards to Jason Bonham and Zak Starkey…
Re: Jason. No-one was ever gonna fill Bonzo’s shoes, surely this was an appropriate solution. I didn’t see the O2 show, but Dave Grohl said that as much as he wanted to be up there, it was right that Jason played. Having said that Dave Mustaine claimed that he overplayed a bit, I dunno.
But regarding Zak Starkey, I have to disagree with your claim that he was monopolising the drumstool in both bands. Firstly, he was surely only in Oasis because the Gallagher brothers so want to be The Beatles that having a Starkey on drums was too good an opportunity to pass up - besides which he’s not even drumming for them anymore he’s been replaced by Robbie William’s drummer! As for The Who, the guy is a perfect fit on their material - I don’t think you can criticise his work there. And again the claim of monopolising doesn’t hold waterseeing as he was offered the chance to be an ‘official’ memeber of the band by Townshend but passed it up.

Bruce is the eternal BOSS he can pick whoever he wants he never has and never will let as true fans down unlike some internet trolls posting here. Nuff said…….

Bruce is a tremendous gift from God. His music brings so much joy and inspiration. 58 and in his prime. All the great rock bands from the ’70’s couldn’t keep up. Endless Wire by The Who was good and they’re still awesome in concert, but Bruce follows up the The Rising with two fantastic discs in 15 months?? INCREDIBLE! That’s 3 STRONG efforts in 7 years.
And NO ONE - relates to an audiance and plays it live better!

The chemistry’s the thing here. Can you imagine how much this addition will energize the band on the stage and the fans in the audience? Looking forward to hearing the fan’s response when Bruce introduces the kid during the shows.

Hopefully this isn’t the last tour and why should it be. This is the best Rock show in history and continues to be. Kudos to Patti to miss some shows to raise her family. What do you call that? Oh yeah, responsibility! Clarence slowing down? I don’t think so but I’d take him at 50% over anyone else. Thrilled to see Jay filling in for his dad. It’s the way it should be. E Street is a family after all and what is wrong with family. Rock on Bruce and the e Streeters for many more years to come. Love you Susie!!!

THIS WILL BE THE WORST TOUR EVER FOR BRUCE. SAME OLD CRAPPY SONGS IN CONCERT. WE WILL NEVER HEAR THE PRICE YOU PAY, BLINDED BY THE LIGHT, HE BARLEY PLAYS RACING IN THE STREET, HE ONLY PICKS 1 SONG FROM TRACKS EACH NIGHT. SO TIRED OF FANS YELLING THUNDER ROAD. I RATHER NEVER HEAR BORN TO RUN AGAIN LIVE, IT’S BORING!!!
BRUCE GIVE YOUR FANS WHAT THEY DESERVE .

I think it’s time to start closing down the show.
It’s starting to draw some negative comments and that’s not what Bruce intended.
Maybe they can reschedule some shows for the following summer.

Nu Jaru - I didn’t say “Patti’s never there” (Anonymous did). I did say she’s part-time…just an observation on how odd the whole thing is right now. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the band and I’ll be there when they come to town, but things are changing, which is part of life I know.

Things can’t stay the same forever…we just have to accept the changes in the band, I suppose.

A true Bruce fan knows that Bruce
would NEVER have asked Max’s son to
play if he couldn’t, “walk the walk”.
Bruce is just a lovely person..
I can wait to to him..
Boston 4/22/09 … I’m counting the days…
A true fan from 1975…

Mr Pibb,
Your line about “Patti’s no longer there” might’ve invalidated your entire response. What real Bruce fan is actually complaining about that? When did you jump on the scene, 2004?

bruce sucks anyhow so why does it matter what idiot hes got drumming for him anyhow get bam-bam rubble wouldnt sounnd any differnt

I agree with what Lars is saying except that it wasn’t Vini “mad dog” Lopez on Born to Run ( the song…that is). It was Ernest “Boom” Carter. Max Weinberg played on the rest of the album though.
I feel that Jay Weinberg will be just fine and possibly push the band in even edgier directions in his features concerts.
Play it.

Who Bruce picks is his choice. Obviously Jay can play, so Bruce would have selcted him. Unlike politics and even the corporate world, in music i dont think it’s possible to hide someone who is not good. So why wld Springsteen risk and put everything on the line.

MAybe folks who are crying sell-out would have been happy if Bruce had done one of those stupid reality shows” SEarch for the next- E Street drummer’, where he, Landau and maybe LittleSteven get to go all the contestants!
Max or Jay, whoever it is, Bruce, pls do come to India

The comments saying that it isn´t the E street band anymore are just ridiclous. After all, Max wasn´t even the original drummer, he was a replacement for Vini Lopez (who plays on the original Born To Run!)
Just as Roy was a replacement for Dave Sancious, Nils for Little Steven and so on…. Yet nobody would argue that they are all solid members of the E street nation! Rock on Bruce, you´re all we´ve got left!!

Let’s face it Bruce fans, this is why we really love him! What you see is what you get! A man of character. It’s the ties that really bind. Rock on Jay!

It’s not the end of the world, but the times they are a-changin’.

See the band this year while you can - Danny’s gone, Patti’s part-time, Max will be around less and less, Clarence has physical problems that aren’t getting better the older he gets (retirement looming), etc. etc.

The reality is now we have a replacement keyboard player, the drummer’s son, “Soozie” (??), and backup singers. It’s becoming Vegas Bruce. It’s still a good show, but it ain’t the same - and they’re gonna starting to drop like flies as each year passes. It should be called Bruce and the E Street Revue…a little more appropriate these days.

who cares….tour sucks!!!

I saw both Asbury shows and the kid has it. Bruce was proud, but the real catch your breath moment happened when Max watched his son. Truly brought tears to my eyes. And my ears felt good too. Good for you Jay - make your Daddy proud!

Give the kid a chance!! He was amazing in Asbury last Monday night. I am shocked to read he has only been playing drums for a few years. And he is hot! Good luck Jay!!

this ain’t sofia coppola in the godfather, part iii. jay is the real deal.

As long as the sound is happening, Bruce can call it The E-Street Band, or any other thing he chooses. Personally, I’m looking forward to the Tulsa show on April 7, and still enjoying the new album to no end.

Keep working on that dream ,boss!

I don’t think people are doubting the playing of Jay. It is just getting wierd for Bruce to continue as so called E-street band. Danny gone, Patti never there, Max missing shows, backup singers, Soozie never included as an official member. No one is doubting the energy or playing just the E-Street name.

I can guarantee that all of the negative posters and nay-sayers did not witness either of the shows at AP, so if you haven’t seen the kid play you really should show him some respect and reserve judgement. I saw them both and the kid has MAD SKILLS!!!!!

ALL THE VERBAL ABUSE OF BACK UP SINGERS–NEW DRUMMER–PATTI THERE OR NOT THERE–ONE MUST TAKE THIS INTO PERSOECTIVE.

AFTER OVER 35 YEARS SEVEERAL CHANGES AND ADDITIONS HAVE BEEN MADE.

CHANGES HAVE TO BE MADE OR THE FEAR OF STAGNATION DEVELOPS.

CHANGE IS GOOD.WITH THE LIKES OF FLEETWOOD MAC–JOHN FOGERTY—THE WHO—AND SUCH RETREAD OLD TOURING ACTS TOURING AND RETOURING–PLAYING OLD SONGS AND HITS WHICH THEY HAVE TO DO BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO OFFER ANYMORE.

SPRINGSTEEN IS STILL RELEVANT AFTER 35 YRS–WHETHER WITH AN E- STREET PROJECT OR A SINGLE PROJECT.

CHERISH IT BECAUSE YOU WON’T BE SEEING HIM DOING THE FOGERTY THING HIRING A FEW PEOPLE FOR 9 MONTS PLAYING 5 THOUSAND SEAT AUDITORIUMS.

What about Jay’s sister?
Does she play drums?
How long will it take her to learn?

As Bruce said in the 1st Asbury Park Rehearsal concert. “There will always be a Weinberg on the drums of the E Street Band”.
I ust hope Jay does a song or 2 in L.A.

Jay is a terrific choice!

I think they should have brought david sancious back after danny passed away and use vinny or boom carter as the sub drummer.

I love Bruce and the s street band!! Max is fab and I`m sure Jay is to!!!

Cant´t wait till the shows this summer!!!!!!!!

Bruce and the E steet band you´re my lycky day!!

Nepotism, my ass. If the kid can play, let him play.Whats Bruce supposed to do, bring back Vinnie Lopez or Boom Carter.

They should open with cover me on this tour because this is turning into a cover band. Why in the world does the E-street band need backup singers, is Bruce gettin ready to do a Elton John style Vegas review show?

The kid can play.

It is really shocking to see so many “fans” talking trash. What do you think you are talking about? When Charlie stepped in for Danny they picked the best organ player who was around. He his a big Springsteen fan himself and he knew most of the songs. That’s just the same with Jay. It is the best solution for the band and for the fans! Do you remember the 92/93 tour with the “other” band? No requests performed because the band couldn’t keep up with Bruce. Jay knows it all. And it is family. Bruce loves family and that is what real fans like: The band was and is a big family and it will stay a family even if someone has to fill an open slot.

And remember: Max wasn’t the first drummer of the E Street Band…..he is the third. And every time we listen to “Born to run” live we hear Max covering a song another drummer performed on the record. So stay calm and enjoy the shows with Jay.

BRUCE IS A F-IN SELLOUT

It just rankles to see Jason Bonham inheriting his father’s position in Led Zeppelin.
Zak Starkey monopolizing the drumstool for two bands, the Who and Oasis.
And now this!

It’s Bruce’s band, it’s Bruce’s decision. I saw Jay play on 3/23 in AP, and as others have said, he is good. His talent is shocking given how long he has been playing. The fact is Bruce likes people around him with whom he is comfortable. Risk or no risk, this is a better fit for Bruce than the more talented, more experienced alternatives…and nothing sends a message better about this being temporary than having Max’s kid sit in.

What’s wrong with the e street member’s kin playing in the band? if this kid can play, then let him play. jeez, suddenly this is knocking everybody out of sorts for no reason. and i have a feeling this will not be the last tour for the e street band.

This is outrageous!
With all the drummers in the world Bruce just happens to pick Max Weinburg’s son!
And they both live at the same address!
This stinks a mile off.

This could be an excellent addition to the band - some fresh blood.

And tell me that when Bruce looks back and sees Jay, it’s not gonna seem just a little like Vini back on the drums again.

Springsteen fans, it is just a band and in time all bands end. It was one of the best runs EVER for a band, but I agree it may be time for Bruce to do his solo work and other side projects. Let the band go while still on top.

Keep concerns to ourselves? Since when is this not America anymore?
So if you say the E-street band is no more, we are not allowed to speak. Backup singers, kids of the original band members playing. Yes the band maybe still strong, but there are strong signs of the end.

This will be one member of the band that is not Viagra taking. Bruce will have to make an exclusion.

Despite one of the comments above, from what i’ve seen (and trust me, i’ve seen a LOT), The E Street Band are firing on all cylinders and have never sounded better, catch them on this tour because of that fact alone, cause we’ve all heard that “it’ll be the last tour” rhetoric til we’re blue in the face…welcome Jay, I’m sure you’ll blow us all away!

The kid is talented and fun.Add the E-Street connection to a band that has always felt like family to its fans and how could there be anything wrong with this.

The kid is talented and fun.Add the E-Street connection to a band that has always felt like family to its fans and how could there be anything wrong with this.

I also saw both shows at Asbury- the kid can pound the skins!! Unreal!! We sat near him and talked to him afterwards, AND he’s a Hockey Goalie!

There are so many Bruce fans who constantly voice their disgust with Jay drumming, Patti this or that, Clarence not holding his own, and on and on….
How about keeping your concerns to yourself or becoming a fan of someone else who would take your comments seriously.
I’ve heard Jay play with the band during rehearsals and rest assured he can hold his own.

I was also at the show at Giants Stadium where Jay played. He brings a lot of power (as does his father) to the band. Bruce and Jon made a good choice!

I am sure this kid is an awesome drummer. How long can this b street band continue. No more Danny, no more Patti, Clarence is losing his edge, Max will miss more than a dozen shows. This is the end, catch this tour as it will be the last

Say Jay perform in Asbury last Monday - Terrific job! No one will be sorry if they catch a show with Jay behind the kit!

Nepotism I tell ya!!

I love Max, and hate that he can’t make all of Bruce’s shows, but if there has to be another drummer, it is only fitting that another Weinberg fill those shoes. It’s gotta be in the genes.

Good luck to him.

i saw about 20 performances of Radio Nowhere on the Magic tour. Tuesday night in Asbury blew them all away. even Bruce seemed to be in awe at the end.

rock on dude!

i went to high school with jay. he’s a fantastic drummer and the sweetest person ever, no one deserves this more!

Jay is an excellent drummer…and a nice kid.

I was at the Giants Stadium concert where Jay played. He was awesome!!! Didn’t skip a beat.

“I’m not giving up my job yet”-Max
Thank good…. can’t wait to see Max in Europe this summer….