In the presence of stars: the musician who made Bruce Springsteen feel “awestruck”
Endorsements from big stars are incredible achievements. While some feel inclined to shout about their favourites from the rooftops, Bruce Springsteen often admires talent quietly, sitting on the sidelines observing greatness as it plays out under the spotlight. His intentions may not always be clear and may strike some as strange, but if you’re his thing, he will let you know about it.
At least, this was what happened when Brian Wilson performed a benefit concert in 2007. “It was almost like he was taking notes,” Wilson said, trying to make sense of the way Springsteen sat in the darkness, watching on from a folding chair at the side of the stage. To some, this would have probably been intimidating, but Wilson’s deductions weren’t far from the truth. He probably was taking mental notes, figuring out how to channel the Beach Boy in his own performances.
Springsteen’s respect for his fellow luminary shone through, most notably in 2015 when he joined him on stage to perform a special rendition of ‘Surfin’ USA’. Boasting an ear-to-ear grin, Springsteen’s dream became a reality as he shared the stage with the very person he deems one of music’s greatest gifts. “[He] just took you out of where you were and took you to another place,” Springsteen once said, and that night, he experienced it first-hand.
In fact, in Springsteen’s view, the Beach Boys are lightning in a bottle, a rock ‘n’ roll “world” that he feels fairly certain hasn’t been recreated by anyone else or “touched[…] yet”. For the New Jersey native, the band was most indicative of innovation due to their ability to blend various musical elements. Springsteen labelled this a special type of “construction”, which he continues to be “awestruck” by.
He explained that Wilson, in particular, “took very complex arrangements, and yet, at the end of the day, they sounded so simple when they entered your ear”. It takes genuine talent to be able to present something in seemingly simplistic ways, especially when it comes to meticulous chord progressions and intricate accompanying arrangements. In Springsteen’s view, Wilson was untouchable because he was able to do what many others couldn’t.
The respect was mutual, too. Wilson was used to collaborating on stage and having people approach him during performances. However, the only times he seems to be overtly comfortable and at home is when Springsteen joins him. After performing together in 2007, Wilson said they enjoyed hanging out “for a while” and that Springsteen described him as one of the true masters capable of coming up with “American masterworks”.
Reacting rather humbly, Wilson recognised the same level of prowess in Springsteen, explaining that he had also “written some […] himself”. Clearly, Springsteen appreciates Wilson’s presence in the industry more than many of his other contemporaries, seeing the star for the master that he is. Although a legend in his own right, Springsteen shows his inner music fanatic each time he has the pleasure of becoming an honorary Beach Boy, making the nights ones to remember for many years to come.
