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Video: London Concert Organizers CUT OFF Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney's Jam
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 15, 2012
Modified Jul 16, 2012
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Bruce Springsteen's Twitter
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 15, 2012
Modified Jul 16, 2012
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Bruce Springsteen headlined last night's Hard Rock Calling concert in London and brought a special guest, (Sir) Paul McCartney, for the close. Yet the two rock legends were treated like rubbish when organizers cut off power during their version of "Twist and Shout" because they went past the curfew. E Street Band member Stevie Van Zandt sent out some furious Tweets, including, "One of the great gigs ever in my opinion. But seriously, when did England become a police state?"
The concert's website described the incident, "With an epic finale imminent, Bruce saves the biggest surprise ‘til last, inviting Sir Paul McCartney out to close with I Saw Her Standing There and Twist and Shout, before an amplifier shutdown, the band having pushed their curfew restriction too far, forces an abrupt end to an otherwise glorious performance." Apparently Springsteen's performance was supposed to end at 10:15 p.m., but it actually went past 10:30 p.m. (rockers—they're always running late) so organizers had to enforce a curfew "in the interest of the public's health and safety." Watch the crowd get angry!
According to the AP, "Huge concerts in Hyde Park, a 350-acre (140-hectare) expanse of landscaped garden and parkland that abuts some of London's wealthiest neighborhoods, have increasingly caused friction between fans and the area's well-heeled residents, many of whom gripe about the late-night noise and nuisance."
Bruce Springsteen at the Hard Rock Calling concert (Pacific Coast News)
London Mayor Boris Johnson said, "It sounds to me like an excessively efficacious decision... If they'd have called me, my answer would have been for them to jam in the name of the Lord," while Stephan Marchant, the comedian and co-creator of The Office, said, "Ashamed to be British right now. Springsteen and McCartney playing Twist & Shout in Hyde Park and council pulled the plug cos of curfew"
Anyway, enjoy The Boss and Macca performing "I Saw Her Standing There"—and then Little Stevie's Tweets:
One of the great gigs ever in my opinion. But seriously, when did England become a police state?
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
We break curfews in every country but only English cops needs to "punish us" by not letting us leave until the entire crowd goes.
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
Is there just too much fun in the world? We would have been off by 11 if we'd done one more. On a Saturday night! Who were we disturbing?
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
"Rich people!"
The cops got nothing more important to do? How about they go catch some criminals instead of fucking with 80,000 people having a good time?
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
English cops may be the only individuals left on earth that wouldn't want to hear one more from Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney!
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
I'm sorry but I have to be honest I'm pissed. Like I said, it didn't ruin the great night. But when I'm jamming with McCartney don't bug me!
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
If it's a public transport issue I'm sorry but people are adult enough to go get a train if they need to without the cops pulling the plug!
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
There's no grudges to be held. Just feel bad for our great fans. Hard Rock is cool. Live Nation is cool. It's some City Council stupid rule.
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
Tagged
bruce springsteen
concert
hyde park
killjoy
paul mccartney
twist and shout
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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