Bruce Springsteen arrives at the Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank for one of the rehearsal sessions now at the center of the new documentary “Road Diaries: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.” (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
Well, this is super cool. The new behind-the-scenes Hulu documentary on Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band’s latest tour starts with two words that could not hit any closer to home for Red Bankers.
“Red Bank,” Springsteen’s gravelly voiceover says over opening footage of him and his band exchanging hugs and a shot of Monmouth Street. “That’s the sight of the old Carlton Theater, now the Count Basie, where back in the 70’s I’d play with the early E-Street Band. I used to walk these streets on Saturdays in the 60’s when they were filled with teenagers.”
Trailer for the new Hulu documentary. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
The film, entitled “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band” offers the most in-depth look ever at the creation of the band’s legendary live performances, including footage of rehearsals, backstage moments, rare archival clips and personal reflections from Springsteen himself. It premiered October 25.
The documentary gives a behind the scene look at the band’s rehearsals for its first post-pandemic tour which began in February 2023 and is continuing. The rehearsals took place inside the Vogel at Red Bank’s Count Basie Center for the Arts.
And while it features concert footage of the tour from Florida, Spain, London and elsewhere, the bulk of the film is shot and returns repeatedly to those Vogel rehearsal sessions.
“It’s always a pleasure, and a bit magical, when Bruce stops by the Basie Center,” Count Basie Center for the Arts CEO Adam Phillipson said in an email to redbankgreen. “Having the entire E-Street Band at The Vogel to rehearse ahead of one of their biggest-ever world tours was a highlight for me and the team. We’re proud to be a part of ‘Road Diary’ and congratulate Bruce, the band and director Thom Zimny on an excellent film.”
As redbankgreen readers were reminded earlier this year, Springsteen’s history of performing in Red Bank goes back farther than the shows at the Carlton Theater, to pre E-Street Band performances at the Off Broad Cafe, now the Red Bank Diner. Click here if you missed that never-before-told story.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
