THE AMERICAN SUPERSTAR PLAYED TWO SOLD-OUT SHOWS AT THE HOME OF NEWCASTLE UNITED ON JUNE 4 AND 5, 1985 00:15, 31 May 2025 It was the decade when stadium rock arrived in Newcastle for the

first time. In 1982, The Rolling Stones became the first major act to perform at St James’ Park. Two years later, it was the turn of Bob Dylan - and in 1986, Freddie Mercury and Queen lit up

the home of the Toon with a stunning performance. This week 40 years ago, meanwhile, 35-year-old American superstar Bruce Springsteen stopped off in the midst of his Born In The USA world

tour to play two sold-out shows that have become the stuff of legend. Nearly four million fans would watch ‘The Boss’ during his sprawling global jaunt, and 76,000 of those turned out on

an Evening Chronicle reporter: “It’s worth it for Bruce Springsteen.” The Chronicle, in fact, saw fit to produce a special souvenir edition, priced 17p, to mark the concerts, and copies

were presented to Bruce and his band by tour promoter Harvey Goldsmith. The day of the first show saw Newcastle bathed in brilliant sunshine. Fans began queuing early and there was a

“carnival atmosphere” as the St James’ gates swung open at 4pm. Audience members included Bob Geldof and his then girlfriend Paula Yates, Alan Hull of Lindisfarne, Newcastle United manager

Jack Charlton, local athletics stars Brendan Foster and Steve Cram, and a host of footballers. Article continues below Some time after 6pm, the 38,000 fans inside St James’ went wild as

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band hit the 80 ft x 60 ft stage with the anthemic Born In The USA, the title track of his chart-topping album of the time. The Chronicle’s rock and pop

reviewer, Peter Kinghorn, wrote: “When Springsteen and his seven-piece band burst on stage, it was like a shock to the system. We had had no support act to warm us up - instead here was

Bruce, looking tough in black leather jacket and black boots. “The sound was excellent - clean and clear, booming around the ground. It would be a show of pace, power and real passion which

saw the rock legend perform no less than 26 numbers.” Classic hits including Glory Days, Dancing In The Dark, Hungry Heart, Cover Me, The River and Born To Run were performed with tremendous

energy and purpose over the course of two electrifying sets. As the temperature rose inside the stadium, security staff sprayed down audience members who were hyperventilating while, with a

strict no-alcohol policy in place at the venue, police officers poured bottles of booze confiscated from fans down the drain. Summing up the evening, the Chronicle’s Peter Kinghorn wrote:

“And what of Bruce? He was everything: Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, and Bob Dylan. A magnificent performance.” Back at the Gosforth Park Hotel, relaxing after the show, The Boss

reportedly enjoyed fish, chips, and mushy peas, while it was also revealed he donated £16,000 (nearly £50,000 in today’s money) to sacked miners in the wake of the bitter, year-long

national strike which had ended a few months earlier. Article continues below Bruce Springsteen’s 1985 Newcastle shows were part of what was an era-defining summer for live music. In July,

the massive Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in London saw fans from our region heading south to see the likes of Queen, David Bowie and U2 performing in the music event of the decade. In

the United States on the same day, meanwhile, another star-studded concert took place at John F Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia. Music fans had rarely had it so good. WE HAVE A DEDICATED

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