The E Street Cafe Podcast Jeff Matthews

Frankfurt 1981 - the River Tour. 43 years ago this week. Our own Dan French gets an invite he can't refuse. 'Meet me in Frankfurt - I have a ticket for you' says a fellow fan. What happens next? Let's just say you couldn't make it up.

No more spoilers, but let's just say that this story is legendary in E Street fan circles and we have finally persuaded Dan to recount those amazing few days.

Jeff and Dan also conduct an E Street Shuffle for each other in between the refreshments provided by Rosalita and the E Street Cafe podcast team.


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Jeff, Dan and Mike get together in the cafe to have a good old chinwag about the first 3 live gigs of 2024 in Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego.

Also in this episode, we each choose our Top 3 Bruce albums of all time and our favourite track from each of those albums.

Rosie cooks up a couple of specials to keep the boys well fed.

What do you think of our choices? What would your Top 3 be? Let us know and we'll give you a shout-out.


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May 9 1974 - Bruce Springsteen performed a show that is considered to be a watershed moment in his career. A local photographer, Barry Schneier, had seen Bruce perform a few months earlier and suggested to the promoter that Bruce should open for Bonnie Raitt that night at The Harvard Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA. The promoter agreed and Bruce was booked in to perform at short notice.

Also in the audience that night was Jon Landau, a music critic for Rolling Stone and The Real Paper. What Jon witnessed that night, and would write about afterwards, would alter Bruce's life, and indeed his own.

Not only was Barry instrumental in putting Bruce on the bill that famous night, but he was there with his camera to capture this important piece of musical history.

For more details on Barry's book 'Bruce Springsteen: Rock and Roll Future' - visit barryschneierphotography.com or any other major online store like 'you know who'!

Pull up a chair, pour your favourite drink and rewind 50 years. Enjoy.


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When Dutch superfan Jeff Molenaar heard 'Sherry Darling' playing on Ally McBeal many years ago, it began a lifelong obsession with following Bruce on tour. Jeff tells the story of how pure persistence meant that 'Annie and her guy' not only got a mention at the iconic Leeds Arena gig - but they got a very special and rare song played for them by Bruce.




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In part 2 of our chat with Vini 'Mad Dog' Lopez, we cover the recording of the second Bruce Springsteen album, the break up from the band, golf, Steel Mill Retro and the various reunions with Bruce and the band over the last decade or so.

Entertaining and engaging as ever - Vini regales stories from his lifelong career in Rock and Roll and we make sure he partakes in our very own E Street Shuffle challenge.

Enjoy and don't forget to leave us a nice review if you liked this double header!


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The founding member of the E Street Band. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Do I have to say his name? It's only Vini 'Mad Dog' Lopez in the Cafe to join Jeff for a chat about the early years up to and including the recording of the first album.

As you can expect, this episode is crammed full of epic Jersey Shore tales from the 60s up to 1973.

Part 2 is in production and covers the recording of The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle and the 'ups and downs' thereafter. Strap yourself in and enjoy.


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