Multi-generational tailgate party

When the Boss calls, thousands of his Jersey faithful hop to it – well, those of us who could get tickets. Thursday’s setlist was nothing short of spectacular but the way to thoroughly enjoy a Bruce show is after a long day of tailgating. In the Garden State, Springsteen is an institution among families with each new generation brought in when they’re old enough to appreciate the awesomeness of E Street. I took the day off from work and set up shop with my brothers and their friends in Parking Lot 28.

Lot 28 Chair City

Fortunately, baby brother’s friend’s dad owns a sporting goods store so we were very hooked-up. (See that jazzy pink camping chair with monkeys to the far right? None of the boys would sit in it so it was reserved for yours truly.)

The guys insisted that the centerpiece of our tailgate bash be a grill, specifically this George Foreman portable propane behemoth. The menu included burgers, dogs, chips and Chex Mix (and obviously beer). Anything else was too fancy for these guys.

Burgers, Mrs. Dash seasoning

Pre-Bruce concert parking lots in Jersey are usually congenial affairs – some would even say they’re religious encounters - but the fancy couple in the spot next to us (who tailgates with paninis and wine??) seemed to want to get into a volume battle with us. They were playing Greetings from Asbury Park from their car, which obviously drowned out our little iPod boombox. The first time was fine. The subsequent three additional playings of the album were unnecessary. It’s not like the man stopped making albums after 1973 and we had a whole lot more of the Bruce canon to get through.

After a couple hours alternating Miller Lite and Poland Spring (it was almost 90 degrees!) we were ready to fist-pump along. Jay Weinberg stepped in for his dad Max on the drums and he really killed it. The kid’s only 18 years old and is already on tour with one of the greatest bands in history. Must be pretty cool. Clarence was pimped out in a floor-length jacket – probably only something you can pull off if you’re known as the Big Man.

It was such an awesome way to kick off Memorial Day Weekend. Things got even better when Bruce confirmed that they’ll be back in the fall for three shows to close out Giants Stadium. The band rounded out the encore with American Land, which they closed with on 4.22 when I saw them in Boston, but Bruce threw in one last treat for the faithful – Rosalita, of course.

Bruce and the band will bring their tour buses back to the Meadowlands in the fall for Giants Stadium's farewell concerts.