PHOTOS: Bruce Springsteen and the Van Ness Street Fans

If you are a fan of The Boss like me, you know that not having tickets to his double header at Fenway Park is a wicked bummer.

I was not alone in my quest to seek out the sweet spot on Van Ness Street, Yawkey Way or Landsdowne Street to hear Bruce and his mighty E Street Band serenade the crowd.

Van Ness Street:

Half of Van Ness Street was barricaded off near one of the large entrances to Fenway. The motorcycle cops, security guards and stadium workers were a dead giveaway that something was going to happen there. At around 5:30 p.m., a black SUV pulled up and out came The Boss himself. The adoring crowd pushed forwards to snap pictures, have autographs signed and shake hands with Bruce, who was laid back and beamed a warm smile.

“I first saw him in 1985 on the Born in the U.S.A. tour in Providence and I was hooked from then on.” Carol Rondeau, 51, of East Greenwhich, R.I. said. “Nobody puts on a show like Bruce.” She had tickets for tonight’s show and was hoping to get a glimpse of The Boss before he went on.

Bruce and the Band came back out of the Van Ness Street exit at around 7:30 p.m. to load up in a van and drive to the Lansdowne Street entrance at Center Field. People cheered and took pictures. A few minutes later, the crowd began to roar as the band made their entrance to “Take Me Out to The Ball Game,” and opening chords of “Thunder Road” bled out onto the Van Ness Street sidewalks. This was a decent spot, but it time to find the others in the area. 

Yawkey Way:

A crowd had gathered on the red steps of The Original Souvenir Shop on Yawkey Way. This was the ideal spot because of seating and because the buildings created a perfect echo.

Lansdowne Street:

A decent sized crowd had gathered in front of the Gold’s Gym. This was another prime spot to sit on the curb and listen to Bruce and the Band play. 

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