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In 1975 Bruce Springsteen was balanced precariously between superstardom and obscurity. Under huge pressure from record company Columbia to produce a hit third album after two weak selling predecessors, Bruce and the E Street Band locked themselves in the studio for what has now come to be regarded as a legendary marathon recording session. He emerged with Born To Run and a band that had developed into simply the best back up band in the history of rock n roll. If you want to argue that point, go right ahead – but you are wrong.

On the back of the album Bruce and band, now supplemented by Steve Van Zandt who is presented in Bruce mythology as having saved the recording sessions, ventured outside the USA for the first time, and they pitched up in London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Bolstered by cover articles in both Time and Newsweek, Columbia hyped the London appearance out of all proportion, postering the venue and the surrounding streets with a flyer which posed the nonsensical overbearing legend, “Is London finally ready for Bruce Springsteen?” Springsteen went nuts, tore down the posters and by all accounts retreated into a sullen pre gig mood. For thirty years Sprinsgteen legend, supported by official biographer Dave Marsh, had it that the gig was a disaster, with Bruce in non communicative mood and not engaging the audience. Three decades on and the concert was released in pristine DVD quality and the myth was exploded. Bruce rocked that night and he has rocked (and rolled) ever since.

In the intervening period Bruce Springsteen has gone global with the wilfully misunderstood Born in the USA album, gone solo with acoustic albums like Nebraska and the Ghost of Tom Joad. He even – shock, horror, ‘sacked’ the E Street Band in 1988 before entering a decade of wilderness which contained music of a quality which many other artists would die for. Then, as he approached his 50^th year he called up the old gang to the delight of the hardcore fanbase, and hit the road again. He hasn’t stopped since.

Since 1999 Bruce has released three E Street Band albums and squeezed in two side projects including the joyous Seeger Sessions record and tour which trawled over and gave new life to old Irish, Amercian, and Scottish folk songs, protests ballads and sea shanties. You have to listen to it.

This year he released Working on a Dream, an optimistic, pop driven album with many layers and subtleties buried in its tracks. Showing no signs of slowing down Bruce is on the road again. This weekend he will headline the Glastonbury Festival and on Sunday, he will pitch up in Hyde Park.

So, is London now ready for Bruce Springsteen? Hope so, I’ve packed my ticket and my suitcase. See you there.