First Appeared in the Barrie Advance
Sunday Sep 03, 2006

What would Bruce do?
(Guest Column by Elaine Murray)

I spent last weekend completely traumatized by the news that Bruce Springsteen – who I admire most in the entire universe – had left his wife of 18 years for another woman.

“How could this be,” I wondered, after my sister informed me that news pundits were reporting Bruce was involved with a widow he met during one of his fundraising concerts following the 9/11 tragedy in New York. It simply could not be true – Bruce was totally devoted to Patti, the mother of his three children. But when I hopped online to Google this bit of spiteful tripe, I found several newspaper websites – the New York Post among them – reporting it to be true.

But before I could buy into any bad press about my man, I phoned my good friend Kimberly to find out what she had heard. She was just as shocked as I was. Kimberly is a bigger Bruce aficionado than myself. She even based one of her university papers on the lyrics from his “Born in the USA” album. She knows the words to every song he has written and has seen him in concert numerous times over the past 20 years. Just a few days prior, we had been joking – well, with a touch of seriousness – about basing our critical life decisions on, “What would Bruce do?” I mean, how could we go wrong living by the Springsteen code? Here is a man with a successful career spanning over 30 years – and if you’ve attended any of his recent concerts – one he quite obviously still enjoys. He has a happy family life, is an avid and active volunteer in several humanitarian causes, isn’t afraid to speak his mind and is a gifted musician, singer, songwriter and poet.

Springsteen writes about the common man – the factory worker, the Vietnam vet. His lyrics can capture human tragedy in a few spare words: “Woke up this morning to an empty sky,” and “Get killed just for living in your American skin.” His music can rocket you to your feet with the sheer joy of its beat and energy. He can still an audience simply using his voice and the steady drum beat of his boot. His was the music of my high school years. And I know I’m not the only female out there who wanted to be Sandy, Rosalita or Crazy Janie, racing in the street with him.

And while Bruce may not have the smoothest voice compared to other singers, his appeal is really more about the man – the music and poetry that emanates from him, the inspiring messages, the intricate stories he weaves. I once dated a guy who did not understand the attraction of Springsteen – his voice or his music. I was completely flabbergasted by this (and Kimberly couldn’t understand what I saw in the boyfriend). He eventually broke up with me, proving he didn’t have good taste in anything!

But while we all have our heroes, when it comes down to real life, these heroes are merely human. And I admit to being a little disappointed that mine had apparently let me down. I didn’t want to believe the reports and a part of me knew – or rather hoped – it was all just a big mistake. And if it was all true, the redecorating would be massive. The newspaper clippings in my office from his Toronto concerts would have to come down, as would the numerous framed posters in my house – one a reprint of the yummy black and white album cover from Born to Run. And my extensive music collection (home, office and car) would have to be trashed.

As the new week dawned, I was thankfully spared the pain. All is right in my world now and there is no Darkness on the Edge of my Town. On his official website, Bruce denounced the ugly rumours about his marriage, stating quite unequivocally that he and Patti – with whom he has spent the best 18 years of his life – were just as committed to their family and each other as on the day they were first married.

And you know what? Call me Crazy Janie but I believe him. Bruce, sorry for doubting you, even for a minute.

(Elaine Murray is a local writer who has hijacked the column of the vacationing Donna Douglas.)

- 30 -