Bruce Springsteen performed “Because the Night,” the 1978 Top 20 hit he co-wrote with Patti Smith, at “People Have the Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith,” the tribute concert that took place tonight at Carnegie Hall in New York.
You can watch, below, a video of the performance, at which Springsteen was backed by Tony Shanahan (of Smith’s band) and Charlie Sexton on guitars, Flea (of The Red Hot Chili Peppers) on bass, Benmont Tench (of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers) on piano, and Steve Jordan (the current Rolling Stones touring drummer) on drums.
“We love ya, Patti,” said Springsteen, after taking the stage. “Patti gave me this big hit, right here, I’m about to sing. If I had sung this song, it would not have been a hit. It needed her voice, and her incredible lyrics, so Patti, I have to thank you, so dearly, for our one big hit together. Thank you, darling.”
I will add more details from the show — which included a surprise appearance by Johnny Depp — when they become available.
The show was part of an annual series of tribute concerts that raise money for music education. Michael Stipe, Jesse Malin, Courtney Barnett, Ben Harper and Susanna Hoffs were among the many other artists scheduled to perform, with Scarlett Johansson, Michael Shannon, Jim Jarmusch and Sean Penn reading Smith’s poetry.
Patti Smith herself sang “People Have the Power,” with Springsteen, Lenny Kaye, and many of the evening’s performers.
The Fat Angel Sings 