ROB DeMARTIN
Bruce Springsteen performs at the Amalie Arena in Tampa on Feb. 1, 2023.
When Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band performed The Standells’ “Dirty Water” at the TD Garden in Boston on March 20, I started to think about other classic garage-rock songs they have performed over the years, and decided to put together a collection of YouTube videos of them. You can watch them below.
The term “garage-rock” is loosely defined as raw, simple, exuberant rock played by bands primarily in the late ’50 and ’60s (though there are still young garage-rock bands today). These were often the kind of bands that were just starting out, and still practicing in a garage. In many cases, they were one-hit wonders.
As a genre, garage-rock has its aficionados, including E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt, who has his own garage-rock channel on SiriusXM satellite radio.
Here are the videos, starting with the new “Dirty Water” and then proceeding in reverse chronological order. I realize that this collection is not complete, and that some of the songs may stretch the boundaries of what is considered garage-rock. (As I wrote above, garage-rock can only be loosely defined). I also know that some of Springsteen’s own songs — “Ramrod,” “Cadillac Ranch,” “Sherry Darling” etc. — could be considered garage-rock, but I have limited myself, here, to covers.
“Dirty Water.” 1966 hit for The Standells.
E Street performance: March 20, 2023 at TD Garden, Boston.
“I Fought the Law.” 1966 hit for The Bobby Fuller Four.
E Street performance: Feb. 18, 2017 at Hope Estate in Hunter Valley, Australia.
“Treat Her Right.” 1965 hit for Roy Head & the Traits.
E Street performance: May 13, 2014 at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.
“Gloria.” 1965 hit for “Them,” 1966 hit for “The Shadows of Knight.”
E Street performance: May 1, 2014 at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa.
“Shout.” 1959 hit for The Isley Brothers.
E Street performance: April 29, 2014 at BB&T Arena in Sunrise, Fla.
“Louie Louie.” 1963 hit for The Kingsmen.
E Street performance: April 19, 2014 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.
“Mustang Sally.” 1965 hit for Sir Mack Rice, 1966 hit for Wilson Pickett.
E Street performance: April 19, 2014 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.
“Summertime Blues.” 1958 hit for Eddie Cochran.
E Street performance: Feb. 11, 2014 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide, Australia.
“96 Tears.” 1966 hit for ? & the Mysterians.
E Street performance (backing Garland Jeffreys): May 28, 2012 at the Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf, The Netherlands.
“California Sun.” 1963 hit for The Rivieras.
E Street performance: April 26, 2012 at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
“Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love).” 1966 hit for The Swingin’ Medallions
E Street performance (with members of The Swingin’ Medallions): Sept. 16, 2009 at Bi-Lo Center, Greenville, S.C.
“Mony Mony.” 1968 hit for Tommy James & the Shondells.
E Street performance: May 23, 2009 at Izod Center, East Rutherford.
“Hang on Sloopy.” 1964 hit for The Vibrations, 1965 hit for The McCoys.
E Street performance: May 2, 2008 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
“Wild Thing.” 1966 hit for The Troggs.
E Street performance: April 24, 2009 at XL Center, Hartford.
“Wooly Bully.” 1965 hit for Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs.
E Street performance: Aug. 30, 2008 at Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary Festival in Milwaukee.
“Diddy Wah Diddy.” Recorded by Bo Diddley in 1956.
E Street performance: Sept. 6, 2003 at Fenway Park, Boston.
“Twist and Shout.” 1962 hit for The Isley Brothers.
E Street performance (with Sting, Peter Gabriel, Branford Marsalis, Youssou N’Dour and other guests): Oct. 15, 1988 at Amnesty Tour stop at Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.
“You Can’t Sit Down.” 1963 hit for The Dovells
E Street performance: Dec. 8, 1978 at The Summit, Houston.
“Not Fade Away.” Recorded by Buddy Holly & the Crickets in 1957.
E Street performance: Sept. 19, 1978 at Capitol Theatre, Passaic.
“Quarter to Three.” 1961 hit for Gary U.S. Bonds.
E Street performance: Nov. 18, 1975 at Hammersmith Odeon, London.
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