THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts features 10 never-before released performances by Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, filmed at the MUSE benefit concerts held in Madison Square Garden. Edited by longtime Springsteen collaborator Thom Zimny from the original 16mm film alongside remixed audio from Bob Clearmountain, the set represent the highest quality and best recorded performances from an explosive, ascendant and rarely-filmed era of the E Street Band.
“A few years ago, I started re-examining the filmed archives for Bruce and the band’s appearances at the No Nukes concerts of 1979,” said Zimny. “I quickly realized that these were the best performances and best filming from the band’s legendary ’70s, and dedicated myself to bringing out the full potential of the footage. Having worked as Bruce’s principal director and editor for the last 20 years, I can say without reservation that this newly re-edited, re-mixed and restored 90-minute film is the gold standard for Bruce and the band live during one of their greatest creative periods.”
Adds Springsteen’s longtime manager Jon Landau: “The ’70s were a golden period in the history of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, and The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts is the greatest document of that era we will ever have. It’s a pure rock show from beginning to end, the energy level is transcendent, and the mastery of the art and the craft of rock music is awe inspiring.”
A composite of two performances captured during the multi-day No Nukes concerts, the set includes then-unreleased versions of The River and Sherry Darling, live staples like Badlands, Born To Run and Thunder Road, plus covers of Buddy Holly’s Rave On and a version of Maurice Williams’ Stay featuring special guests Jackson Browne, Tom Petty and Rosemary Butler. Noted film producer Jon Kilik, who served in the camera crew for the concerts and penned liner notes for this release, reflects that “magic was in the air. The energy on stage and from the crowd was beyond measure and description.” The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts were captured while Springsteen and the E Street Band were in the midst of recording The River and just after the conclusion of their breakout 1978 Darkness Tour, marking a rare chance to witness the future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers comprehensively in the heart of their reputation-making rise.”
