1973‐05‐01: Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA (1973-05-01)

One show, triple bill, held in the sold out 2,000 seat Ahmanson Theatre, with Springsteen and band opening for Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show and headliner New Riders of the Purple Sage. This concert is often confused with the private CBS Sales Convention show (see July 27 for details). However the Ahmanson Theatre show was a normal, public admission event, but incorporating an unusual format. Organized and promoted by CBS as ‘A Week To Remember’, seven consecutive nightly shows, each show featuring three different CBS artists. Bruce and the band flew to L.A. on April 30, stayed at the Hilton hotel, performed on May 1 and returned east on May 3. Tokyo was preceded by the Ducky Slattery monologue and at the conclusion of Thundercrack a giant Garden State Parkway sign descended from the ceiling, the only time this prop was ever utilized. Twist and Shout was the encore. Springsteen’s set was received well in the May 19, 1973 issue of Billboard, which said If any one artist captured the essence of what the week was really all about it was Bruce Springsteen. He has an appeal that borders on the universal. His songs are interesting, thoughtfully worked out and often exciting. Material aside, he has about him that glow, the elusive X factor that spells STAR. Comparisons to Van Morrison and Bob Dylan have been made but he is no carbon, rather a glowing and vibrant performer in his own right.