Bruce Springsteen to release legendary live performances on film
The Boss on film!
Two benefit performances by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are set to be released as a new live film.
The performances were part of the No Nukes Concerts in aid of MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy) which was formed in 1979 by musicians Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, John Hall and campaigner Harvey Wasserman.
MUSE advocated against the use of nuclear energy and the legendary gigs helped to spread the message and raise vital funds for their mission.
In September 1979, followed by a rally attended by over 200,000 people, the series of five No Nukes concerts took place at Madison Square Garden with a stellar line-up of artist including Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Carly Simon, Chaka Khan and Tom Petty.
Fans of The Boss can now watch two of these iconic shows which many argue are the band’s best early work. The performances will be released as ‘The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts’ made up of remastered and remixed audio from the original film.
The No Nukes concerts were previously made into a film and album of the same name in 1980 to document the legendary performances.
Formed in 1974, the E Street Band have been the 'Born to Run' hit-maker's backing band more-or-less since it's inception and continue to perform live together. Most recently, Bruce Springsteen confirmed that the band would again be going on tour in 2022.
Check out some of the best music biopics:
Tony Wilson (Factory Records) - 24 Hour Party People (2002)
Released in 2002, 24 Hour Party People depicts the story of the Manchester music scene from 1976 to 1992 and the revolutionary independent record label Factory Records. The film begins with the explosion of Punk Rock in the late 1970s, it then moves through the 1980s and into the 'Madchester' rave scene of the 1990s revolving around the famous Haçienda nightclub.
The main character is Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, played by Steve Coogan. The film dramatises events that actually happened, rumours and urban legends surrounding the scene, with characters often breaking the fourth wall to speak directly to the viewer. It features the careers of bands including the Happy Mondays, Joy Division, New Order and A Certain Ratio.
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Johnny Cash - Walk The Line (2005)
Walk The Line tells the life story of legendary American Country singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. It is based on two of his autobiographies, Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words (1975), and Cash: The Autobiography (1997).
It follows the story from his early life, romance with musician June Carter and his ascent into the domination of the Country music genre. The film was released in November 2005 and stars Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix.
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Joy Division - Control (2007)
Control, starring Samantha Morton, Sam Riley and Alexandra Maria Lara follows the late singer Ian Curtis and Joy Division. Starting in 1975, the film begins with teenagers Ian Curtis (Sam Riley) and Debbie Woodruff (Samantha Morton) marrying, before they attend a Sex Pistols concert a year later with some friends who are starting a band.
Eventually after a name change, Joy Division is formed, releasing many iconic hits in the 70s and 80s. The film follows the band in their early years, until the sad death of Ian, after the breakdown of his marriage to Debbie.
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Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
The film Bohemian Rhapsody was released in 2018 and tells the story of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury from his humble beginnings to one of the biggest stars in the world. The film culminates at the legendary Live Aid gig at Wembley Stadium in 1985.
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Elton John - Rocketman (2019)
The hugely popular Elton John biopic Rocketman was released in May 2019, following the singer's life from his early years through until the 1980s. Elton wrote a brand new song, '(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again', for the film, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
It starred Taron Egerton as Elton and Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin. Elton's husband David was a co-producer on the film, which also won Taron a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
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Alan McGee (Creation Records) - Creation Stories (2021)
Released in 2021, Creation Stories tells the story of Alan McGee the founder of Creation Records. The film was adapted by screenwriter Irvine Welsh from the Creation boss' 2013 autobiography of the same name.
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Aretha Franklin - Respect (2021)
Respect is a music biopic released in 2021 about the life of one of the greatest American singers and civil rights activists, Aretha Franklin. Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls, portrayed the 'Respect' singer in the film.
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Elvis Presley - Elvis (2022)
As the name suggests, Elvis is a biopic about Elvis Presley. The film follows Elvis (Austin Butler) from his humble beginnings and his Mississippi roots as he becomes a rock and roll icon. Meanwhile his manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) guides and controls his fame. The film was released on 24th June 2022 and directed Baz Luhrmann.
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Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2022)
I Wanna Dance With Somebody is a film about the incredible life and career of singer and actress Whitney Houston. It was released in December 2022 and stars actress Naomi Ackie as Whitney.
Back in 2021, Naomi spoke to ET about taking on the role, saying: "I'm going to try my best because that woman - it sends shivers down my spine how much she means to me, the world, Black women, African American women. I'm going to throw my everything into making sure she is represented properly.
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Bob Marley - One Love (2024)
One Love, the biopic about Bob Marley, was released in February 2024. It is a film about the life and career of the reggae legend, with actor Kingsley Ben-Adir playing the lead role in the biopic. A synopsis for the film says: 'Discover Bob's powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.'
The film, which was made in association with the late singer's family also starred huge names including Lashana Lynch, Michael Gandolfini, James Norton and Tosin Cole.
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Bob Dylan - A Complete Unknown (2024)
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Along with Timothée Chalamet, the cast includes Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro.
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