Recommendations of the Editorial team
Over the last five decades, Bruce Springsteen has had the opportunity to share the stage with artists from all corners of the rock universe. He sang “Don’t Stop Believin'” with Lady Gaga. Accompanied Chuck Berry on “Johnny B. Goode.”Uand even covered Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” alongside Jimmy Fallon in his Neil Young disguise. Here are 18 of his most notable duets and collaborations.
“Whip My Hair” with Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young
The real Neil Young turned down an offer to appear on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon alongside Fallon’s hilarious impersonation of his After the Goldrush self. Bruce Springsteen didn’t hesitate – in 2010, he dressed himself up in Born to Run-era style and sang Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” with a fake Neil Young. The show’s team recreated Springsteen’s look so perfectly that even hardcore fans briefly doubted whether they were really seeing the real boss.
“Stand By Me” with U2
When Bono broke his shoulder on the Joshua Tree tour in 1987, he often let fans on stage to play guitar for him. At the stop at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, he brought Bruce Springsteen on stage to sing “Stand By Me.” “Is he from around here?” Bono joked as the audience roared.
“The River” with Sting
Paris, September 1988: Springsteen performed with Sting at the Amnesty International concert in the Bercy Hall. This tour was the last with the E Street Band before a ten-year hiatus. Sting sang “The River” regularly. Springsteen later said that Sting’s solo career inspired him to temporarily break up his band.
“Come Together” with Axl Rose
In 1994, Axl Rose gave a moving speech for Elton John at his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That same evening he was persuaded to perform the Beatles song “Come Together” with Springsteen. After that, Rose didn’t appear in public for six years.
Thunder Road with Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge called her 1995 duet with Springsteen on “Thunder Road” the highlight of her career. She was so nervous that she forgot the lines on the first try and had to start over.
“Johnny B. Goode” with Chuck Berry
In 1973, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band accompanied Chuck Berry at a legendary concert in Maryland – unfortunately no recording exists. 22 years later they repeated their collaboration at the Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
“One Headlight” with The Wallflowers
At the 1997 MTV Music Awards, Springsteen performed with Jakob Dylan, son of Bob Dylan. Early in his career, Springsteen was often referred to as the “new Bob Dylan” – much to his annoyance. This duet was a humorous play on this old attribution.
“It’s My Life” with Bon Jovi
In 2003, the ultimate New Jersey moment occurred: Jon Bon Jovi joined Springsteen at an Asbury Park Christmas concert to sing “It’s My Life.”