The BStreet Band will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday at Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe.
In 1973, BStreet bandleader Willie Forte had a life-changing experience in fellow high school star Joe Maddon’s Dodge Dart. They were cruising their native Hazleton when Maddon, now manager of baseball’s Chicago Cubs, popped in an eight-track cassette of the second album from a New Jersey musician Springsteen he thought Forte would enjoy which he did.
Aside from Forte on vocals and keyboards, the BStreet band features: Glenn Stuart, lead vocals, guitar and congas; Steve Baranian, vocals and lead guitar; Steve “Poz” Pozzelanti, drums; Steve “The Phantom” Myers, saxophone and vocals; and Steve “The Count” Lopresto, bass guitar.
For more than 34 years, Forte and his comrades have performed all over and off the map, including: parties with Springsteen lookalikes; gigs with Clarence Clemons, the late saxophonist in Springsteen’s E Street Band; and opening slots for the Boss’ final shows at the now-demolished Spectrum in Philadelphia.
The New Jersey-born Springsteen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, has released 18 studio albums to date. Eleven of his albums have topped Billboard’s album sales chart, including 1980′s “The River,” 1984′s mega-selling “Born in the U.S.A.” and 2002′s “The Rising.” His last four studio albums — 2007′s “Magic” through 2014′s “High Hopes” — all hit No. 1.
On Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart, Springsteen scored 18 top 40 hits, 12 which hit the top 10. His biggest hits include “Hungry Heart,” “Dancing in the Dark” and “Glory Days,” among others. His classic mid-1970s live recording of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” appeared on the B-side of the “My Hometown” single in 1985.
Springsteen’s E-Street Band — including Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez, who occasionally appears with the BStreet Band — was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of the show. For information, call 570-325-0249 or visit mcohjt.com.
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