The exhibition “From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen” opens tomorrow at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. It will run from February 17 until September 3, 2012.
What’s on display? Springsteen’s 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, family photos of his childhood, scrapbooks, handwritten lyrics on notebook paper complete with some scribbled out words, guitars, clothes, platinum records, set lists, backstage passes, hotel keys, the Oscar for “Streets of Philadelphia” Springsteen wrote for the opening of Jonathan Demme’s film “Philadelphia” and more.
There are videos to watch, audition tapes to hear, and promotional items to buy.
Originally conceived by Jim Henke, the chief curator of the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, the exhibition is making its first appearance outside of Cleveland where it was a huge hit from April 2009 until February 2011.
“I worked very closely with Bruce and his organization to put this exhibit together,” said Henke. “It’s a comprehensive look at Bruce’s entire career and contains numerous items that have never been seen by the public.”
The Constitution Center’s VP for Exhibitions along with other senior staff members saw the show in Cleveland and wanted to bring it here. CEO David Eisner knows the close relationship the Jersey singer has with Philadelphia fans, and has said “We’ve brought Bruce back home – it originated in Cleveland and we've brought it to his home base.”
Erin McLeary, Exhibition Developer for the Constitution Center worked with the content and made some changes to the artifacts. “We thought this work was an example of free expression that people identify with on many levels,” Ms. McLeary said today in a phone conversation.
“We wanted to highlight the poet of the American experience that Bruce is; The gap between American dream and American reality with certain people; the struggle to achieve the American promise.”
Kevin Gunn, Creative Director at WMMR, Philadelphia’s rock radio station that gave Bruce Springsteen his first airplay, believes it’s appropriate that this exhibition be staged at the National Constitution Center.
“Much of Bruce’s work, in word and deed, is an ongoing examination of the American condition,” the longtime Springsteen fan said today. “And much like the men who fashioned the Constitution as an ‘open-to-interpretation’ mission statement for this experiment of a society, Springsteen has a vision of what America can be, and yet a cold clear eye on what it is.”
Gunn went on to say: “To have this uniquely American success story on display in the shadows of where this nation was conceived and born brings the story full circle. And whether you share or oppose his politics, no one who values what it means to be an American would refute his right to express himself.”
Several events will occur during the show’s run including a screening of “The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town” on March 14. A full listing is available at the National Constitution Center’s website.
From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen
The National Constitution Center
Independence Mall, 525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Tickets 215-409-6700
Group Sales 215-409-6800
Main Number 215-409-6600Museum Hours: M-F 9:30 am – 5 pm Sat 9:30 – 6 pm Sun 12 pm – 5 pmPrices: $24.50 for adults, $23 for seniors and students and $12 for children ages 4-12. Group rates are available
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