rajeev@sftri.UUCP (S.Rajeev) (10/13/84)
From Rolling Stone (October 25th issue): REAGAN KNOWS WHO'S BOSS Who's the right wing's latest darling? Bruce Springsteen, to judge from the recent comments of President Reagan and conservative columnist George F. Will. "If all Americans...made their products with as much energy and confidence as Springsteen and his merry band," wrote Will in his September 13th column after attending a Springsteen show, "there would be no need for Congress to be thinking about protectionism". Will admitted he didn't have "a clue about Springsteen's politics". Six days later, at a New Jersey rally, Reagan did Will one better. America's future, he said, "rests in the message of hope, in the songs of a man that so many young Americans admire, New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. Helping you make these dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about." At press time, there was no comment from the Springsteen camp. And it remained unclear exactly which Springsteen songs Reagan's speech writers had been listening to. When one Reagan-campaign spokesman was informed that the president had referred to Springsteen, he replied: "Omigod. He didn't say 'This Gun's For Hire', did he?"
gtaylor@lasspvax.UUCP (Greg Taylor) (10/16/84)
During one of his New York shows (don't remember where), Springsteen made reference to Ray-Gun's remarks. His statement was something like, "I hear that the President likes my music. Well, here's one he probably *hasn't* been listening to..." at which point he proceeded to reall off a couple of the "dark" tunes from Nebraska. I only wish he'd been a bit stronger about being co-opted. Maybe we can get Ronnie to listen to Heaven 17, the GO4, or Depeche Mode.... Everything Counts (in large amounts) Greg