Bruce Springsteen Opens Brooklyn Show with Prince's "Purple Rain"

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(Image credit: Michael Zorn/Getty Images)

Saturday night (April 23), Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band paid tribute to Prince, who died Thursday at age 57.

In fact, the Boss actually opened his show at Brooklyn's Barclays Center with an emotional rendering of Prince's "Purple Rain."

The highlight of what is clearly a heartfelt performance is Nils Lofgren's guitar solo, which sets sail at 3:40. It is proof positive that Lofgren can deliver intense, emotional solos that send listeners’ hearts skyrocketing. It's a fine tribute to a supremely gifted performer.

Damian Fanelli
Damian Fanelli
Editor-in-Chief, Guitar World

Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.