Pre-Glory Days: The Springsteen Tapes
Hear Songs From The 1967 Recordings
Springsteen sings lead and plays guitar with The Castiles:
'Suzanne' by Leonard Cohen
'Mr. Jones' by Bob Alfano and Bruce Springsteen
'Catch the Wind' by Donovan
Extended Interviews
George Theiss, The Castiles' Lead Singer
Charles Cross, author of 'Backstreets'
Bobby Alfano, The Castiles' Organist
In September 1967, an Episcopal priest named Father Fred Coleman set up a tape recorder at The Left Foot, a church-owned teen center in Freehold, New Jersey. He wanted to capture the music of a popular local high school band as they played for the center's opening night. It was the first live recording of Bruce Springsteen.
The Castiles in 1965. From left to right, Frank Marziotti, Bruce Springsteen, George Theiss, Paul Popkin and Bart Haynes. Bobby Alfano joined soon after this photo was taken. Castiles' publicity photo hide caption
The Castiles in 1965. From left to right, Frank Marziotti, Bruce Springsteen, George Theiss, Paul Popkin and Bart Haynes. Bobby Alfano joined soon after this photo was taken.
Castiles' publicity photoThe man who would be Boss was just 17 when his band, The Castiles, first played at The Left Foot. Admission was $1.50.
Coleman used a Sony stereo reel-to-reel deck and two microphones, which he placed on the floor by the band. "I just knew that The Castiles were a quality band, and I would like to maybe just get them down on tape," he tells reporter Mark Urycki from member station WKSU.
Urycki listens in on the historical recordings and catches up with members of the band.