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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN signing in the mail,.......... I have never heard of even one successful story.

After seeing Bruce Springsteen in concert on 1980's "The River" tour, I knew I had just seen an amazing artist. However, it was the 1984's "Born In The USA" tour and the genesis of starting up my autograph collection at about the same time that I knew I just had to obtain his signature. But how?

Like many people fresh into collectability, I wrote to him. I wrote to him via CBS records, to Jon Landau Management, and to addresses found in Hollywood Celebrity shops that listed address in New York City and Rumson, New Jersey. In 1985/1986 alone, I must have sent out over a dozen parcels and spent and easy $300.00+ on the items inside my packages, S&H, and never once did I recieve a response or any return parcel.

It was soon after I learned that Springsteen bought a house here in L.A. off of Tower Lane, and this east coaster was now living west coast. I wrote then to that address, yet again met with not even a blip of a response. I even drove to this address and stuck a package in the mailbox myself. Same non response. I would take days off work and wait several houses down the street seeing if he might drive away and then I could ask him at a public place, perhaps for a signature. Never did that gate ever open. For 3 years I tried waiting, writing, writing and waiting. Always the big fat goose egg for a response. Finally, in 1987, during the "Tunnel of Love" tour I was able to obtain his autograph in person as he stopped to sign, very briefly, as he was leaving the L.A. Sports Arena and later that night at a resturant on Wilshire Blvd.

Yes, I have been able in the last 25+ years to obtain Bruce's signature in person here in L.A., in Phoenix, Denver, Cleveland, and feel ever so fortunate for every encounter, every autograph. With that said, wherever I go, the story remains so much the same in talking with other Bruce Springsteen fans.

I have heard dozens and dozens of stories from fans at concerts after concerts about the hundreds of dollars that each of these many, many fans have spent writing to Bruce Springsteen and never recieving a response, with their item is lost in the system. I have seen Bruce Springsteen 33 times in concert, and at about half during about the last 20 of these shows, I have heard stories from people who too have tried every concievable way of mailing a request for an autograph to Bruce Springsteen, all to no avail. I have no idea if this man has ever signed any autograph request "in the mail", but I as a fan and a collector have never heard of even one successful story (and I have heard many of these stories).

Here is the kicker, and basically the point of my post: Bruce really is one of the most friendliest and generous of autograph signers, just as long as he doesn't think you are requesting with the intent to resale. If he feels you are a fan, ...........you are in! Bruce also has a fairly nice and very selective shopping cart, through his website. Isn't it time for this very admired artist to marry his incredible fan generosity with the fan desire to have autographs? He, above all, is the prime example of why an artist should sell pre signed autographs through their web site. Fans are spending tens of thousands of dollars (if not so much more) on wasted attempts to get his autograph through the mail. Bruce Springsteen loves his fans and at times is incredibly generous by signing both before and after concert shows.

How hard is it to figure out that happiness for all, could be just "clicks" away, with easy profit for the Springsteen camp, should he simply decide to sell, what fans are allready spending so much money on. He could set aside one day (one day) of his very busy 365 day schedule (just one day, ....okay perhaps two) and sign a few boxes of tour books (he currently has 6 different ones for sale) or a couple boxes of 8X10's. Here is a link to his store:

http://brucespringsteen.fanfire.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Store.woa/wa...

Bruce Springsteen if you are out there, there is a darkness at the edge of town when fans are wasting so much money trying to obtain your signature, when there is a safer, more profitable, and easier way for both sides to win/win. It would be glory days indeed if Bruce would sell presigned autographs through his website.

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Tags: books, bruce, concert, fans, mail, springsteen, tour

Comment by Tim Henderson on June 16, 2010 at 7:57am
Stephen,
I ran accross Bruce staying at the 4 seasons in atlanta, no one new he was in town but I saw him and found out he was recording his new album, I went to the studio and waited patiently after a couple hours a man walked to my car (who I recognized as Bruce's Manager Lenny Sullivan) and asked what I was doing? I told him I saw that Bruce was in town and wanted an autograph. Like they always do he said that not happening he is too busy blah blah blah and told me to leave the premisses. I asked if I coyuld give him my item and come back to the studio and pick it up from the secretary there. Hesaid no I cant do that but write down your name and address, I will have Bruce sign it to you and I will mail it back. Well needless to say that was many years ago and I have recieved nothing yet!
Comment by Stephen Duncan on June 16, 2010 at 12:03pm
Two things Tim:

1) Bruce records in Atlanta (as well as in NY& L.A.) at the Southern Tracks recording studio and at Silent Sound Studios on his last (at least 4 LP's). It's one of his homes away from home when he records/mixes and engeneer's his albums. You were at the right place at the right time.

2) I have handed more stuff to Springsteen's management that can fill a city landfill (almost) and never got jack didly mailed back. You and I are on the same path of attempting and with just about the same result.

That is why when he is on tour, especially during "The Rising" and "Reunion" tours, I waited like a dog at his hotels front porch. Many people tell me that since I have over 30+ items signed by him I should not complain. It isn't a complaint,.......... it's just information as so others will know what they are up againsts.

BTW, in 26 years of collecting Springsteen autographs, I estimate I have EASILY spent just over $10,000.00 in what it took to collect his signatures (but that does include concert tickets to his awesome shows
Comment by Joe OBrien on June 22, 2010 at 6:00pm
My friend worked for Rumson, NJ Police Dept and all of Bruces mail that came to his house was delivered to the off duty police officer parked in the mobile van after you entered the gate. Ive been lucky enough to meet and pet his dogs and while they were very nice and licked my hand, refused any and all autograph requests even after I gave them a milkbone dog biscuit.
Comment by Stephen Duncan on October 5, 2010 at 3:42pm
I am VERY CURIOUS as to speak with anyone who obtains Bruce Springsteens signature in person these days. I am very curious as to how he is signing both a) one on one & b) in a crowd. Please contact me though my website if anyone is obtaining him these days.
www.therisingcollection.com

Thank You...........
Stephen

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