Bruce Springsteen Dedicates Performance to the Late James Gandolfini

By: Jun. 21, 2013
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Bruce Springsteen, the quitessential 'Jersey Boy', dedicated a performance of his entire 'Born to Run' album to the late James Gandolfini. Gandolfini, another New Jersey native, was a great friend to Bruce. Performing in Coventry, England, Springsteen let his music speak for itself.

The crowd was in for a great treat as he was already 11 songs into his show when he stopped to tell the crowd that he would be playing 'Born to Run' in its entirety before firing up 'Thunder Road.' Springsteen never disappoints and he would go on to play six encores including 'Born in the U.S.A.' and 'We Are Alive.' The entire concert lasted more than three hours and included over 30 songs.

Steven Van-Zandt, Springsteen's longtime backup guitarist and co-star to Gandolfini on 'the Sopranos', was quoted as saying: 'I have lost a brother and a best friend. The world has lost one of the greatest actors of all time...Maureen and I send our deepest sympathy and love to Deborah, Michael, Lily and all of Jimmy's family.'

Actor Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby Baccalieri on 'the Sopranos', said 'Jimmy was a dear friend and like a brother to me. He was a great actor and a great father. I will miss him terribly. I am very sad.'

MTV VJ and producer of 120 Minutes, Matt Pinfield paid his respects. 'Sorry to hear James Gandolfini died...He was a Rutgers guy and a Melody regular in the early days. Not to forget his acting ability. Sad day.'

Sopranos Blogger Soprano Sue Sadik expressed her grief 'Last time I saw Jimmy, he shouted out ... 'Hey! Soprano Sue!' I just looked at him and deadpanned him, 'Soprano Sue died when the show ended... He just gave me a thoughtful look and said, 'Yeah, same with Tony Soprano.' My deepest sympathy is extended to his family and friends on their unexpected lost. The state of New Jersey lost an extremely talented son.'

Fans called in to New Jersey Radio Station 101.5 to react and express grief. Some asked Governor Chris Christie if he planned to lower the flags to half mast, the same tribute he made for Whitney Houston. No word yet on if he will but he tweeted a statement of his reaction.

'I have gotten to know Jimmy & many of the other actors in the Sopranos cast & I can say that each of them are an individual NJ treasure,...Mary Pat & I express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Gandolfini's wife & children, and our prayers are with them at this terrible time.'


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