Bruce Springsteen said he was sorry. Most of his fans aren’t ready to forgive him. The Boss put out a big emotional apology this week, admitting that his political speeches on stage had pushed away the people who made him a star. But according to a new poll, his fans decided it came too late and wasn’t nearly enough.
“I’m sorry for dragging my own politics up on stage with me,” the Boss said. “I’d love a shot at a fresh start.”
The apology came in a short video posted to his social media accounts. Springsteen, looking tired and emotional, spoke directly to the camera. He talked about his roots in New Jersey, the fans who had followed him for decades, and his regret about letting politics take over his shows.
It was meant to be a turning point. It turned out to be a reminder of how much damage had been done.
In a New York/New Jersey area poll, just 25 percent of his fans said they still think well of him.
That’s a stunning number for an artist whose music is woven into the identity of the region. For decades, a Springsteen concert in New Jersey was almost a holiday. Families passed down their love of his music from one generation to the next.
Now, many of those same fans say they’re done for good.
“I grew up on ‘Born to Run,'” said a contractor from Toms River. “But he spent years telling people like me we were the problem. I’m not paying to hear him apologize now.”
Picture doing your thing for 40-plus years and then tossing the whole thing in the trash for wokeness. That’s how many fans see it.
Springsteen’s slide began when his concerts turned increasingly political. He used his stage time to attack President Trump, criticize conservative voters, and push progressive causes. Some fans cheered. Many others quietly stopped buying tickets.
Ticket sales on his recent tours softened. Reports surfaced that he was considering retirement. The apology appeared to be his attempt to turn things around.
Some fans welcomed it. A small but vocal group said they were glad he admitted his mistakes and urged others to give him another chance.
“Nobody’s perfect,” one longtime fan said. “He said sorry. That’s more than most people do.”
But many others felt it was too little, too late. “It’s like a guy who cheats on you for ten years and then says he wants to start over,” said one woman from Staten Island. “No thanks.”
People close to Springsteen say he was surprised by how harsh the reaction was. He reportedly believed the apology would open the door to reconnecting with fans. Too bad. The damage is already done, and a lot of his fans are done with him for good.
