Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney cut off at London show for breaking curfew
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Bruce Springsteen's star-studded set at London's Hard Rock Calling event was cut short on Saturday night after the rocker over-ran his curfew.
The Boss thrilled the crowd with a hits-packed, three-hour long gig with his E Street Band, and fans were left delighted when he introduced stars including Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello and John Fogerty to join him onstage in Hyde Park.
However, Springsteen kept his biggest surprise until the end of the concert, when Sir Paul McCartney walked out for the encore.
They sang "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Twist and Shout," but before the superstars could address the crowd, their microphones were cut off due to strict timings for the show.
The crowd chanted, "Turn up the sound", and the pair carried on singing despite the loud speakers being switched off.
E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt was left fuming by the curfew enforcement, and took to his Twitter.com page after the concert to express his anger.
In a series of posts, he writes,
One of the great gigs ever in my opinion. But seriously, when did England become a police state?
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
We break curfews in every country but only English cops needs to "punish us" by not letting us leave until the entire crowd goes.
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
Is there just too much fun in the world? We would have been off by 11 if we'd done one more. On a Saturday night! Who were we disturbing?
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
He added, "The cops got nothing more important to do? How about they go catch some criminals instead of f**king with 80,000 people having a good time?"
He later added:
English cops may be the only individuals left on earth that wouldn't want to hear one more from Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney!
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
I'm sorry but I have to be honest I'm pissed. Like I said, it didn't ruin the great night. But when I'm jamming with McCartney don't bug me!
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
If it's a public transport issue I'm sorry but people are adult enough to go get a train if they need to without the cops pulling the plug!
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
Very proud of our association with Hard Rock Calling and Hard Rock in general and what they're doing for Rock music.
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
Hard Rock would have let us play all night.
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
There's no grudges to be held. Just feel bad for our great fans. Hard Rock is cool. Live Nation is cool. It's some City Council stupid rule.
— Steven Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 15, 2012
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