Austin audiences got a sneak preview of SXSW’s worst kept secret as Bruce Springsteen dropped in on the Austin Music Awards the day before his SXSW “secret”, invite- and contest winners-only show.
As Austin legend Alejandro Escovedo worked the crowd with a steady stream of guests, he invited “a guitar player” up and Springsteen provided uncharacteristically searing lead guitar shots for the set.
Joe Ely and Garland Jeffreys crowded the stage to the delight of the crowd and the show stopper was a crazed version of the Stones Beast of Burden.
There were audible females shrieks as the Boss intoned “Ain’t I hot enough, ain’t I rich enough?”
Escovedo and Springsteen share a manager Jon Landau and the good buddies were delighted to share a stage for three songs. And Austin was glad they did.
