Friday, June 24, 2005

Bruce Springsteen’s Biggest Michiana Fan

When I first came to South Bend I fell in love with the local news. It was, hands down, the best thing on TV. Every night I remained captivated by the sheer mayhem, violence, and yes, Hoosierness, that was so energetically covered by our local stations. I watched in fear and trembling as the Double Doppler pinpointed a storm bearing down on little Plymouth. I cheered as some helicopter made a mad dash from one football game to another. And I remember, with sweet sweet horror, how this one young reporter, I think her name was Nolene, was sent out during a raging snowstorm to report on the status of Route 80. With baited breath I worried that she might be blown away that night. Her feat reminded me of the fearless English explorer, R.F. Scott, who left his base in Antarctica so that others might have his rations. Oh, the effort these newscasters put into insuring that we can be safe inside our homes and never have to brave the cruel elements outside!

My relationship with the local news went so far that when I went back to New York a good friend of mine sent me some video of the news so that I wouldn’t lose touch with my newly adopted state. Just imagine: there I was in the Big Apple, with a million and one earthly delights at my beck and call, and what was I doing on more than one evening? Watching Mo and Terry, Cindy Ward and Debra Daniels, and their assorted side-kicks, explain the world from a Michiana point of view.

Now everyone knows that one of our biggest newscasters is Mike Collins. I have always found him to exude authority with his big voice and commanding presence. Day in and day out we can count on Mike to report the news. But how well do we really know the man? I for one was astonished to learn that he is a huge Bruce Springsteen fan. Ok, I’m from New Jersey, I’ve hung out in Asbury Park, listened to Springsteen’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town” and “Nebraska” albums countless times , and found his post-9/11 recent album, “The Rising,” truly moving. I’m partial to the guy, in other words. But my relationship with Bruce pales in comparison to that of Mike Collins. I mean the man has seen Springsteen...better known as the Boss to his fans...57 times. Let me repeat that number: 57 times. What have you done 57 times in your life?

Mike was kind enough to let me look at his Bruce collection the other day, and all I can say is that it is Michiana’s Grotto to a rock God. True, it doesn’t have the candles and the heartfelt letter by the saintly Tom Dooley that make Notre Dame’s Grotto such an amazing place. But what it lacks in religious mystery it more than makes up with autographed album covers, photos, ticket stubs, and more than a few bootlegs. And like the more famous Grotto, you can just feel the presence of another person in Mike’s room. Mike’s wife is a real good sport, if you ask me.

I also learned that Mike and Springsteen have more than a few similarities. They are both working class kids, had complicated relationships with their dads, and both fell under the majesty of John Steinbeck at an early age. Mike told me with real passion how he had just moved to a new town his senior year in high school, didn’t have any friends, and thus spent the year devouring the works of John Steinbeck. Bruce’s under-rated album, “The Ghost of Tom Joad” should give you an idea that he too takes Steinbeck very, very seriously. Mike also told me how in 1981 he got to know Bruce on a whole different level. At a concert at Notre Dame, Mike was invited into Bruce’s dressing room and they came to share a couple of Heinekens. Bruce then put on one of his legendary 3 hour plus shows. For Mike, that night was when heaven came to earth.

Mike also told me this terrific story of how he bonded with his teenage son at a Springsteen show. The upshot was that he got Bruce to play a song entitled “Loose Ends.” Mike then played a live version of it for me. So there I was listening to a very, very loud song in the den/grotto/shrine of Mike Collins. Again, let me remind you that I was talking with Mike Collins, not Wavy Gravy here. And when he told me that Bruce is every good thing about rock and roll because he loves it and respects it, I couldn’t agree more. I can only hope that Bruce continues to rock on and that Mike is there to go along for the ride. 

Broadcast by Jonathan Nashel on June 24, 2005
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