re: Is Springsteen the ultimate “you had to be there” musician?

Nice post! I listened to this as it happened and recorded it directly from the radio on my trusty Realistic brand combined radio/record player/tape deck (needed two 8-track tapes) ... your set list omits the last song of the encore, Twist and Shout. Only reason that I know this is because my second 8-track tape stopped just as Bruce started the opening intro. I practically wore out those tapes and was bummed for a long time that such a great ending was omitted from my "bootleg". It appears as the last song on the link...check it out because it captures the energy and enthusiasm perfectly.

I was really disappointed that I couldn't go to the Agora show. I was too young and didn't have anyone to take me. But a few short months later I went to my first rock concerts with some older friends...Bruce live at the Richfield Coliseum just outside Cleveland on successive nights on NYE 12/31/78, and 1/1/79. Its been all downhill since then ha ha. Below is the set list from the NYE show...note that it contained some material that showed up on the River like The Ties that Bind and Point Blank. Back then you heard it once and then had to wait a few years until it was released! Also, joined onstage by SS Johnny for The Fever.

Badlands
Streets Of Fire
Rendezvous
Spirit In The Night
Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Independence Day
The Promised Land
Prove It All Night
Pretty Flamingo
Thunder Road
Jungleland
The Ties That Bind
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
The Fever
Fire
Candy's Room
Because The Night
Rave On
Auld Lang Syne
Good Rockin' Tonight
Point Blank
I Get Mad
Mona
She's The One
Preacher's Daughter
Backstreets
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)