Mighty Max Monday Memories: Episode 5

The fifth episode of my Monday Memories series!

[@ericheine2414]

Max remember January 7th 1975, it was a Tuesday at about 11:30, when you and Steven and Bruce and Chris had me put on the ribbed neck turtleneck and pose as Mike Appel.
Steven shot the video. You had turned the time and date stamp on the video camera off. You were on my right Bruce was on my left and Clarence Clemons was over my shoulder. I can't believe he included that video in the 6 disc spiral ring notebook "Making of the Darkness On The Edge Of Town" released in 2010. I'm that guy. That's my notebook. I'm that 16 year old kid. You used to always wear those dark blue henley shirts. You and Steven were always very kind. Except when Bruce was around and then you both got a little uptight. I'm glad to see you doing well. A lot of people aren't that lucky. Congratulations.
Thanks for not being too stuck-up.
The year before Bob Johnston came through the studio with Roy Buchanan, and before that John Mellencamp. I was really pleased to have set mics for Roy Buchanan on
Dual Soliloquy. I sat in a chair about three feet away from him well it was being recorded. The track is included in Roy Buchanan's box set. Bob Johnston wasn't given credit. This is a really fine piece of guitar work.
I later ran into Bob Johnston in 2000.
Bob recorded Bob Dylan's Nashville Skylines. I said to Bob Johnston Dylan was so good anybody could have recorded him. Bob looked at me and this was his response
" I did it and I didn't fuck it up."
I said oh my God that is the perfect answer. We both laughed.
I wish you well Max. If you have an opportunity to speak to Bruce Springsteen please remember me to him. Tell him I would like him to pay me for the lyrics I provided him.
Bruce should keep his word.
Those lyrics worked out for him and it was a really good deal. I invited him swimming in my parents pool.
I told him they wouldn't mind, that they would understand. I said to Bruce "when you're rich and famous I can come and swim in your pool."
He smiled and laughed and said wouldn't that be nice. I think Bruce owes me. Men keep their word.
I'm older and could use the money for retirement. Thank you.

[@woodsideCraig]

These have been great Max. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@cosmickid1794]

Oh MY!! Max, you OWN "Letter to You"!! Rock on!!!!

[@glennsutherland4895]

Max you are a really good story teller.

[@bigt4u2nv]

Thank you so much for sharing so many stories, memories, emotions, etc with us! You have a real knack for presenting your stories in an informational, entertaining way. Must've learned a thing or two from The Boss! Peace & Love ☮️❤️

[@pedropardo1664]

Muchas gracias Max, eres un gran referente y para muchos LA MAQUINA de la E Street Banda. En España se os quiere con todo el alma. Por favor. Poner subtítulos. Jajaja....Gracias y Viva la música.

[@christopherupton9089]

You are a very kind hearted man Max ,stay safe and thanks for all the fabulous music over the years best wishes from the UK.

[@northguilford]

You're a gentleman and a rocker, Mighty Max. Thanks so much for taking the time to share all you know and all you've done!

[@MalcolmLyons89C]

Hi Max. Love your drumming, Bruce and the band. Good to see and hear you. Ever thought of doing some basic drumming teaching for those of us who would like to emulate you? Also some information about your kit and home studio equipment would be great. All the best from Ireland to you and yours.

[@hansgoodrockintonight1071]

Max, Big thanks for the fantastic great drumming on the new E Street Band album Letter to you 👍👍👍 Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@swarnakumar116]

Love From India 🤗

[@NevadaBoss]

With possible exception of Charlie Watts, THE greatest drummer in rock. The beating heart of the ESB. Thanks for these Max...great stuff.

[@tbuttz]

Thank You Max. I loved all the info. We'll see u further on up the road.

[@magarthur3420]

Thanks for these Max. I look forward to these coming back and hopefully a new album with a tour soon...

[@carlomott]

Max, thank you for sharing your memories with us. It was a great way to feel close to the E Street Nation through these hard times. You are great. Definitely the E-Streeter that I love the most. And by the way, your english is fantastic.I hope to see you up the road soon, especially here in Italy!

[@talldutchbloke1]

absolutely fascinating - you have a very compelling story tell style, thank you!

[@michaw.5269]

Hey and greetings from Leipzig, Germany. I was at the concert where Bruce and the Band rehearsed the song "You Never Can Tell" from Chuck Berry. It was a really good show. Also was at Berlin, I believe in 2012? There you rehearsed the song "When I leave Berlin". I heard the rehearsal outside of the stadium before the concert. And I have to say, I am now 28 years old. So there are still young fans out there who like the music Bruce, you and the Band make!
Wish you health and lot of good years, Max. ;-)

[@almerian]

Thanks Max! I really enjoyed this series. I love how you tell these stories and describe your feelings and attitude towards music, friendship and life in general.

[@CharlesTPrimm]

We love you Max! --Charles and Danny from the Mighty Max Fan Club.

[@victorelizarbecamasca2286]

thank you Max por ser la mejor bateria de E stree band

[@johnzur]

Thanks for answering my question Max! I've really enjoyed these memories each Monday... hope to hear more of them in the future or better yet, hear you and the E Street Band LIVE!

[@wonderdrummer]

Great series Max! I enjoyed everyone! Hope to see & hear you again soon! Stay safe ! Love to the family! " Los"

[@ericheine2414]

I remember Max Weinberg in 1975 at Sky Blue Studios at 128 4th Street in Sonoma California. He and Bruce Springsteen were recording behind Mike Appels back. It was during this time I provided lyrics to Bruce Springsteen. Bruce promised to pay and welched on his agreement. In 1982 I again provided Steven Van Zandt lyrics for Bruce Springsteen. Those are the lyrics on the Born In The USA album.
Bruce and Steven again welched on their agreement. To this day I have not received one red cent from Bruce Springsteen or Steven Van Zandt.
Steven did provide me with eight tickets to see the band play at an Amnesty International concert on the 23rd of September 1988. this was also Bruce Springsteen's birthday. I didn't go backstage because I didn't want to miss the show. Steven said he could get two or three of us backstage but not all 8. I said I couldn't take 7 friends to a concert and leave five out front.
That would be uncool. Steven said he understood. He also said there would be no cake and ice cream because it gets kind of hectic backstage. we laughed because Bruce was going to have to work on his birthday. Steven said he likes to work. He said he misses the show every time he plays one because he doesn't get to see it until the day or the day after when he gets the playbacks. My lyrics made them multi-millionaires and they did not give me any money or credit. Bruce and Steven are the personification of what is wrong with the music industry. I was 15 when I met Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, and
Max Weinberg. I was 16 in 1975. I was 23 in 1982. I was a studio rat who wrote lyrics. My master Chris Hackney would sell my songs. Chris was present when I entered into my agreement with Bruce Springsteen.
Bruce wanted to purchase five of my songs. I wanted $500 each for them.
He said that's $2500 bucks I don't have it. I told him that that's what the songs were worth and that's what they would sell for. Bruce Springsteen looked me in the eye he said "I'll tell you what I will take them and if I use them I will pay you." I asked how much Bruce said "that depends on how good they are?"
Some money sometimes better than no money at all. So I looked Bruce Springsteen straight in the eye I said "that's a deal" and we shook hands.
He didn't just take the five song he picked out. He took the entire stack of 22 songs. Chris told me not to worry about it because he had a contract and that Bruce was cool.
Bruce Springsteen is not cool, he is dishonest and doesn't keep his word. Looking back on it I was underage and they took unfair advantage of me. In 1982 at my mother's house in Sonoma California Steven Van Zandt looked me in the eye, shook my hand and promised me that this time I would get paid.
Steven met my mother and both my sisters and we talked and sat by the swimming pool. He said "anything is better than living in a surfboard factory." Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt are rip-offs.
They are what is known in the industry as "song sharks."
I thought of them as my friends and I looked up to them. That money would have helped me get straight and get through med school.
Bruce wanted to be famous.
I didn't want to be famous.
I just wanted some mailbox money so I could make my dreams come true. I guess it's all about Bruce.

[@andrewmcintyre19able]

Just wonderful

[@marge201]

Max, I loved each episode and look forward to more. You're so interesting and fun! How about introducing your wife next time!

[@56dinosaur]

I hope that you'll come back with more episodes. You've got some great stories.

[@CharlesTPrimm]

Fantastic!!!

[@Tommymcindublin]

Thank you so much Max and Backstreets - so entertaining and educational ! Was that maybe 'Goin' Cali' from Tracks on side 4 or maybe 'I'm Goin Back/Goin' Back/Bo Diddley Rocky is on next Tracks album ?

[@wildandinn]

Tom, it's known as 'Goin' Back' aka 'Bo Diddley Rocker' (unreleased - not on Tracks): ua-cam.com/video/Z2K_UUntwtM/v-deo.html

[@Tommymcindublin]

@@wildandinn might be on the next Tracks album so ? :-)

[@tonyambrose8741]

Yes max was wrong. Song on tracks he mentioned is goin Cali not I’m goin back or from 77 bo didley rocker. This is the song he’s talking about here. Great rock song w great vocals and harmonica from Bruce. That preachers daughter an so many more still left in the vaults

[@paddy3622]

This is so good. Thanks Max

[@per-rogerschren5975]

Fantastic stuff Max!

[@MDDave00]

Max, thanks for answering my question about Hal Blaine! David Bernstein-rhymes with Springsteen ;-)

[@OlaviKnaapilaMane]

Hello Max. Greetings From Finland 😁🙏🌹

[@lcmab1992]

To that guy giving a thumb down here - seek help!
To Max - thank you so very much for that great "show" over the last weeks.
It was interesting, it was funny - please keep it goin! 🍻

[@poloistanina]

14:00 Rushed to listen to that song but it wasn’t on Tracks. Couldn’t find it anywhere😩

[@lorenzo_contini_7]

Keep going with these videos Max :D

[@oldatarigamer]

Thanks!

[@jayoreilly305]

Thanks Max