WOW!! What a great guy... It was in the summer of 1989 when I went with a few friends to an open-air concert of Bruce Cockburn in the city "Karl-Marx-Stadt" (GDR). (Today this city is called Chemnitz again...:-) Live concerts with musicians from Western countries were still a minor sensation in the GDR back then. It was a great concert - even though it rained the whole time. After the concert we walked along the barrier fence because one of us had the crazy idea of breaking into the backstage area to see the musicians up close. It's hard to believe, but there was actually a loophole that we crawled through and quickly we were at the large container that Bruce Cockburn was about to go into. The "FDJ" stewards - a kind of security guards back then - had of course noticed us and wanted to intercept us, but too late, Bruce had discovered us (and protected us) and invited us into the container where his musicians were already. We were offered hot tea and Coca Cola, sat down with them and talked for a while, maybe 15 or 20 minutes (for us it was an eternity) - so we talked (with our limited English) about the political situation in the GDR and of course also about music. We were totally over the moon - we were backstage with our star and were able to talk to him, get autographs written on the tickets and posters - it was unbelievable that this was possible!!! When I listen to his music today, I always remember this experience with a smile...😀
I’ll never forget 1979 walking into a Tower Records Store and hearing Water Into Wine. I had never heard of Bruce Cockburn or instrumental guitar music. He only had 10 albums back then. So I picked up In the Falling Dark. In 1980 Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws turned out to be my favorite album, so far.
Glad to see we both are still here. Same age ; 78. From a long time fan,
Thanks Saltwire. Hey remember the Gander Beacon? Clarenville Packet?
WOW!! What a great guy... It was in the summer of 1989 when I went with a few friends to an open-air concert of Bruce Cockburn in the city "Karl-Marx-Stadt" (GDR). (Today this city is called Chemnitz again...:-) Live concerts with musicians from Western countries were still a minor sensation in the GDR back then. It was a great concert - even though it rained the whole time. After the concert we walked along the barrier fence because one of us had the crazy idea of breaking into the backstage area to see the musicians up close. It's hard to believe, but there was actually a loophole that we crawled through and quickly we were at the large container that Bruce Cockburn was about to go into. The "FDJ" stewards - a kind of security guards back then - had of course noticed us and wanted to intercept us, but too late, Bruce had discovered us (and protected us) and invited us into the container where his musicians were already. We were offered hot tea and Coca Cola, sat down with them and talked for a while, maybe 15 or 20 minutes (for us it was an eternity) - so we talked (with our limited English) about the political situation in the GDR and of course also about music. We were totally over the moon - we were backstage with our star and were able to talk to him, get autographs written on the tickets and posters - it was unbelievable that this was possible!!!
When I listen to his music today, I always remember this experience with a smile...😀
BRUCE 😮 MET HIM BRIEFLY 2019!One my all time faves !
Wonderful interview! Lots of great questions, and it was nice to hear Bruce's responses. :-)
I’ll never forget 1979 walking into a Tower Records Store and hearing Water Into Wine. I had never heard of Bruce Cockburn or instrumental guitar music. He only had 10 albums back then. So I picked up In the Falling Dark. In 1980 Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws turned out to be my favorite album, so far.
I go to see Bruce every time he comes to Sydney, hope he comes again. Love his music.
Had the pleasure of seeing Bruce live in Pennsylvania several years ago. Just him and his guitar and several large bells. He was very good.
Perhaps the best (of many) interview of Bruce Cockburn I’ve heard. Thank you
Thank you for the beautiful interview ! My 3 BC cincerts in Italy : 1979 - 2024 - 2024 !!!!!!!
Thoughtful questions. I'm sure Bruce gets a lot of cliché-type interviews and this one must have been like a breath of fresh air for him. Great job!