Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint
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Bruce Springsteen performs at a campaign rally for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama in Cleveland in 2008. Photo: Brooks Kraft LLC via Getty Images
Bruce Springsteen heads to Cleveland on Friday at yet another political inflection point.
State of play: The concert at Rocket Arena is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, with the anti-Trump rallying cry "No Kings" splattered across promotional posters.
What they're saying: "We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream," Springsteen said in a statement.
- "All of which are under attack by our wannabe king and his rogue government in Washington, D.C."
It isn't the first time Springsteen has brought advocacy to Cleveland. Here's a look back at his most incendiary Northeast Ohio moments.
🏭 "Youngstown" (1995)
The moving song from Springsteen's album "The Ghost of Tom Joad" is set in Ohio and follows a family of factory workers who served their country but have little to show for it.
- The song has become a mainstay at The Boss' politically charged Northeast Ohio appearances.
🇺🇸 John Kerry (2004)
Springsteen made two stops in Cleveland in support of presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004, starting with the Vote for Change Tour at Gund Arena on Oct. 2.
- The second was an election-eve (Nov. 1) rally with Kerry on Cleveland's Mall, where Springsteen performed "No Surrender" in honor of the senator.
🫡 Obama rally (2008)
Springsteen returned to Cleveland's Mall two days before the 2008 election in support of then-candidate Barack Obama.
- The Nov. 2 rally drew 80,000 people and saw Springsteen play "The Rising" and debut the song "Working on a Dream."
🗳️ Get out the vote (2012)
On Oct. 18, 2012, Springsteen and former President Clinton endorsed Obama during a rally at Cuyahoga Community College's Western Campus in Parma.
- The Boss performed a six-song set that included "We Take Care of Our Own," which Obama used as a campaign anthem.