Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen have been firm friends for decades, after the US rocker was inspired by The Beatles to pick up a guitar and embark on a career in music

Rock star Bruce Springsteen, the legendary New Jersey singer-songwriter, played his first-ever gig in Liverpool on Wednesday, delivering a stellar performance to a sold-out crowd at Anfield. Merseyside fans who had been waiting for decades were not disappointed, with the Liverpool Echo’s review giving the concert a five-star rating.

Despite this being his first show in Liverpool, The Boss has a long-standing connection with the city, often speaking about the profound impact The Beatles’ 1964 arrival in the United States had on him – particularly their first number one hit in the States, I Want to Hold Your Hand.

The Beatles, comprised of Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon, landed at New York’s JFK Airport on February 7, where they were greeted by 5,000 fans. Their iconic debut on The Ed Sullivan Show followed on February 9, drew an audience of over 73 million viewers across the United States.

Paul McCartney emphasized the importance of making their first trip to America a success. He advised manager Brian Epstein that they should hold off on traveling until they secured a number one hit on the US charts.

Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen have been friends for years(Image: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ became that hit. It was released in the UK on November 29, 1963, and then in the USA on Boxing Day of the same year, reaching number one on February 1, 1964 – just days before The Beatles touched down in New York, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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The Beatles’ appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was a pivotal cultural event, drawing an audience of over 73 million viewers in America and solidifying their status as a transatlantic cultural sensation.

Bruce Springsteen counts himself among those profoundly influenced by the Liverpool lads. In a 2020 Rolling Stone interview, he recounted the moment The Beatles galvanized his musical journey.

He reminisced: “‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ came on the radio in 1964. That was going to change my life because I was going to successfully pick the guitar up and learn how to play.”

Springsteen shared his early attempts at music, saying, “I saw Elvis on TV. When Elvis first hit I was nine or something, I was a little young and I tried to play the guitar but I didn’t work out. I put it away, but the keeper was 1964 and ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ on South Street, with my mother driving.”

The Beatles inspired Bruce Springsteen(Image: Michael Ochs Archives)

He vividly described his reaction to hearing The Beatles for the first time: “I immediately demanded she let me out, I ran to the bowling alley, ran down a long neon-lit aisle, down the bowling alley, into the bowling alley, ran to the phone booth, got in the phone booth, immediately called my girl and said ‘have you heard this band called The Beatles?’. After that, it was nothing but rock and roll and guitars.”

Beyond admiration, Bruce has developed a personal bond with Beatle Paul McCartney, leading to several collaborative performances.

Bruce Springsteen made a memorable appearance during Paul McCartney’s 2022 Glastonbury set. After Paul brought Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl on stage for renditions of ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ and ‘Band On The Run’, he welcomed Bruce to perform ‘Glory Days’ and the Beatles’ hit ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, famously covered by the Rolling Stones.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the surprise guest, who Paul mentioned had flown in just for the occasion, took the stage. Dave and Bruce later joined Paul for a grand guitar finale with ‘The End’, wrapping up the nearly three-hour performance.

At the Ivor Novello Awards in London last May, Paul couldn’t resist poking fun at Bruce while presenting him with the academy’s highest honor—a fellowship for songwriting. Bruce was notably the first international recipient of this prestigious award.

Paul quipped: “Unlike Bruce’s concerts, I’m going to keep this brief. I blame you, man, we used to play an hour or an hour and a half, The Beatles used to play half an hour.

“He starts playing three hours. Anyway we love him. I can’t think of any more fitting person to be the first international song writing fellowship, except maybe Bob Dylan. Or Paul Simon, or Billy Joel, or Beyoncé, or Taylor Swift. The list goes on. Just kidding Bruce.

“I was wondering how Bruce would fit in The Beatles. When it comes to talent, he was definitely in the top five.”

Paul also playfully poked fun at Bruce’s work, joking: “He’s known as the American working man but he admits he’s never worked a day in his life.”

In stride, Bruce accepted the lighthearted jab in stride, and as he stepped onto the stage to accept his award, he warmly hugged Paul.