NJ Gov Urges Springsteen To Play Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has seen Bruce Springsteen in concert more than a hundred times, called on The Boss on Tuesday to help Atlantic City by performing at the new Revel casino on Labor Day weekend.
The governor, who says he has seen Springsteen play live 126 times, made the plea Tuesday during a tour of the new casino, which opens Monday. The facility wouldn't have been finished without state tax incentives.
In response to a reporter's question about the darker lyrics and tone of Springsteen's new album "Wrecking Ball," which deals with how hard times are hurting average people, Christie said the material was written some months ago, before things in New Jersey started to get better. He then pivoted to making an appeal to Springsteen to play Revel at the end of the summer.
"I would make a direct plea to Bruce: He missed out on the opportunity to open this place," Christie said. "I think Labor Day weekend at Revel would be an incredible show of support for his home state.
"Cut out Labor Day weekend and come here to Revel, which would be a strong sign of support for those working men and women" who have jobs at the new casino resort, the governor added.
Beyonce is playing three shows at Revel over Memorial Day weekend; Maroon 5 plays the venue's first-ever concert a week earlier.
A publicist for Springsteen, whose catalog includes a song titled "Atlantic City," declined comment on Christie's invitation.
Revel has not yet booked an entertainer for Labor Day weekend, a spokeswoman said. The resort did not know Christie planned to invite Springsteen, but says they'd love to have him, if he's up for it.
Christie, a conservative Republican, acknowledged he disagrees politically with Springsteen, who supports many Democratic causes and politicians. Of the songs on "Wrecking Ball," Christie said, "He wrote that a while ago. He's yet to get caught up in the New Jersey comeback," using Christie's signature political line.
"I think you'll see more optimistic things coming from Bruce going forward," Christie said.
Christie views Revel as the centerpiece of an effort to revive the fortunes of Atlantic City, where the casino business has been on a long downward spiral.
The governor plans to see Springsteen's Thursday night concert in Philadelphia. It would be the 127th Springsteen show Christie says he has attended.
"If I get a chance to talk to him personally Thursday, I'll ask him directly," Christie said.
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