See RollingStone.com's Exclusive Feature on For You
"In Lawrence Kirsch's new coffee-table book, 'For You: Original Stories and Photographs by Bruce Springsteen's Legendary Fans', Seattle music fan Glen Boyd recounts his experience attending Springsteen's first Seattle show in 1975 at the Paramount Theatre.
A friend had given him a free ticket to see 'the future of rock and roll': 'Not since I saw the Beatles on TV as a 7-year-old boy has a single rock-and-roll performance left such a lasting impact on me.'
Another Springsteen concert years later, at the Tacoma Dome in 1988, had a similar impact on yours truly. For years, that marathon performance remained a favorite among arena-rock shows I had seen.
'Rock stars don't come in sizes larger than Bruce Springsteen,' I wrote in my review."
Gene Stout
Seattle Post Intelligencer
March 2008
"Het idee is briljant: laat het mondiale leger van
devote Bruce·fans ('Bruce Tramps' worden ze in
het voorwoord genoemd) maar eens geluigen
van hun liefde voor The BOSS, For You toont ons
de held van de gewone man, bezien vanuit het
perspectief van de gewone man en vrouw voor
wie hij al bijna veertig jaar zijn muziek maakt. En
dat in woord en gebaar (lees: foto's). 206 pagi-
na's lang amateurbeelden (van vaak zeer hoog
niveau, backstage, vaak live, maar ook zomaar
ergens op straat of op een baseballveldje) en
fanleksten, die soms wat onbeholpen aandoen,
maar altijd vol staan van ontzag en enthousi-
asme Hartverwarmend is het woord. De stel-
ling dat Bruce het leven van velen begeleid en
getekend heeft, komt in dit door de Canadese
fotograaf Lawrence Kirsh samengestelde kof-
fietafelboek volledig tot wasdom. Het boek is
verdeeld in vier hoofdstukken (jaren zeventig,
tachtig, negentig en 2000) die onveranderlijk
de vlinders in de buik beschrijven van concert-
gangers en trouwe fans. Het hoogst particuliere
proza 'werkt' en raakt op een prettige en uit-
nodigende manier de kern van het Bruce·fan-
schap. Al lezend begin je je eigen verhaal te verzinnen:
waarom Jijzelf ooit zo'n sympathie voor
die kleine hardwerkende man uit Freehold, New
Jersey opvatte, een gevoel dat al gauw omsloeg
in een onvoorwaardelijke liefde die tot de dood
door lijkl te gaan. Prachtig boek, zeer mooi uitgevoerd,
een must voor elke Bruce·fan. Aan te
schaffen via: Foryoubruce.com"
TOM ENGELSHOVEN
OOR Magazine-Holland
Maart /// 2008
"Given the frequency in which Twin Cities fans have seen Bruce Springsteen live in recent years, it's tempting to think Sunday's show at Xcel Energy Center will be just another night shared in the presence of the Boss.
After reading the new book 'For You,' I'm not so sure there is such a thing as 'just another night' when it comes to Springsteen. The lovingly compiled hardcover tome's subtitle says it all: 'Original Stories and Photographs by Bruce Springsteen's Legendary Fans.' Over the span of more than 200 pages, those fans share their own Springsteen stories as well as hundreds of previously unseen, largely live photos, many of which are startlingly intimate, whether they're capturing the man onstage in front of thousands or, in one case, chatting with a young Bono in 1981.
But what's most striking about 'For You; is its almost palpable passion. You've got the fans, who write with an almost religious fervor about seeing, hearing and occasionally touching the New Jersey native, from his emergence in the 1970s right up through his Seeger Sessions tour in 2006.
Then there are the photos, which show a supremely confident showman who possesses the heightened body consciousness of a supermodel. I mean, the guy almost never takes a bad picture! That said, through the years he has chosen some iffy floral and paisley shirts that aren't nearly as timeless as his tunes. Springsteen looks best in basic black, white and maybe denim, and it becomes clear through the chronologically arranged photos that he has figured that out, too. Plenty of gems (stories) are hidden in there, too. One of my favorites involves a 12-year-old with a crush on his teacher. He attempts to woo her with a vinyl copy of 'The River' and a dozen roses but ends up inadvertently getting her Honda stolen in the process.
It's sharply designed, beautifully printed and limited to a run of 2,000 copies.
And I imagine it's the sort of book the hardcore will cherish almost as much as seeing Springsteen in the flesh."
Ross Raihala
Pioneer Press Twin Cities, Minnesota
March 2008
"Of all the great armies of rock fans, few can match the devotion of Bruce Springsteen's. For them it's not just catching just one show-it's about catching them all. Anyone who has experienced Springsteen in concert will testify that the bond between audience and artist transcends the usual adulation. Something magical, almost mystical happens. Some might describe it as spiritual-most definitely it is life affirming. It is in trying to nail this phenomenon that the beautiful hardbound For You has arrived.
Edited by Lawrence Kirsch and replete with an amazing welter of outstanding photographs, it's a mind-blowing collection of thoughts and stories from fans of every age and many nations, each explaining why Springsteen occupies such an important place in their hearts. Covering all four decades of Springsteen's career it is possibly the ultimate fanzine for it is the fans who have made the journey and whose words tell us as much about them as they do about Springsteen. The warmth and humanity that flows from every page is truly moving and provides a beacon of hope from which we can all draw strength in these hard times. Not a book to be read at one sitting but rather to revisit and enjoy over time."
Colin Hall
RocknReel
UK
"I get a lot of inquiries through the Greasy Lake mailbox about all sorts of things. Some people want to know how to invite Bruce to their wedding, others want to offer me affiliate deals, and still others just want to know how to get a bootleg recording of a show they've been to. So when Lawrence Kirsch contacted me a couple of years ago regarding a book he wanted to publish, it wasn't anything too much out of the ordinary. Lawrence was looking for a way to tell the fans that their input was needed. His book was going to consist of tales from fans about their concert experiences and meeting Bruce, etc. I offered to mention it on this news page of Greasy Lake and post something on the message board, but otherwise didn't think much of it. Maybe I even had a slight feeling that this project wasn't likely to succeed. Fans these days have loads of outlets for their Bruce stories. Contributing to a book may seem a little 'last century' to a lot of people. But Lawrence seemed full of optimism and even asked if I would like to submit a story. Being the nice person that I am, I agreed to do it and wrote a piece about my close encounter with Bruce at the Stone Pony in 2001. I was a little surprised when he then asked me to send it to him in Danish, but again I agreed.
Well, fast forward a year or two where I didn't hear much about the project and, if anything, thought that it probably wasn't going anywhere. But last summer I got a message from Lawrence saying that the book was in its last stages of being completed and would be published. I think this may have been the first time I truly realized Lawrence actually meant business and that he was more than just another fan with a good idea that would never be realized. Well, to make a long story short, when I received my own copy a few months later, the last shred of doubt was removed. This was an awesome looking, beautiful hardcover book full of amazing stories and no less amazing pictures. The best part is that this is not just another run-of-the-mill Bruce biography like we have seen so many times. This book is indeed made up 100% of fan tales from around the world and with loads and loads of never-before seen pictures, many of which are among the best shots of Bruce you are likely to see anywhere, including several by one of my personal favorite Bruce photographers, Rene van Diemen.
I admit, I haven't read the book cover to cover yet. So far I have enjoyed opening random pages and reading whatever story I would come across. What strikes me every time is the enthusiasm that all the contributions radiate. When you spend a lot of time hanging out at Bruce message boards where every aspect of Bruce is analyzed and nit-picked over and over, it's actually refreshing to read these stories where genuine Bruce passion is all-dominating.
We have seen several new Bruce books in the last few years, including another long-awaited book by official Springsteen biographer Dave Marsh and a lavish book about the E Street Band. I bought them all, because as a librarian by profession, I see it as my holy duty. But if you are going to buy just one of the current Bruce books, I won't hesitate to recommend getting For You. For You is a much-needed fresh breath in the Bruce bibliography and essential to any serious fan."
Karsten S. Andersen
Denmark
Greasylake.org
"Check the book listings for 'Bruce Springsteen' at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and other popular retailers and you'll get a couple dozen hits. What you won't pull up, however, is a new title that's being sold exclusively online: For You is a 208-page, 9" x 12" full color, hardcover volume dedicated to chronicling the 'stories, tales and Springsteen fan experiences from across the world.' Hundreds of anecdotes and remembrances penned by fans, along with over 400 photographs (most never before published) dot the book, which was edited by Canadian writer Lawrence Kirsch.
According to Kirsch, he'd wanted to do a Springsteen book but he also wanted to take a different approach from previous treatments, which to date have mostly been biographies and coffee table photo books. 'Being a life-long Springsteen fan myself,' said Kirsch, 'I recognized there was a pent-up desire for fans to come together and share. Something magical happens at a Springsteen concert. Each concert is like a huge family reunion, even though in all reality you actually know very few of the people there. Complete strangers connect with an immediacy that is tangible.
So, in 2005 I came up with the idea for this book and set up a web site called: Foryoubruce.com to confirm if my theory was correct. I asked fans to write in with their experiences, and I was simply amazed by the response. Over 1,500 fans from across the globe submitted stories and anecdotes to the website.
For You dips all the way back to Springsteen's Steel Mill days right up to the Seeger Sessions Band in the Live from Dublin concert at The Point, Ireland in 2006. And among The E Street Band, Southside Johnny, Bono/U2, Sting, Jon Bon Jovi, Patti Smith, Robert Gordon, Gary U.S. Bonds, Joe Grushecky, Ronnie Spector, John Fogerty, Neil Young, Michael Stipe, Jackson Browne and more."
Fred Mills
Harp Magazine
"This music has made an indelible mark on nearly every
aspect of these writers' lives: birth, love, leisure,
the passing of time, marriage, sex, and death. It's
all there. One account described how the crowd parted
so that his very young son was able to see during a
show. Another describes how a show brought one fan and
her (now late) husband even closer together. Sometimes
though, it's just a good time with close friends,
music blaring from the car stereo.
One of the most inspiring essays in the book was
provided by a Reverend Suzanne Meyer, who totally
struck a resonant chord in this description of the
song Land of Hope and Dreams — 'The song's beauty
comes from its simple profession of faith in the power
of community.'"
Mark Saleski
The Friday Morning Listen
January 2008
"'Well worth the wait' doesn't quite sum it up. This
is a tremendous thing, the result of some hard work
and, plainly, love.
Thanks for this. I'm proud to own and enjoy it, add
it to my collection, and recommend it."
Todd Kennedy
January 2008
"For You anthologizes hundreds of fans stories... it forms a genuinely interesting social history, even for those with only a passing interest in Springsteen. Adorned throughout by a luscious range of colour and black and white photos... this is a treat for the eyes and the heart, really capturing the sense of a global fan community."
Emily Mackay
Record Collector
February 2008
"For You, which takes its name from a Springsteen song
on his first album, 'Greetings From Asbury Park,
N.J.,' is ultimately a love letter from his fans.
That's how it was conceived, and you won't find
anything overtly critical of the artist between its
pages. If you're not already an acolyte then the whole
thing might seem a little strange: how can so many
people be moved so much by one man?"
Rod Lockwood
Toledo Blade
December 23, 2007
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"Lawrence Kirsch, fotógrafo canadiense, mordió la fruta prohibida a finales de 1975, cuando compró dos entradas para ver a Bruce Springsteen y la E Street Band en el Place des Arts de Montreal. Cuestionado al respecto, aclara: «En el 75 yo no era un gran fan de Springsteen, me tiraban más Bob Dylan, David Bowie o los Rolling Stones. Aquella noche, cuando apagaron las luces, olvidé todo e inicié mi viaje con Bruce y con Roy Bittan (pianista de la E Street). Arrancaron con una versión acústica de Thunder Road. Nunca había sido testigo de una apertura de concierto tan sencilla y, sin embargo, tan efectiva y apasionada. Bruce cantaba con tanta convicción que parecía revivir sus temas. El concierto duró tres horas, mucho más que cualquiera que yo hubiera visto antes, y al final la audiencia estaba exahusta. Abandonamos el teatro sabiendo que habíamos visto algo especial».
Treinta y tres años, y setenta conciertos de Springsteen más tarde, Kirsch publica (mejor reedita: la primera edición, limitadísima, se agotó hace meses, al poco de salir) For You. Ofrece testimonios de cientos de seguidores del de Nueva Jersey contados en primera persona. Sus vivencias alumbran toda una épica. Van de la anécdota descacharrante al bosquejo de una vida enroscada en torno a la música. Demiurgo, socio, compañero y maestro, Springsteen proyecta entre sus seguidores una imagen atípica. Trasciende su papel asignado (megaestrella) y se transforma en algo más, tal vez el buen pastor que consuela sin arengar, cronista implacable del sueño americano y sus desvelos.
Convocados por Kirsch para enviar textos y fotografías, los seguidores respondieron con entusiasmo. Había que documentar décadas de conciertos masivos y secretos, de los estadios de fútbol a los bares donde a veces, muchas, Springsteen rocanrolea hasta la madrugada, explicar porque se trata de uno de los dos o tres artistas más pirateados de la historia, contar, como hace Kirsch, porque «Springsteen nos da esperanza. Si se limitara a entretenernos, sería estupendo. Pero hace más, ha contribuido a nuestra educación, nos pide mantener la mente abierta y receptiva hacia los problemas sociales y (desde 2004) la situación política de los Estados Unidos. Algunos fans no están de acuerdo con éste último aspecto, pero es su problema». Kirsch, él mismo uno de tantos tramps (vagabundos, por Born to run) que planean sus vacaciones con la idea de ver tantos conciertos de Springsteen como sea posible, apostó todo en For You, dispuesto a colocar el espejo en el lado contrario.
Arrancas For You inquieto, fascinado con sus fotografías y, sí, temoroso por la perspectiva de un aluvión de cartas del tipo Bruce salvó mi vida y blablablá, y vale, bueno, algunos mensajes turban por ingenuos, pero en el cómputo final pesan infinitamente más las increíbles historias de gente corriente y los nudos que el mejor arte sugiere, haciendo de la ecuación música/biografía fascinante sucesión de lágrimas, risas, polvo y sudor, besos y estrellas, que viaja de lo divertido a lo mágico sin derrapar en el misticismo barato. For you, al cabo, termina por ser un canto de amor, pero no el previsto desde la trinchera cínica. Gozoso, vibrante, lírico y poético, demuestra que si bien «lo más difícil es conservar tu idealismo tras perder la inocencia» (Springsteen dixit), siempre nos quedará la música (nuestro París de Fenders)."
Julio Valdeón Blanco
El Mundo(Spain)
"I was sent a copy of this lavish, hardcover book and it's a testament not only to the kind of devotion that The Boss inspires, but to that devotion itself among fans. There are more than 205 pages filled with great, previously unseen photographs spanning Springsteen's long career -- even going back to his Steel Mill days -- and page after page of personal memories of Springsteen shows, Boss meetings and other ways that Bruce has inspired his legion of fans. Order the book and gain some insight into the nature of fandom and the unique attraction of Bruce Springsteen."
Bobby Tanzilo
OnMilwaukee.com
"For You, titre d'une chanson du premier disque du E Street Band, est
également le titre du livre-témoignage du montréalais Lawrence Kirsch. En
200 pages grand format bien tassées, For You fait revivre en photos toutes
les tournées du Boss depuis 1973-et même quelques spectacles avant la
naisssance officielle du E Street Band- jusqu'aux répétitions de la tournée
Magic, en septembre dernier.
Quand on parcourt le bouquin autoproduit tiré à 2000 exemplaires, on est
séduit par des photos jamais publiées et surpris de la diversité des expériences."
Philippe Rezzonico
Le Journal de Montréal
Mars 2008
"Des mordus de Springsteen, il y a en quelques-uns. Lawrence Kirsch a colligé quelques témoignages dans un beau livre intitulé For You."
Alain de Repentigny
La Presse
Mars 2008
"Hard-core fans of Bruce Springsteen who want to revel
in the observations of fellow followers might not even
know to put this book on their gift list: For You is
a limited-run, $50 hardcover with hundreds of concert
photos. Primary text: E-mail-type recollections about
first shows and memorable moments. The Boss himself
might like to read it."
The Christian Science Monitor
December 2007
"'For You,' Lawrence Kirsch's mammoth hardcover
collection of Springsteen stories from the rock
troubadour's most devoted fans, is not a well-written
book in the traditional sense. Some of the accounts
meander along for a while before just sputtering out,
or seem to exist only for the purpose of imparting Too
Much Information — there are some things even your
fellow Springsteen junkies don't need to know, like
which Bruce album was playing during your first sexual
experience. That's just icky.
But somehow, those less polished pieces add to the
book's charm — and taken together with some of more
insightful entries they help form what, in the end,
turns out to be one of the most fascinating and moving
books I've ever read.
In reading "For You," at first it's hard to believe
that one performer could possibly have touched this
many people this deeply — lifted them from depression,
kept them from suicide, helped them through divorce or
the death of a parent, or worse, a child. But story
after story reveals just how much Springsteen's music
and his almost superhuman presence on the concert
stage have penetrated people's lives and, in as much
as it is possible for music to do so, made them whole.
In fact, there's a running theme of these
reminiscences, one that is sure to warm any Bruce
fan's heart: that you are not crazy. Not crazy for
seeing dozens or even hundreds of concerts; not crazy
for feeling that Springsteen's songs and lyrics have
actually helped carry you through some of life's
toughest moments; not crazy to think that this man
whom you've never met has and continues to fill some
kind of void in your life."
Peter Chianca
Excerpt from Blogness on the Edge of Town
December 21, 2007
"Normally, you can't judge a book by its cover. But that's not the case with 'For You,' a new book on Bruce Springsteen, which features not only a great rock photo on the cover but is filled with some 400 incredible and previously unpublished images of the Boss.
For and by Bruce's 'legendary fans,' the book, available only on line, is a journey through four decades of the hottest, most energetic rock and roll since Jerry Lee Lewis set his piano on fire in concert. And the photos prove it.
Page after page of visual dynamite are interspersed with written recollections and heartfelt tributes, all gathered by editor, publisher and true blue fan Lawrence Kirsch. If you love Bruce, and/or, rock and roll, and/or photography get this coffee table hard-back soon. The triumphant cover shot is just the beginning.
Larry Kelley
Mill Valley, California
December 2007
"A spectacular new book called For You is one of the best Bruce Springsteen books ever published. What's real special about this is that it's all about Bruce and his fans. Put together by Lawrence Kirsch of Canada, the 208-page book is a collection of recollections from fans about Bruce from the early 1970s to present. This marvellous collection of hundreds of fan tales, testimonials and memories also features tons of fan photographs of Bruce and the E Street Band over the years. Many of these photographs have never been published.
It's the photos that really impressed me. So many great shots of Bruce over the years, from his Steel Mill days in 1970 to even the Magic Tour. Only 2,000 copies of the book were made and fans should order a copy now to ensure they will not be shut-out.
The stories by fans really capture how Bruce Springsteen and his music has touched our lives over the past 30-plus years. Great job Lawrence. This is a 'must have' for any Springsteen fan."
Stan Goldstein
NJ.Com
"Released late last year, For You is one of the most
important books ever to trace the career of Bruce
Springsteen. Compiled by Lawrence Kirsch, the book
features the words and pictures of Springsteen fans
from all over the world. The majority of the pictures
had never been published before, and are nothing short
of amazing."
Tom Cunningham
The Bruce Brunch
105.7 The Hawk
"Bruce Springsteen fans have submitted their memories
and photos for inclusion in a new book, For You,
by Lawrence Kirsch. The stories chronicle
Springsteen's career from its conception, and incorporate
images from all eras ‹including shots of
Springsteen with the E Street Band, Bono, Neil Young
and more)."
Rolling Stone: Rock and Roll Daily
December 5, 2007
"Apart from the moving, intimate entries, there are plenty of high-energy
accounts of key Springsteen concerts, cherished albums or songs and
unexpected brushes with the seemingly amiable artist. The stories and
pictures go as far back as Springsteen's early group, Steel Mill, in 1970
and take the reader up to the present day."
Bernie Perusse
Montreal Gazette
December 18, 2007
"Fans of Bruce Springsteen are not only devoted but articulate about why they worship the Boss. The new book 'For You: Original Stories & Photographs by Bruce Springsteen's Legendary Fans' is the work of disciples from Boise to Barcelona. The mayor of Delray Beach, Fla., says it best: 'Bruce fans are a fraternity - we share something deep and special, a relationship with the artist and with each other.'"
Jon Bream
Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune
December 5, 2007
"Springsteen's fans are a pretty loyal and passionate bunch. This handsome, photo-packed tome is filled with the reminiscences of Boss fans worldwide."
Atlanta Journal Constitution
December 4, 2007
"Hey, Boss fans: this one's For You. There's a new book on Bruce Springsteen out there, and it's dedicated to his legions of followers (which include at least a couple of Paste staffers). Limited to just 2,000 copies, For You serves as a collection of fan testimonials to the sacred power of The Boss. Included in the collection are nearly 500 photos of Bruce and his E Street Band in action throughout the years."
Jeremy Goldmeier
Paste Magazine
December 2007
"If you are any kind of a Springsteen fan, you need this book!
The first story brought me to tears it was so moving and so well
written. I am not a big reader, but I sat there in my den last night with
the TV on and must have spent almost 2 hours just reading the stories and
looking over the great photos from the early years, and thinking back to my
younger days.
I can't wait to get home tonight to pick up where I left off in the
book. Do yourself a favor and grab this book while you still can, it is worth
every penny... My wife doesn't get why I am such a Springsteen freak, well I
am going to let her read this and maybe afterwards she will understand."
Steven Delmar
Edison New Jersey
"A new Bruce Springsteen book, For You, a collection of
stories, tales and fan experiences from around the
world, is now available in a limited edition run of
2,000. Over two years in preparation and containing
hundreds of stories and anecdotes written by
Springsteen's legion of admirers, as well as over 400
photographs, most of them never previously published,
For You serves as a unique volume for and by the
dedicated Springsteen fan.
'Unfortunately, there was no way to include them all.
All I can offer is that the tales that are there are
representative of so many other stories we received.
Fans will be able to identify and relate through the
memories of others. I promise you there is something
for everyone in this book.'
Although Kirsch requested the stories be submitted in
English, he received a number of stories in a wide
variety of the world's languages. So, to underscore
the fact the music made by Bruce Springsteen and the
legendary E Street Band, the Sessions Band - as well
as the other musicians and performers with whom
Springsteen has played - does indeed cross the
language barrier, touching fans across the globe,
Kirsch has scattered throughout the book some stories
written in languages other than English, his personal
recognition that For You is for the fanatical
Springsteen fan, no matter what language you actually
speak.
'I wanted everyone to feel included,' said Kirsch, 'so
these non-English language stories serve as reminders
that the Boss has a worldwide fan base and his music
and the Bruce Springsteen concert experience transcend
the boundaries of one specific language.'"
Modern Guitar Magazine
December 2007
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