2016 Presidential Medal Of Freedom Honorees Include Ellen, Springsteen & De Niro

Via press release from the White House:

Today, President Barack Obama named 21 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The awards will be presented at the White House on November 22th.

President Obama said, "The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation's highest civilian honor - it's a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better. From scientists, philanthropists, and public servants to activists, athletes, and artists, these 21 individuals have helped push America forward, inspiring millions of people around the world along the way."

Among the honorees are openly gay Ellen DeGeneres, and two of Donald Trump's biggest critics - Robert De Niro and Bruce Springsteen.

Here's the full list:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Elouise Cobell (posthumous)
Ellen DeGeneres
Robert De Niro
Richard Garwin
Bill and Melinda Gates
Frank Gehry
Margaret H. Hamilton
Tom Hanks
Grace Hopper (posthumous)
Michael Jordan
Maya Lin
Lorne Michaels
Newt Minow
Eduardo Padrón
Robert Redford
Diana Ross
Vin Scully
Bruce Springsteen
Cicely Tyson

This event will be streamed live at: www.whitehouse.gov/live.

Bruce Springsteen On "Flagrant, Toxic, Narcissist" Donald Trump

Bruce Springsteen doesn't mince words here calling out White House hopeful Donald Trump for his current "scorched earth" approach to the final weeks of the presidential campaign.

“He’s such a flagrant, toxic narcissist that he wants to take down the entire democratic system with him if he goes.”

Bruce Springsteen Opens Brooklyn Concert With Prince Tribute "Purple Rain"

Taking to the stage awash in purple light, Bruce Springsteen opened his concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn last night with a mournful version of Prince's "Purple Rain."

Steven Van Zandt On Cancelled North Carolina Concert: Economic Impact Is All The Haters Understand

E-Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt spoke to the Associated Press after Bruce Springsteen and the band canceled their North Carolina concert due to the state's new anti-LGBT law, HB 2.

From Rolling Stone:

“We just felt the issue was just too important,” Van Zandt said. “This really vile and evil discrimination is starting to spread state to state and we thought, ‘We better take a stand right now and catch it early.'”

“It’s unfortunately the only way people understand. You have to hurt them economically in order to have them do the right thing morally, unfortunately,” the guitarist said, adding that he hoped Springsteen’s efforts in the state would “set some kind of example for others.”

Bruce Springsteen Cancels North Carolina Concert To Stand With LGBT "Freedom Fighters"

Bruce Springsteen cancels North Carolina concert over attack on LGBT rights

Bruce Springsteen proves, once again, that he is The Boss.

From his official website:

As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the “bathroom” law. HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use. Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace.

No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress. Right now, there are many groups, businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and overcome these negative developments. Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters.

As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band’s April 10th show is canceled. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band’s April 10th show is canceled. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. https://t.co/YahXTKffvV

— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) April 8, 2016

Voice your opposition of discriminatory legislation like #HB2 by contacting your elected officials. Find them here: https://t.co/OBpJsZpXRi

— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) April 8, 2016

Proud to be in the E Street Band. https://t.co/4OpgGageXz

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) April 8, 2016

Bruce Springsteen and Chris Martin Step In For Injured Bono At World AIDS Day Concert

Bruce Springsteen sings with U2 in Times Square on World AIDS Day

After a Central Park bike accident put Bono in the hospital with serious injuries, it looked like U2's World AIDS Day concert in Times Square was not going to happen.

Until, Bruce Springsteen (!) and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin stepped up and stepped in for the still recovering Bono.

Springsteen performed "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" alongside U2's Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. in Times Square in front of few hundred fans, who stood in the rain.

Aside from highlighting the fight against AIDS, the night's other theme was supporting an injured Bono. Springsteen said he hoped the 54-year-old was recovering in Dublin, and Martin told the crowd after performing: "Sending my love to Bono."

A bike accident in Central Park last month left Bono with multiple injuries, including a facial fracture involving his left eye socket, a fractured left shoulder blade and a fractured left elbow. He underwent a five-hour surgery.

Martin, who wore a T-Shirt that read "Substitu2," sang "Beautiful Day" and "With or Without You."

Kanye West and Carrie Underwood also contributed performances. Watch the concert below:

Chris Martin of Coldplay with U2 on World AIDS Day

(from AP)

Bruce Springsteen's new #1 CD - "High Hopes"

Bruce Springsteen's new CD - "HIGH HOPES" -  is currently #1 on Amazon and iTunes.

Via press release:

High Hopes, Bruce Springsteen’s 18th studio album, was released on Jan. 14, 2014 on Columbia Records. The album, which was recorded in multiple settings in New Jersey, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Australia and New York City, features Springsteen with members of the E Street Band and guitarist Tom Morello, among others.

“This is music I always felt needed to be released,” writes Springsteen about High Hopes. “From the gangsters of ‘Harry's Place,’ the ill-prepared roomies on ‘Frankie Fell In Love’ (shades of Steve and I bumming together in our Asbury Park apartment), the travelers in the wasteland of ‘Hunter Of Invisible Game,’ to the soldier and his visiting friend in ‘The Wall,’ I felt they all deserved a home and a hearing.”

Bruce Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. He has sold more than 65 million albums in the U.S. and 120 million worldwide. Springsteen has won 20 Grammys, an Academy Award, was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009 and performed during halftime at the Super Bowl the same year.

Bruce Springsteen to campaign for President Obama

Bruce Springsteen will join former President Bill Clinton at a rally in Parma, Ohio, on Tuesday, the day of the second presidential debate. Obama will not attend the rally.

"The Boss" campaigned for Obama in 2008, but this is his first political appearance of the 2012 cycle.

Clinton has become an increasingly prominent surrogate for Obama, campaigning for the president in several battleground states.

(source)

Bruce Springsteen on marriage equality

From TheFour2012.com