Springsteen kicks off concert tour

Bruce Springsteen kicked off his latest concert tour last night at an arena within sight of New York’s changed skyline, playing songs inspired by the terrorist attacks.

Standing in near darkness, Springsteen began singing The Rising, with full stage lights coming on when he reached the gospel-like chorus.

Half his set came from his new album, also called The Rising. It is the fastest selling disc in his career, with 526,000 copies sold since its release on July 30.

The tour of 46 cities began in Springsteen’s home state, at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City.

Many of the 2,823 people killed at the World Trade Centre on September 11 were from New Jersey, including more than 150 from Monmouth County, where Springsteen owns a farm.

Springsteen has said he was inspired to make the album partly by a fan’s shout, ‘‘We need you,’’ when he was taking his children to the beach shortly after the attacks.

It is his first rock album in nearly two decades with his longtime compadres, the E Street Band.

During the song Lonesome Day, he beseeched the audience to raise their hands during a chorus of ‘‘it’s all right.’’

Many in the audience greeted him with a cheer of ‘‘Bruce’’ and roaring with familiarity when Clarence Clemons stepped forward for his first saxophone solo.

Springsteen concerts are usually marathons that are part revival meeting, part party, and always with a social message.

In addition to the new songs, he performed several old favourites during his two hour, 25 minute set, including Born to Run, Glory Days, Thunder Road and Born in the USA.

He is booked for 39 concerts in 39 North American cities, and seven in Europe - the first leg of what is expected to be at least a year on the road.