Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a concert by the legendary Bruce Springsteen here in Toronto.

To be honest, I don’t exactly have every album he has released although I do enjoy some of his more popular songs.

I also heard tell that his band featured one of music’s greatest sax players, along with a guitar-playing hit man from the TV series “The Sopranos.”

For what the ticket was costing me, I was expecting maybe it included food and booze. My, how times have changed – I remember watching Triumph and the Stampeders at Ontario Place for five bucks.

When we got down there I had the little devil sitting on my shoulder. Apparently, the scalpers were getting upwards of $1,000 for the good seats. I’m thinking to myself, ‘Wow, I could buy dinner, go Christmas shopping, put gas in my truck, hit my local for a night cap and still have something left over in the morning.’

Fortunately, the person who got her hands on these tickets of gold would have no part in it.

In we went, full of anticipation of what the night held in store for us. One of my friends wanted to buy a t-shirt to remember this historic occasion (not the concert, the fact he actually travelled outside of Don Mills).

He returned empty handed, mumbling something about $40 and being born yesterday.

On with the show…I knew I was in trouble when the first guitar note sent my heart into arrhythmia. These guys had “12s” on their amps.

I mean, talk about loud. Many of you who attended the OTA convention thought April Wine was loud.

Not even close, I’m talking ground shaking LOUD!

On with the show…at 20 minutes after eight, Bruce Springsteen took stage and proceeded to belt out hit after hit. People from 15 to 65 danced in their seats, screamed ’til they blew a lip and clapped with red, raw hands as the man put on one of the most entertaining concerts I have ever seen.

Talk about energy, I don’t know how old he is but I’m sure he’s on the other side of 50. He finished at 10:50 – two and one-half hours later.

That ladies and gentleman, was entertainment.

All any of us can ask is that they get value from their entertainment dollar.

Finding that extra dollar is getting harder and harder in today’s market conditions. Trust me, save your shekels and see the ‘Boss’ – you’ll get value and a whole lot more.

– Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Truck News and he can be reached at 416 442-2097.