BARRY LEVINE: Springsteen still wowing on Broadway

AFTER SIX MONTHS, the hottest show on Broadway remains Bruce Springsteen’s one-man, two-hour and 20-minute show of singing and storytelling at the 939-seat Walter Kerr Theater.

“Springsteen on Broadway” opened on Oct. 3 and is expected to continue through Dec. 15, the show’s third and final extension. The show reportedly earned $2.33 million during its first seven days. “Springsteen on Broadway” has already earned more than $50 million.

A 23-time Grammy winner, Springsteen wrote and directed the show. Of the show’s 15 songs, Patti Scialfa, Springsteen’s wife, joins him for two numbers.

For those of us who can’t travel to New York and then pay the $1,000 per ticket, here’s a list of the songs he performs during the show: “Growin’ Up,” “My Hometown,” “My Father’s House,” “The Wish,” “Thunder Road,” “The Promised Land,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” “Tougher Than the Rest,” “Brilliant Disguise,” “Long Walk Home,” “The Ring,” “Dancing in the Dark,” “Land of Hope and Dreams” and “Born to Run.”

Too bad he didn’t include The Old Rocker’s favorite Springsteen song “Glory Days.”

ALTHOUGH TONY BURROWS NEVER had a hit record under his name, he possesses the unusual distinction of having sung five Top 15 hits for five different groups. The songs were:

— Edison Lighthouse’s “Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes,” No. 5, Feb. 1970.

— White Plains’ “My Baby Loves Lovin’,” No.13, March 1970.

— The Pipkins’ “Gimme Dat Ding,” No. 9, April 1970.

— The Brotherhood Of Man’s “United We Stand,” No. 13, July 1970.

— First Class’ “Beach Baby,” No. 4, July 1974.

The 76-year-old British singer managed only one chart single as a solo artist in the U.S. In 1970, Burrows hit the Hot 100 with “Melanie Makes Me Smile,” which peaked at No. 87.

WHEN ERIC CLAPTON WAS inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, he became the first – and only — person to be inducted three times. He was also enshrined as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream.

Many artists have entered the Hall twice, including the four Beatles, four members of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Yardbirds’ Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, Johnny Carter, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, Clyde McPhatter, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, Sammy Strain and Ronnie Wood.

One of the greatest guitarists of all-time, Clapton grew frustrated with The Yardbirds when they released “For Your Love,” a pop song written by Graham Gouldman, a non-group member. He left and formed Cream in 1966, where he scored hits with “Sunshine Of Your Love” and “White Room.” After that group’s demise, he joined another supergroup, Blind Faith, before forming Derek and the Dominoes, yet another short-lived unit that produced the breathtaking “Layla” album. He also played with The Beatles, doing solo work on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Solo work took Clapton out of his comfort zone, especially when it came to vocals, but it gave him the freedom he needed. His solo hits include “Lay Down Sally,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “Tears In Heaven” and a cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff.”

Clapton’s presenter at the 2000 ceremony was Robbie Robertson who was a member of The Band when the group was inducted in 1994. Clapton was the inductee for Robertson’s group.

ANOTHER SUPERSTAR IS saying goodbye.

Kenny Rogers has canceled his remaining tour dates due to “health challenges,” his representative said last month.

The 79-year-old musician was midway through a farewell tour, with dates slated for Nevada, Rhode Island and the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif.

“I didn’t want to take forever to retire,” Rogers said in his statement. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years on ‘The Gambler’s Last Deal’ tour. I could never properly thank them for the encouragement and support they’ve given me throughout my career and the happiness I’ve experienced as a result of that.”

In 2015, Rogers announced his intent to retire from touring following one last farewell tour. “The Gambler’s Last Deal” tour, named for his 1978 album, was scheduled to conclude in August.

Rogers joins music royalty Neil Diamond, Paul Simon and Elton John who announced earlier this year that they are retiring from touring.

The singer released 80 singles with 21 reaching No. 1 on the country music charts. His longest-lasting No. 1 hits on that chart were “The Gambler” and “Coward of the County” at three weeks each. Two of his No.1 country hits —“Lady” and “Islands in the Stream,” the latter a duet with Dolly Parton — also reached No.1 on the Hot 100. “Islands in the Stream” spent six weeks at the top, making it his most successful single on all charts.

While Rogers is known for his plethora of country hits, he was once a member of the highly popular folk group New Christy Minstrels. He can be heard singing the chorus of their hit record, “Green, Green” behind the lead vocal of Barry McGuire, who would later have a solo smash with “Eve Of Destruction.” “Green Green” peaked at No. 14 and was the New Christy Minstrels’ biggest hit. “Eve of Destruction” was a No. 1 hit in 1965 and was McGuire’s only Top 40 hit.

This week in rock history: Ike and Tina Turner received their only Gold record for their version of “Proud Mary” on May 6, 1971. The song peaked at No. 4. … Albany’s Ray Charles reached the top of the R&B chart for the first time on May 7, 1955 with “I Got A Woman.” It was later ranked No. 235 of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by “Rolling Stone.” … The Doors performed at Detroit’s Cobo Arena in May 8, 1970, where John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful joined them for six songs. Unfortunately, the show ran past its midnight curfew, contrary to the guidelines by the American Federation Of Musicians, and The Doors would be banned from returning to Cobo. A recording of the concert would be released in 2000 as “Live In Detroit.” … After 14 weeks at No. 1, The Beatles were finally pushed from the top spot by 63-year-old Louis Armstrong’s “Hello Dolly” on May 9, 1964. … The Turtles and The Temptations performed at the White House for a ball given by Tricia Nixon, the president’s daughter, on May 10, 1969. … The Everly Brothers enjoyed their second chart topper with “All I Have To Do Is Dream” on May 12, 1959.

Barry Levine is an entertainment writer for The Albany Herald. He can be reached at [email protected].