BRIAN READE: ‘If only Macca, Jagger and Elton John took on the Establishment like Bruce Springsteen’

A Springsteen concert felt more like a political rally than a pop concert, Brian Reade says, with his fierce attacks on Donald Trump. And our own pop royalty could learn a thing or two from him

I went to watch Bruce Springsteen this week and was blown away. Not just by the talent and energy the 75-year-old poured into a three-and-a-half hour set at Anfield.

But his unflinching humanity, uncompromising principles, undying passion for the underdog, and unquenchable optimism in his fellow humans. All articulated in his utter despising of Donald Trump.

“The America I love and have sung to you about for so long, a beacon of hope for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration. Tonight we ask all of you who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices, stand with us against authoritarianism, and let freedom ring.”

That was how he opened the show, and throughout it, to much cheering and applause, he peppered his rousing back catalogue with fierce attacks on “an unfit President ” and a “demagogue”.

It felt more like a political rally than a pop concert, and, magnificently, it has truly riled the demagogue. After similar rhetoric in Manchester last month, the Great Man-Child called Springsteen “a pushy, obnoxious JERK” and accused him of treachery, wailing “this dried-out prune of a rocker ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the country”.

Thankfully he won’t. And it’s a joy to behold. Rather than phoning in his greatest hits and soaking in adulation as his bank account swells, he is channelling raw anger and urging his audience to join in his joyous rage.

I only wish some of Britain’s musical legends like Sir Mick, Sir Rod, Sir Elton and Sir Macca were equally as bold and used their platform to challenge Establishment injustices, instead of bathing in the reflected glory of ­knighthoods and not rocking the boat.

Springsteen’s stance takes real courage, exemplified in the kickback he is facing from sections of his blue-collar fanbase. Last week, in his home state of New Jersey, a Springsteen tribute band called No Surrender was dropped by a venue for fear of a MAGA backlash. His critics say it’s cheap posturing. That he’s a bad loser who, like the man he attacks, refuses to accept the will of the American people. That he should take a look at all the luvvies who came out for Kamala Harris last year and realise that celebrity endorsements are now dead.

But they are wrong. Anyone who hears Bruce express his pain over what is happening to his beloved country knows it’s genuine. Besides, he’s been sticking up for the underdog all of his career. During the 1985 miners’ strike he anonymously handed over a cheque for $20,000 to a support group.

As for those questioning his loyalty to America, what can be more patriotic than calling out the fake ­patriotism of a phoney President who has never cared about anyone but himself?

A chancer whose real aim as CEO of the US is to spread his brand to every corner of the world and redistribute wealth further towards his billionaire backers at the expense of the poor.

Trump and his people, The Boss told us on Wednesday, “have no concern or idea what it means to be deeply American. Despite its faults it is a great country. And we will survive this moment”. With true patriots like Springsteen around, America has a chance.