Ah, if only this was a normal time. We'd probably be eagerly parsing rumors of a new album and subsequent tour by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, but then again, we'd also probably be leaving our houses. Instead Bruce and Patti are holed up at their Jersey compound giving each other haircuts, and the rest of us are home shopping online for face coverings.
But that's not to say there's been no Bruce News to report: In fact, there have been more than a few developments in recent weeks that have been worthy of note -- even if a new album and tour feel just way too far off right now.
A few highlights you may have missed (and a few you probably caught but might want to view again -- because what else do you have to do?):
• First off, if you've got an hour to kill, you can do a lot worse than re-watching Jersey 4 Jersey, the virtual concert to benefit the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (and featuring two killer performances by Bruce and Patti, natch).
• Speaking of which, a River Tour (the first one!) spectacular from July 9, 1981 at Brendan Byrne Arena in New Jersey is the latest Springsteen official live offering, also to benefit the N.J. Pandemic Relief Fund.
• The great Dion announced last week that the Springsteens would be featured on a track from his upcoming album "Blues With Friends," and that track debuted today. "Hymn to Him" ("Him" being Jesus, duh) features some killer backing vocals from Patti and a bluesy guitar solo from Bruce.
• I'm going to go out on a limb and declare Melissa Etheridge to be the best Springsteen cover-er out there -- and if you don't believe me, check out the excellent Bruce-only edition of her daily #ConcertsFromHome series.
• So apparently a secret video of Bruce Springsteen performing with John Fogerty at Fogerty's 50th birthday party in 1995 has been hiding on John Stamos's phone, and now it's out -- including a possibly never heard lost Springsteen song snippet. These are weird times.
• Hannah Summers of Burgers and Bruce gets some love from The Telegraph for her 24-hour virtual Springsteen charity rave coming May 2-3.
• Decider credits Bruce with the invention of "Grandpa Rock" to mark the "Western Stars" arrival on HBO.
• Curious about the setlist for Bruce's latest "Springsteen at Home" DJ set on E Street Radio? USA Today has you covered.
• Speaking of DJs, Philly Pressbox Radio catches up with everyone's favorite "Bruce Bunch" host, Tom Cunningham:
• Jesse has been killing it on the quarantine editions of the Set Lusting Bruce podcast.
• The forthcoming Springsteen book "Bruce Springsteen: All the Songs, The Story Behind Every Track," sounds exhaustive -- and maybe even exhausting.
• And finally, Stevie unveils his new alias, "Trenton Quarantino."