Springsteen Drummer Max Weinberg and his Jukebox Rock the Gordon Center Royally

May 17, 2022 JMORE Staff

"Mighty Max" Weinberg has drummed for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band since 1974. (File photo by Stuart Zolotorow)

Glory days, indeed. Baltimore music fans were treated to what could be characterized as a “boss evening” as “Mighty Max” Weinberg, longtime drummer for rock icon Bruce Springsteen, and his four-piece band, Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, performed Thursday night, May 12, at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts in Owings Mills.

Weinberg, who for 17 years anchored the “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” house band, and his group performed an array of classic rock classics, ranging from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to Cream and CCR to the Ramones and Tom Petty to … Mr. Springsteen himself.

At his concerts, the 71-year-old E Street Band drummer invites audiences to create a setlist in real-time, challenging the band to play songs on demand. Besides the New Jersey-born Weinberg, who has kept the big beat for Springsteen for 48 years, Jukebox band members included Bob Burger, Glen Burtnik and John Merjave, all “blinded by the light” of rock ‘n’ roll.

Among those in attendance was Asher Brook, 10, who played cowbell on the Stones’ classic “Honky Tonk Women” with Max and the guys. (Asher had never played the cowbell before, but got the hang of it.)

Weinberg also told a few anecdotes, including about when he joined the E Street Band.

“There was an ad in the Village Voice for a drummer,” he recalled. “It said, ‘Wanted: drummer for a band. But we don’t want any junior Ginger Bakers [Cream’s drummer].’ Well I wasn’t a junior Ginger Baker, so me and 67 other drummers came to the audition. I got the job, I have been playing for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band ever since.”

Check out some photos from the concert:

During the interactive show, Max Weinberg went into the audience and told stories about his career, including a time when Bruce Springsteen asked why the drummer moves his mouth while pounding the beat. “Davening!” Weinberg told “The Boss.” (Photo by Stuart Zolotorow)
Jamming out the hits are Max Weinberg’s Jukebox members Bob Burger, on guitar and vocals, and Glen Burtnik, on bass guitar and vocals. (Photo by Stuart Zolotorow)
More Cowbell!! Keeping the beat on “Honky Tonk Women” with Max Weinberg’s Jukebox is Asher Brook, 10. (Photo by Stuart Zolotorow)
(Left to right) Bradley Hecht and his son, Gabriel, meet and greet the man with the beat, Max Weinberg. (Photo by Stuart Zolotorow)
The Mighty Max Weinberg (second from left) enjoys a few minutes catching up with (left to right) Aaron, Stephen and Leslie Pomerantz. (Photo by Stuart Zolotorow)

Photos by Stuart Zolotorow