I only found out what it meant when I was writing this article. For forty years I just sang the lyrics and had no clue 😁 :-
“The Chicken Man was Philip Testa, a local Philly mob boss who had indeed been murdered (by a bomb) by an underling in March 1981, shortly before Bruce wrote "Atlantic City," suggesting that Bruce was catalyzed by the event to write the song.” Had involvement in the poultry industry supposedly 🤔
As someone else who grew up in the 80s, Springsteen and King -- while not necessarily linked in my case as they are with you -- were both big parts of my growing up. I actually got a first-edition hardcover copy of IT for my birthday in 1986. I ended up losing that particular copy a few years later, but I've pretty much kept a copy of that book around ever since. It's not my favorite King book -- that would be, as with you, The Stand -- but it's a major memory from my youth.
Ooft, that would have been a sore one losing that first edition 🤦🏻♂️
I think out of all the characters that King has ever created, Larry Underwood is my favourite. I can even remember the lyrics to his song, “Baby, can you dig your man” 😁
To me The Stand and Jungleland are inseparable due to the line, “They reach for their moment and try to make an honest stand” from the Springsteen song. Sums up the book perfectly
We did a lot of road trips as a kid from Boston where I grew up. Now I tend to just visit my parents and relatives but feel inspired to travel there again!
Boston was the first city we visited and is still one of our favourites. Need to go back soon 👍🏼
We went in the winter and decided to hire a red corvette cause you know it seemed like a good idea at the time. We drove down to Newport but didn’t account for the fact the weather can get a bit wild that time of year in Boston, and a massive snow storm blew in which turned a 90 minute journey into 3 hours. Still, Newport was lovely so it was worth the trip 😁
He never explained why that guy was called "The Chicken Man"...
I only found out what it meant when I was writing this article. For forty years I just sang the lyrics and had no clue 😁 :-
“The Chicken Man was Philip Testa, a local Philly mob boss who had indeed been murdered (by a bomb) by an underling in March 1981, shortly before Bruce wrote "Atlantic City," suggesting that Bruce was catalyzed by the event to write the song.” Had involvement in the poultry industry supposedly 🤔
A mobster nickname- I knew it.
A really lovely and personal read, Dan. Thanks for sharing.
Confession: never seen a Rocky film, never listened to any Springsteen! 😱
Shocking, I know. But regardless of those facts, I loved all of this and getting to read about your trip.
Thanks very much Nathan. Glad you enjoyed it 🙏
Fair enough on the Rocky movies, but you got to listen to some Springsteen! 😁
Shocked!!!
This piece was simply lovely, Dan! I was with you every step of the way and loved that you did that interweaving thing 😉 with King and Springsteen.
Thanks very much Caro. I’m so glad you liked it 🙏
I’m happy to hear the King mentions worked as these two guys are intrinsically linked for me and I can’t imagine one without the other 👍🏼
As someone else who grew up in the 80s, Springsteen and King -- while not necessarily linked in my case as they are with you -- were both big parts of my growing up. I actually got a first-edition hardcover copy of IT for my birthday in 1986. I ended up losing that particular copy a few years later, but I've pretty much kept a copy of that book around ever since. It's not my favorite King book -- that would be, as with you, The Stand -- but it's a major memory from my youth.
Ooft, that would have been a sore one losing that first edition 🤦🏻♂️
I think out of all the characters that King has ever created, Larry Underwood is my favourite. I can even remember the lyrics to his song, “Baby, can you dig your man” 😁
To me The Stand and Jungleland are inseparable due to the line, “They reach for their moment and try to make an honest stand” from the Springsteen song. Sums up the book perfectly
Thanks for reading Colin. I appreciate it 👍🏼
There’s loads to discover in the US! Loved this, Dan.
Thanks very much Kathleen 🙏
Yeah, we first went to the US for our honeymoon over 20 years ago and just love going back 👍🏼
We did a lot of road trips as a kid from Boston where I grew up. Now I tend to just visit my parents and relatives but feel inspired to travel there again!
Boston was the first city we visited and is still one of our favourites. Need to go back soon 👍🏼
We went in the winter and decided to hire a red corvette cause you know it seemed like a good idea at the time. We drove down to Newport but didn’t account for the fact the weather can get a bit wild that time of year in Boston, and a massive snow storm blew in which turned a 90 minute journey into 3 hours. Still, Newport was lovely so it was worth the trip 😁
Haha you never know with Boston weather!!