Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, May 3: Despite a legendary career spanning over five decades, Bruce Springsteen says he still feels nervous before hitting the stage.

In a candid interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, the 74-year-old music icon described the feeling as “anticipatory anxiety.”

“You’re about to test yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually,” Springsteen said, according to People. “Every night you’re going to call on all those parts of your personality and be as alive as you can be… I believe that’s what the audience pays for.”

Known for marathon performances that often last more than four hours, Springsteen said his nerves usually disappear once the show begins.

“There’s always some anticipation before I go out on stage, which pretty much disappears the minute I count in the band,” he said.

The Born to Run singer currently has 16 European shows lined up from May to July. And despite his age, he has no plans to retire.

At a 2024 performance in Philadelphia, he dismissed the idea of a farewell tour:

“We ain’t doing no farewell tour. Jesus Christ. No farewell tour for the E Street Band! Farewell to what? Thousands of people screaming your name? Yeah, I wanna quit that.”

Guitarist Steven Van Zandt echoed that sentiment in a July 2024 interview with The Telegraph, saying:

“I don’t see the end anywhere in sight. We’re bigger than we’ve ever been in Europe. I think we can play every summer forevermore.”

With 20 Grammy Awards and over 140 million records sold, Springsteen continues to prove that rock 'n' roll has no age limit.