On a remarkable Wednesday night in New York City, music legends Bruce Springsteen and Flea united on stage to deliver a captivating rendition of “Because the Night.” This electrifying performance was part of the event titled People Have The Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith, held at the iconic Carnegie Hall. The duo was accompanied by Tony Shanahan, a dedicated member of Smith’s band, alongside Charlie Sexton, a well-known guitarist from Bob Dylan‘s touring ensemble, and Steve Jordan, who plays drums for the Rolling Stones.

The night featured an array of talented artists, including Karen O, Michael Stipe, and Johnny Depp, all contributing to a cause that supports underserved youth music programs. This event not only celebrated Patti Smith‘s artistic influence but also raised vital funds for music education initiatives.

For those who missed the live experience, fan-filmed footage of “Because the Night” can be viewed below, allowing fans to relive the magic of this incredible collaboration.

The Backstory of Bruce Springsteen’s Gift of ‘Because the Night’ to Patti Smith

Back in June of 1977, Bruce Springsteen initially attempted to record “Because the Night” with his E Street Band, but he felt the outcome fell short of his expectations. Following this, his producer, Jimmy Iovine, shared a demo of the song with Patti Smith, who then infused it with her unique lyrics and recorded it with her band, the Patti Smith Group, for their acclaimed 1978 album Easter. The song became a significant hit, soaring to No. 13 in the U.S. and No. 5 in the U.K., solidifying its place in music history.

Reflecting on this collaboration, Springsteen expressed his admiration for Patti Smith in the book Why Patti Smith Matters (as reported by Variety), stating, “I was a tremendous admirer of Patti, you know, and I was just flattered that she was interested in collaborating. I was just happy that she found something that she could do with the song because that song would still be in my archives if it wasn’t for her. And it would be something that nobody had ever heard of.” His words capture the essence of artistic collaboration and the importance of sharing creative visions.