Meet the Edinburgh Bruce Springsteen superfan…

Meet the Edinburgh Bruce Springsteen superfan following his hero for 40 years

An Edinburgh Bruce Springsteen superfan who saw him play at the Playhouse over 40 years ago has recounted the time he saw the legendary solo artist perform in the city.

Originally from Edinburgh, Julian Anderton, 60, saw the American songwriter and veteran of 21 albums at the Playhouse Theatre in 1981. Julian, who now lives in Preston, Lancashire, was working as an usher at the theatre when The Boss performed in the capital.

During his day off, over forty years ago, Julian went along to the gig not knowing who the singer even was - and was so amazed by the performance he saw that night he would go on to see Springsteen all over Europe.

Dancing in the Dark and Born to Run legend Bruce is due to play at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Tuesday night - with hundreds of people seen queuing outside hours before doors are to be open to the public.

Semi-retired Julian was in the crowd waiting to get to see his hero perform. He told Edinburgh Live of that 'amazing' night which happened over four decades ago. He said: "I've been a fan ever since, I have been to around 30 concerts mainly all over Europe.

"I love his music and his live shows are unbelievably good, they are full of energy and he's written 21 albums and they are all just top stuff."

Julian went on to talk about the days leading up to the night he saw Bruce play all those years ago. He told how fans of the singer queued for days to be in with a chance to see him perform at the Playhouse.

He added: "The show and place was absolutely jumping from the first song to the last song, full of energy, and if you ask anyone they would say the same."

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Hundreds of fellow Springsteen fans joined Julian on Tuesday afternoon hours before the gates of Murrayfield opened.

Many shared special memories of going to see the icon live - with one couple recalling having their first wedding dance to a Bruce classic.

Enda Mccallan, from Northern Ireland, has gone to see the singer at least once on every single tour over the past 20 years.

Enda is from North Ireland and has been at least one of Bruce's gigs in the last 20 years. (Steven Brown)

This is the first time Enda has travelled outside Northern Ireland to see the artist. Looking forward to seeing his favourite hit Born to Run, he said: "I am a huge fan and I grew up with his music."

He went on to say that he loves Bruce Springsteen so much because of "his ability to capture life itself."

Mike and Donna Clarke travelled from Manchester. They are celebrating in style on their 50th time seeing the icon - after having his song If I Should Fall Behind play as their wedding song.

Mike and Donna have travelled from Manchester and have a few interesting tales to tell. (Steven Brown)

They have seen Bruce play in Barcelona, Dublin, Rome - and in America at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.

Mike even met Bruce Springsteen at the Hammersmith Apollo in London "many years ago" when he snuck backstage and tried to shake his hand.

Unfortunately, security saw him and "lifted him out" but he was allowed to stay for the rest of the show. Veronica Farrell, 60, and Pauline Harrison, 52 travelled from Worcestershire to see Bruce Springsteen play.