Springsteen at the Spectrum

Bruce Springsteen first played the Spectrum back in 1973, and the Boss is coming back to South Philadelphia twice more before the arena's appointment with the wrecking ball this fall. Springsteen and the E Street Band, whose new album, Working On A Dream, hits stores Tuesday, will play the Spectrum on April 28 and 29.

Springsteen, who will also play the Super Bowl halftime show on NBC this Sunday, is the latest big fish reeled in for the building that was the former home of the Sixers and Flyers. Tina Turner played the building in November, and Neil Young in September. Springsteen's 30 previous visits - including Dec. 8 and 9th, 1980, the night John Lennon was killed and a historic performance the following evening - rank him second among the Spectrum's most frequent performers, behind the Grateful Dead with 53. The Dead, reconstituted without the late Jerry Garcia, will play the building a week after Springsteen, on May 1 and 2.

Tickets go on sale Monday Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. on the web at ComcastTIX.com, on the phone at 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the Wachovia Center Complex and at select Acme Markets.

The Working On A Dream album is streaming at NPR.com. My review is here. And here's the full list of tour dates, including shows in Hershey, State College and at the Meadowlands.