On October 17, 1999 Staples Center (now known as Crypto.com Arena) opened its doors to the public with a sold out series of four concerts by Bruce Springsteen and his recently reunited E Street Band.
Despite being built by the owners of the LA Kings and minority-owners of the Lakers, the $375 million arena in downtown LA, it was the Boss who had the honor of breaking the seal of the 20,000 seat venue.
Springsteen has performed in California over 150 times, but he’s not a big fan of luxury boxes in the middle levels of arenas – of which Staples has three levels of glassed-in top dollar boxes – so he has preferred playing at the Forum, and now-demolished Sports Arena.
“Too many sky boxes!” he said complained opening night “It’s important for you folks up there … to come out of your rooms to see a rock show.”
read more at: Setlist.fm
