Springsteen packs them in for Jazz Fest

[April 30, 2012]  NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Bruce Springsteen has closed out the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with a 2 1/2-hour show that combined crowd-pleasers such as "Born to Run" with the cover tune of his new CD, "Wrecking Ball."

Fans began staking out spots when the Fair Grounds opened at 11 a.m. Sunday, rushing from the entrance gates to spread blankets and set up chairs close to the stage. By the time Springsteen stepped on stage fans were stretched around the fairgrounds track, some standing 10 to 12 people deep.

At one point New Orleans blues legend Dr. John took the stage with Springsteen, joining him on "Something You Got."

Springsteen last played Jazz Fest in 2006.

Soul singer Al Green closed out the day on the Congo Square stage.

[Associated Press; By MARY FOSTER]

Associated Press writer Chevel Johnson contributed to this story.

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