In 2002 , Springsteen released his first studio effort with the full band in 18 years , '' The Rising '' , produced by Brendan O'Brien . The album , mostly a reflection on the September 11 attacks , was a critical and popular success . ( Many of the songs were influenced by phone conversations Springsteen had with family members of victims of the attacks who in their obituaries had mentioned how his music touched their lives . ) The title track gained airplay in several radio formats , and the record became Springsteen 's best-selling album of new material in 15 years . Kicked off by an early-morning Asbury Park appearance on '' The Today Show '' , The Rising Tour commenced , barnstorming through a series of single-night arena stands in the U.S. and Europe to promote the album in 2002 , then returning for large-scale , multiple-night stadium shows in 2003 . Springsteen maintained a loyal hardcore fan base particularly in Europe and along the U.S. coasts . He played an unprecedented 10 nights in Giants Stadium in New Jersey , a ticket-selling feat to which no other musical act has come close . During these shows Springsteen thanked those fans who were attending multiple shows and those who were coming from long distances or another country ; the advent of robust Springsteen-oriented online communities had made such practices more common . The Rising Tour concluded with three nights in Shea Stadium , highlighted by renewed controversy over " American Skin " and a guest appearance by Bob Dylan
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Bruce Springsteen