LIPA musician reveals what ‘phenomenal moment’ of meeting Springsteen & McCartney was like

When rock legend Bruce Springsteen surprised students at LIPA by joining Sir Paul McCartney on a visit, he gave them a day they’ll never forget.

Ahead of The Boss and Macca teaming up on stage at Anfield in front of tens of thousands of fans, Springsteen had a much more intimate audience with excited young musicians at LIPA.

Among the lucky ones who met him was 21-year-old session guitarist and pianist Joseph Griffin who described it as “a once in a lifetime experience” meeting the two men who have inspired him.

He explains: “We knew about the possibility of meeting Springsteen for a week before, time permitting, but we had to keep the whole event a secret to avoid anything being leaked to the press. 

“Come the day, as I was sat at the front, I slowly watched the empty seats next to me be filled first with Steve Van Zandt and then by Paul McCartney to all of our collective disbelief. 

“we all enjoyed the talk that he gave, it was very insightful and inspiring, then after the event, those selected for the photo were taken out the side door to meet both Paul and Bruce. 

“They were both really lovely people and all students were able to talk to them for around five minutes. We were then co-ordinated by photographer Brian Roberts for the photographs before they were led away.

“These two musicians are the inspirations behind me starting music in the first place so being able to speak to them about music was incredible.”

Joseph, who comes from Penkridge near Stafford, has been playing for 10 years and is the founder and lead guitarist for a band called The Valentines.

The 70s-inspired rock soul band was actually based on groups like The E Street Band.

He says having the chance to meet Bruce and Sir Paul, then see them perform together the next night, was unbelievable.

“The experience was truly once in a lifetime, being able to meet two of the gtretest musicians of all time,” adds Joseph. “I want to say thanks to everyone for a phenomenal moment that I will never forget.”

Springsteen, who is 75, has been very open in his admiration for the Fab Four, talking about how The Beatles had a strong influence on shaping his musical tastes and describing performing in Liverpool as the fulfilment of a long-held dream.

He surprised an already ecstatic crowd by bringing his own idol, 82-year-old McCartney, out on stage on Saturday during his second gig in the city with his E Street Band on his Land of Hope and Dreams tour. The pair hugged on stage before singing a duet of The Beatles song, Can’t Buy Me Love.

It was a return home match for the two legends after they shared a stage when McCartney headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2022.

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