Dave Van Ronk / Doris Abrahams / Bruce Springsteen

First of two shows, triple bill, with the bottom-billed Springsteen (solo) opening for headliner Dave Van Ronk and the second-billed Doris Abrahams. Van Ronk's six-night (twelve-show) residency at Max's Kansas City included Bruce's first series of 'official' public performances after signing with Columbia, although there was absolutely no CBS sponsored promotion of the event. The club's earliest promotional material for this residency only mentions Dave Van Ronk and not the two unknown 'understudies'. A later advertisement mentions Van Ronk and Abrahams, but not Springsteen. However, an advertisement from mid-residency mentions Bruce. It is likely that Bruce was a last-minute addition to the billing but performed at all the shows. Bruce's inclusion on the bill may have been arranged by John Hammond, a good friend of Van Ronk. Springsteen has briefly mentioned opening for Van Ronk, with his most well-known comments coming during the 1990 Christic Benefit gigs. Shortly before Van Ronk died he also acknowledged letting Bruce open for him during his 1972 residency at Max's (Van Ronk's only appearances at the club that year).