Their live performance took place at the Brisbane Entertainment Center in Australia. Springsteen spotted his sign in the audience and the New Jersey rocker inquired if he knew the song on guitar. Nathan Testa held up a sign that read: “Missed school, in the s*** now, can I play ‘Growin’ up” with you?”
“You know it on guitar?” Springsteen asked Testa, prior to inviting him to come up on stage. He even gave him a rock and roll lesson on how to pose with the guitar, and how to rock out. It is safe to say that Bruce Springsteen is “The Boss” for a reason.
Springsteen was visibly blown away by the boy’s talent. They shared a microphone as they belted out the classic rock song on electric and acoustic guitars played by Springsteen and Testa respectively. Springsteen subsequently proclaimed him as “the future of rock and roll.”
Following the warm reception and tremendous response from the Aussie audience, they hugged, shook hands and even took selfies together. “Let’s hear it for him,” Springsteen told the sold-out venue.
“Growin’ Up” is the second track featured on Springsteen’s breakthrough studio album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., which was released in January of 1973.
