Springsteen adds benefit dates for Obama, soldiers

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Having announced that he and Billy Joel will play at an October 16 New York benefit for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, Bruce Springsteen is taking his activism to the next level.

In the coming days, the rock star will play acoustic sets at three rallies for Obama and voter registration. First up is an open-air rally Saturday (October 4) in Philadelphia, followed by a show the next day on the Ohio State campus in Columbus.

On Monday (October 6), Springsteen will visit Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.

In related news, the Boss and his wife and bandmate, Patti Scialfa, have signed on to perform November 5 at New York's Town Hall as part of the Stand Up for Heroes benefit. Proceeds from the event, which is part of the New York Comedy Festival, will be donated to the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation, which aids wounded soldiers transitioning to civilian life.

Reuters/Billboard