Steven Van Zandt calls England a police state

Steven Van Zandt is not mincing words about the power being pulled on the Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band's show at Hard Rock Calling in London, especially since they had just started playing with special guest Paul McCartney.

One of the great gigs ever in my opinion. But seriously, when did England become a police state?

We break curfews in every country but only English cops needs to "punish us" by not letting us leave until the entire crowd goes.

Is there just too much fun in the world? We would have been off by 11 if we'd done one more. On a Saturday night! Who were we disturbing?

The cops got nothing more important to do? How about they go catch some criminals instead of fucking with 80,000 people having a good time?

English cops may be the only individuals left on earth that wouldn't want to hear one more from Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney!

I'm sorry but I have to be honest I'm pissed. Like I said, it didn't ruin the great night. But when I'm jamming with McCartney don't bug me!

If it's a public transport issue I'm sorry but people are adult enough to go get a train if they need to without the cops pulling the plug!

Very proud of our association with Hard Rock Calling and Hard Rock in general and what they're doing for Rock music.

Hard Rock would have let us play all night.There's no grudges to be held.

Just feel bad for our great fans. Hard Rock is cool. Live Nation is cool. It's some City Council stupid rule.

Five hours later, Van Zandt did try to do some damage control, tweeting "Nobody's blaming England! I owe my life (and radio format) to the British Invasion! And I hear this Boris Johnson is a cool dude."

Springsteen, McCartney and the band had only made it through I Saw Her Standing There and Twist and Shout when the stage power went out.

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