John Mellencamp explained his close friendship with Bruce Springsteen, calling the boss a “big brother” to him.

Classic rock icons recently collaborated on a new duo called “Wasted Days”. While promoting the track, Mellencamp called up SiriusXM’s E Street Radio and opened up about his relationship with Springsteen.

“I would consider Bruce now, one of my best friends in the music business. Bruce and I talk a lot, ”Mellencamp revealed. “I think he and I are related to each other because we had similar experiences growing up in a small town. For starters, big band leaders.

Mellencamp went on to recall the first time he and Springsteen played together.

“In the 80s, I played at Laguna Beach [Calif.]. Bruce came on stage with me and played ‘Way Back Then’, “explained Mellencamp. A certain charisma on stage and that’s how we got over it, because I didn’t have afraid of making a fool of myself.

Sharing the stage with Springsteen, however, turned out to be a whole different feeling.

“Bruce took the stage… And I remember that, he was the only guy I ever sang with – and I sang with a lot of people – who I could feel his presence next to mine.” . I always had the feeling, you know, that whoever I sang with was eclipsing them because of my presence. But when Springsteen took the stage, it was like, ‘Jesus Christ, this guy has energy.’ “

Despite his collaboration in the ’80s, Mellencamp admitted that he only became close friends with Springsteen much more recently, when the rockers joined forces at Sting’s Rainforest Benefit concert in 2019.

“At the rainforest thing, Bruce and I hooked up and we just started talking and the next thing you know, we talk all the time and, he’s like my, like my big brother now,” confessed. Mellencamp. “Now I told him about anything, everything and anything. So it’s very lucky that people our age can relate to someone else who has a similar background. And we have more to talk about than just meeting a fan or someone you grew up with, because when you grow up with someone, you have a lot of time to talk to them.

Even though the rockers have come together, Mellencamp continues to admire Springsteen.

“Bruce, for guys like me, I’m a few years younger. He left a big imprint and he said here, fill it in, ”Mellencamp explained. “He inspired a lot of people to work a little harder than they normally did. Because we all know musicians are lazy bums. [laughs]”