Bruce, R.E.M. Rock Detroit Bands rock Motown while bashing W DETROIT, MICHIGAN OCTOBER 3, 2004 The great Bruce Springsteen & his E Street Band rolled into Cobo Arena and brought along a few friends.  Those friends just happened to be legendary Athens, Georgia rockers R.E.M. and former Credence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty.

The gleaming marquee was created by Springsteen, who united several artists in the "Vote for Change" concert tour of 6 states.  The sites were strategically selected as critical 'swing' states in the upcoming 2004 presidential election.  The group's agenda is clear: motivate the liberal base to kick President Bush out. 

We went anyway.

Here's your inside takes on the show:

- A pleasant surprise was the lack of bleeding heart speeches by the bands.  Yes, Michael Stipe and Bruce took turns during their sets to speak to the crowd, but the focus was thankfully on the music.

- R.E.M. performed before Bruce, led by the strong presence of the lily white-suited frontman Stipe.  The once introverted Stipe has somehow developed a comfortable stage presence in his later years, at times getting downright goofy.  Witness the AP photo above, as the R.E.M. vocalist flails around  to Bruce's amusement.  Seriously, Stipe's arm swipes dared you to look away.

- The highlight of the R.E.M. set was Bruce joining the band for a few verses of Man on the Moon.   I think I've heard that Bruce is a big Elvis fan, and he seemed to take particular pleasure singing the lines, "Andy are you goofin' on Elvis? (hey baby)", and offering up his best Fat Elvis signature salute.

- Bruce was outstanding as always, but I'll leave the show review/rating to the authority.  But the addition of Fogerty up to sing Centerfield, and later CCR hits Travelin' Band and  Fortunate Son made the night for me.  Fogerty was very hyped up and was truly thrilled to be playing with the E Street crew.  He sounded great.

- The Dixie Chicks showed up at the end of the show to join a group number.  I didn't stick around for the tune, but I couldn't help but notice that DC's talented lead singer Natalie Maines either put on 75 lbs or swallowed Stipe on her way up to the stage.   She was huge.

- Speaking of the other bands participating in the Vote for Change tour, I saw Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder in an interview on TV.  When I was in college, Eddie Vedder was probably one of the coolest dudes on earth, apologies to Kurt Cobain, Axel Rose and Jon Bon Jovi.  Now he looks and talks like a loser.  Hey Eddie, Jeremy spoke in class today and he told me you're a dork.

- Back to Stipe.  The guy is something.  He actually twice came around from backstage to join the fans in general admission to watch Bruce rock the house.  He turned around starry-eyed to check out the crowd as they turned up the lights (as they do) for Born to Run.  He even provided us a couple subtle arm contorts to solidify his place as the white Gumby for another evening.  Well done.

- You want some more on the show?  Perhaps gd.com Bruce columnist Lew P. will provide his takes, or you can go to backstreets.com/setlists for more on the show.  Here's Bruce's set:

Setlist: Bad Day (with REM)/Man on the Moon (with REM)//The Star-Spangled Banner/Born in the U.S.A./Badlands/No Surrender/The Ties That Bind/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Johnny 99/Youngstown/Centerfield (with Fogerty)/Deja Vu All Over Again (with Fogerty)/Fortunate Son (with Fogerty)/The Promised Land (with Fogerty)/The Rising/Because the Night (with Stipe)/Mary's Place/Born to Run (with Mills and Buck)//Travelin' Band (with Fogerty)/(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding (with all)/People Have the Power (with all, plus the Dixie Chicks)