MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct 28 (AFP) - Rock icon Bruce Springsteen sent megastar wattage surging through John Kerry`s White House campaign Thursday, whipping up a crowd of least 80,000 people at a rocking rally in swing state Wisconsin.
"The Boss," famed for hits including "Born in the USA," said Kerry had lived his country`s history for 50 years, and painted him as true guardian of the gritty working folk and American fables that people his songs.
Thousands of spectators packed balconies on neat wooden houses along a mile-long stretch of road climbing up the Midwest state`s white Capitol, packed with what fire chiefs said was at least 80,000 people.
Springsteen, making a rare foray into campaign politics, said his songs were about "who we are, what we stand for, what we fight for now, I believe these essential ideas about America (are) what is at stake on November 2."
"I believe Senator Kerry honours these ideas, he has lived our history for the last 50 years. He has formed an adult view of America and its people," the rocker said, as golden leaves floated from the trees onto his stage.
"The future is now, and it`s time to let our passions loose," said Springsteen, clad in a simple dark jacket and blue pants, strumming his black acoustic guitar.
"I am here today to stand alongside Senator Kerry and say that the country we carry in our hearts is waiting, and together we can move America towards its deepest ideas," Springsteen after playing his song "Promised Land."
Then, he joked: "Besides, we have had a sax player in the House, we need a guitar in player in the White House," -- a reference to former president Bill Clinton.
"This is for you John," Springsteen said, as he launched into his hit "No Surrender" which Kerry has adopted as his political anthem.
In this quintissentially American political show, Kerry entered, beaming as he bounded up a ramp to the stage, slapping palms and punching the air, before embracing Springsteen, each step greedily recorded by hundreds of television cameras.
"No retreat baby, no surrender," Kerry roared, parroting the lines of the theme song, which booms out every time he takes the stage at a political event.
And he took a sharp jab at President George W. Bush`s fitness for office: "When George Bush heard the Boss was playing, and was going to be here with me today, he thought they meant Dick Cheney!"
And the presence of Springsteen, or a desire to pander to young people in the crowd, seemed to bring out a rebellious streat in Kerry.
"I tell, you being on the campaign trail is a bit like being back in college, late nights, a lot of beer and ... cold pizza."
Springsteen was due to fly on with Kerry later on Thursday for a rally in Columbus, Ohio, before joining him for an election eve rally in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 1.
He had previously stayed out of campaign politics, but said the issues were so important in this election he could no longer stay on the sidelines.
Madison Assistant Fire Chief Carl Saxe told AFP that at least 80,000 people were in the main crowd, while, at least 20,000 more were trying to get in on sidestreets, making the rally the biggest event in Madison`s history.
Kerry`s aides watched the show with huge smiles, no doubt thinking of the saturatation local media coverage the rally will bring, as their candidate battles Bush for every vote, in a state that could conceivably break the tie in their tantalising race for the White House.
10/28/2004 19:32 GMT - AFP