Bruce Springsteen signs on as keynote speaker for South by Southwest

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Those traveling to Austin for the South by Southwest music and media conference next year can expect a visit from the Boss. Bruce Springsteen and SXSW organizers announced Thursday that the rock legend will be the keynote speaker at the 2012 festival. He’s slated to appear on March 15 at the Austin Convention Center.

The announcement comes on the heels of the recent announcement of Springsteen’s world tour with the E Street Band next year — their first without late saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who died from a stroke in June. The tour reportedly is to begin in March and will be in support of the band’s new, still-untitled album. So far, no further details on dates are confirmed.

With his trip to Austin, Springsteen will join a list of previous iconic keynote speakers at SXSW, including Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Pete Townsend, Smokey Robinson, Neil Young, Robert Plant and Lucinda Williams. It’s about time Jersey gets a chance to represent.

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Springsteen, Van Zandt salute E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons