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Springsteen and his E Street Band are recovering from a long and exhausting touring schedule that''s seen them perform 171 shows in the past two years. Rumours were abuzz that the American music icon may be planning to retire from live performances, but he insists he still loves touring - and it wouldn''t be fair on fans to quit right as he hits his peak.

"I can''t say I experience it as a grind. I really like the people that I do this with. I like being with them on stage and off, I enjoy the time we spend travelling together, and I enjoy the work that we do,” Contactmusic quoted Springsteen as telling Billboard.com. "Not that you don''t get tired or fatigued, but there''s always a night, no matter how tired you are, when you''re on stage during the night that you go, ''Oh my God, this is just wonderful.''

"And I feel privileged to have the audience I have and to be able to do what we''re doing at the level we''re doing it right now. “If you''re a sports figure, you''re prime passes at such a young age. There''s no ceiling here. I believe if you come and see us now you''re seeing the best E Street Band that''s ever played," he added.