Emily Carter
They blew up the chicken man is a line from Bruce Springsteen's 1982 song Atlantic City. The line refers to the assassination of Philadelphia mob boss Philip Chicken Man Testa, who was killed by a nail bomb at his home in 1981. Springsteen's song explores the backdrop of corruption, crime, and violence in Atlantic City, which was experiencing an influx of larger criminal enterprises and the legalization of casino gambling. The song has been covered by various artists, including The Band, Levon Helm, Kim Fox, John Anderson, and Hank Williams III, showcasing its enduring appeal and impact in the music industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Bruce Springsteen |
| Song | Atlantic City |
| Album | Nebraska |
| Year | 1982 |
| Reference | Assassination of Philadelphia mob boss Philip "Chicken Man" Testa |
| Assassin | Peter Casella, Testa's underboss |
| Weapon | Nail bomb |
| Date of death | 15 March 1981 |
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What You'll Learn
Bruce Springsteen's song Atlantic City
"Atlantic City" is a song written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen, which first appeared on his 1982 solo album Nebraska. Springsteen wrote in his Greatest Hits sleeve notes that he recorded "Atlantic City" in his bedroom using a four-track Tascam recorder. He provides the vocals, guitar, harmonica, and mandolin for the song.
The song's opening line, "They blew up the Chicken Man in Philly last night," was inspired by a newspaper article about a mob hit in Atlantic City. The "Chicken Man" was Phil Testa, the second-in-command in the Philadelphia Mob under Angelo Bruno. After Bruno was murdered, Testa was killed by a bomb placed under his front porch, orchestrated by Nicky Scarfo, who wanted to control the new Atlantic City gambling rackets.
The song depicts a young couple's escape to Atlantic City, a New Jersey seaside resort. The man intends to take a job in organized crime, possibly as a hitman, to escape his financial troubles. The lyrics "I met a guy and I'm gonna do a little favor for him" suggest he may be planning to carry out a hit, possibly on the Chicken Man. The chorus, "Everything dies, baby, that's a fact/But maybe everything that dies someday comes back," reflects the narrator's fear that he might not survive his dangerous new job, but he hopes for revenge or rebirth of the city.
The song also serves as an allegory for the city of Atlantic City itself, which was going through an attempted mob takeover while legalizing casino gambling. The casinos created a stark contrast between the glamorous boardwalk and the run-down city, and the song paints a picture of the realities facing Atlantic City at the time.
"Atlantic City" is considered one of Springsteen's best songs and has been covered by artists including The Band, Ryan Adams, and Boyish. It has been a regular feature of Springsteen's live concerts, often with different arrangements and multiple outros.
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Philip Chicken Man Testa
The line "they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night" is from Bruce Springsteen's song "Atlantic City", which first appeared on his 1982 solo album Nebraska. The song references the assassination of Philadelphia mob boss Philip "Chicken Man" Testa, who was killed by a nail bomb at his home in South Philadelphia. Testa became the boss of the Philadelphia crime family after the previous boss, Angelo Bruno, was murdered. Bruno's murder was ordered by his consigliere, Antonio Caponigro, who was subsequently killed. Testa's death was also ordered by his underboss, Peter Casella, as part of the Second Philadelphia Mafia War.
Testa's nickname, "The Chicken Man", derived from his involvement in the poultry business. His son, Salvie Testa, was co-owner of a nightclub in Atlantic City, which he sold to Donald Trump for a significant profit. The song "Atlantic City" captures the backdrop of corruption, crime, and violence in Atlantic City, with Springsteen's lyrics alluding to the city's criminal underbelly and the looming presence of the Philly mob.
The song has been covered by various artists, including The Band, whose version has garnered a strong following. Springsteen's original, however, remains iconic, with its dramatic narrative of the Chicken Man's demise serving as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of life. The song's impact extends beyond its musical appeal, providing a glimpse into the underworld of organised crime and the tumultuous history of Atlantic City in the 1980s.
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The Philadelphia mob boss
The line "they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night" is from Bruce Springsteen's 1982 song "Atlantic City". The song references the assassination of Philadelphia mob boss Philip "Chicken Man" Testa, who was killed by a nail bomb at his home in South Philadelphia in March 1981. Testa's death sparked a violent power struggle within the Philadelphia mob, which took place against the backdrop of newly legalised casino gambling in nearby Atlantic City.
Testa earned his nickname "The Chicken Man" from his involvement in the poultry business. He became boss of the Philadelphia crime family after the previous leader, Angelo "The Gentle Don" Bruno, was murdered by his consigliere, Antonio Caponigro (aka Tony Bananas). Caponigro was subsequently killed on the orders of "The Commission", as he had murdered Bruno without permission. Testa's reign was short-lived, as he met a similar fate just a year after taking power. He was assassinated by his own underboss, Peter Casella, who allegedly ordered a nail bomb blast that destroyed both Testa and his house.
The violent and corrupt world of organised crime in Philadelphia and Atlantic City inspired Springsteen's "Atlantic City". The song's lyrics allude to the power struggles within the Philly mob, the influx of trouble and criminal enterprises from out of state, and the corruption of local officials. The song also references the looming presence of larger, more powerful criminal organisations moving into Atlantic City, which would eventually come to dominate the city's casinos and use them for money laundering.
The death of Testa and the subsequent power vacuum in the Philadelphia mob led to years of violence and turmoil. The song "Atlantic City" captures the atmosphere of this tumultuous time, reflecting on the transient nature of power and life itself. Springsteen's lyrics also hint at a broader commentary on the choices individuals make and the consequences that can reverberate beyond their immediate actions.
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The Second Philadelphia Mafia War
The line "they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night" is from Bruce Springsteen's song "Atlantic City". It refers to the assassination of Philadelphia mob boss Philip "Chicken Man" Testa, who was killed by a nail bomb at his home in South Philadelphia. Testa's death is believed to have been ordered by his own underboss, Peter Casella. Testa's nickname, "Chicken Man", derived from his involvement in the poultry business.
Testa's assassination marked the beginning of the Second Philadelphia Mafia War. This period of conflict emerged amid a backdrop of violence and power struggles within the Philadelphia crime family, also known as the Bruno-Scarfo crime family. The war was sparked by the murder of Angelo Bruno, Testa's predecessor, in 1980. Bruno was killed by a shotgun blast to the back of his head while sitting in his car outside his home. The killing was ordered by Antonio Caponigro, Bruno's consigliere, who was in turn killed on the orders of "The Commission" for murdering a boss without permission.
Following Bruno's death, Testa took control of the Philadelphia crime family. However, his reign was short-lived, as he was assassinated just a year later. The Second Philadelphia Mafia War was characterised by violent power struggles and multiple murders. It marked a period of decline in the stability of the Philadelphia crime family, which had enjoyed peace and prosperity under Bruno's 21-year reign.
The war within the Philadelphia crime family continued for years, with various factions vying for control. One faction was led by Joey Merlino, who disputed John Stanfa's ascension to boss in 1991. Merlino and his supporters clashed with Stanfa's faction, resulting in attacks and counter-attacks that lasted for months. In 1994, Stanfa and many of his followers were arrested, bringing an end to the intense phase of the war. However, less intense fighting persisted until 1996, and the conflict began to involve violence from outside the family until the early 2000s.
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The song's cultural references
The song "Atlantic City" by Bruce Springsteen contains the line "they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night". This is a reference to the assassination of Philadelphia mob boss Philip "Chicken Man" Testa, who was killed by a nail bomb at his home in 1981. Testa's death sparked years of violence among rival factions of the Philadelphia mob, which was taking place at the same time as the rise of newly legalised casino gambling in nearby Atlantic City.
The song "Atlantic City" is part of Springsteen's 1982 solo album Nebraska. Springsteen has often played the song in a full-band arrangement in concert. The song was recorded in his bedroom for $1,050 (the cost of the four-track Tascam recorder), mixed through an old Gibson guitar unit to a beat box. Springsteen provides the vocals, guitar, harmonica, and mandolin for the song.
The song's lyrics reference various cultural touchstones of the time, including the "racket boys" or "local racket boys", who may refer to the Philly mobsters or the trouble busing in from out of state, as well as the "gambling commissioner", who is "hanging on by the skin of his teeth". The song also mentions the "boardwalk", where the "racket boys" are "ready for a fight". This could be a reference to the famous boardwalk in Atlantic City, which was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
The song also mentions the "DA", who "can't get no relief". This is likely a reference to the district attorney, who may have been struggling to keep up with the rising crime and corruption in the area. Springsteen himself has said that the song is about "the price of isolation and loneliness".
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Frequently asked questions
The line “they blew up the chicken man” is from Bruce Springsteen's song "Atlantic City". It refers to the assassination of Philadelphia mob boss Philip "Chicken Man" Testa, who was killed by a nail bomb at his home.
Philip Testa was known as "Chicken Man" due to his involvement in the poultry business.
Testa was assassinated by his own underboss, Peter Casella.
"Atlantic City" was first released on Springsteen's 1982 solo album Nebraska.
"Atlantic City" is about the corruption, crime, and violence in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the time. Springsteen's lyrics reference the killing of Testa and the subsequent power struggles within the Philadelphia mob.
