SPRINGSTEEN ALBUM BOSS AT STORES

Even before record stores from Los Angeles to the Jersey shore opened Monday, Bruce Springsteen fans surrounded them--hoping for the first copies of “Live/75-85,” his first album of authorized concert recordings.

“We have a huge demand. And every call we’ve had this morning is for it,” said a harried Diane Thompson, a clerk at Music Plus in Studio City, of apparently the most sought-after album since the last Springsteen effort, 1984’s “Born in the U.S.A.” which sold more than 10 million copies in the United States alone.

The parking lot at Tower Records’ Sunset Boulevard store was jammed by early morning, matched only by the crush of buyers inside.

“We have a constant line,” said Tower’s Patty Black, who answered the phone with a rushed, “Bruce is here!”

Prices for the five-album/three-cassette set Monday ranged from $19.99 at Tower to $24.99 at Music Plus. Compact disc prices were $33.33 and $39.99 at the same stores, respectively.

Music Plus cut its price $5 from an advertised $29.99 to better compete with Tower Records, a spokesman said.

“We wanted to break the price on it,” said Bob Delanoy, regional director for Tower Records. “We won’t stay at that price forever. . . . It’s actually sort of a nice present to our customers.”

The album figures to boost record sales in general as stores enter the Christmas shopping season. The 22,000 units shipped to Music Plus stores represent the largest order in the chain’s history. Before stores opened Monday, company officials placed a re-order for 15,000 more units.

“This is definitely not average,” said Music Plus spokesman George Chronis. “People who’ve been with the company six or seven years are saying, ‘This is the way it used to be.’ ”