With his box set, The Ties That Bind: The River Collection, being released a few weeks before he hits SNL, it's a safe bet that that's what he'll be promoting.

But fans are now speculating that Springsteen may be using the SNL appearance not just to support the box set, but to announce or support an upcoming tour.

Stan Goldstein, author of the Bruce Blog on NJ.com says he's hearing that live performances may not be too far off. "Look for Bruce to announce dates for a two- to three-month E Street Band tour that will start sometime in December," Goldstein tells Wicked Local.

It's also worth mentioning that at last week's Stand Up For Heroes benefit in New York, one of the prizes that was auctioned was tickets to an E Street Band concert, and a pre-show dinner with the E Street Band.