Springsteen "Atlantic City" question
 

What the hell is the reference to the "chicken man" mean in the beginning of the song, as in "They blew up the chicken man in Philly last night?" Who/what is the chicken man?

maybe its the "world famous chicken" costume that originates from phily

I believe it's a reference to a mobster...

'Well they blew up the chicken man in philly last night
and the d.a. can't get no relief'....

it was definitely a reference to a mobster, and i think a real one at that.

As an aside, check out Hank Williams III remake of this song. A totally different take on it that I really like. More a rockabilly style...

IIRC, Phillip "Chicken Man" Testa had just become the boss or was about to become the boss of the Mob in that area. He got blown up in the very early 1980s....

It is a great cover. The interesting thing is Hank III really made 2 songs; the first half is like an upbeat happy bluegrass number and the second half is almost a dirge...