Bruce Springsteen

Biography

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen was born on September 23, 1949, in Long Branch, New Jersey. Raised in a working-class family in Freehold, he was inspired to pursue music after seeing Elvis Presley and The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show". His mother, Adele, recognized his passion and rented him a guitar when he was young. Springsteen's early musical journey involved playing in local bands like The Castiles.

The E Street Band and Early Albums

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Springsteen began performing in the clubs of Asbury Park, where he would meet the musicians who would form the E Street Band. The band, which was formally named in 1974, took its name from the street in Belmar where then-keyboardist David Sancious's mother lived, allowing them to rehearse in her garage. In 1972, Springsteen signed with Columbia Records and released his first two albums, "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." and "The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle," in 1973. While critically acclaimed, these albums did not achieve significant commercial success initially.

Breakthrough with "Born to Run"

Springsteen's third album, "Born to Run," released in 1975, was his breakthrough. The album, with its Wall of Sound production and anthemic title track, captured the yearning for escape and became a massive critical and commercial success. It established Springsteen as a major new voice in rock and roll, landing him on the covers of both Time and Newsweek in the same week. The album's songs were character-driven, telling stories of people feeling trapped and dreaming of a better life.

Commercial Superstardom

Following the success of "Born to Run," Springsteen released "Darkness on the Edge of Town" (1978) and the double album "The River" (1980), which became his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200. After the stark, acoustic solo album "Nebraska" (1982), he released "Born in the U.S.A." in 1984. This album launched him into global superstardom, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. It produced seven top-10 singles, including the title track, which was a powerful commentary on the treatment of Vietnam veterans that was often misinterpreted as a purely patriotic anthem.

Solo Work and Reunions

In the late 1980s and 1990s, Springsteen explored different musical directions. He released the more introspective "Tunnel of Love" (1987) and later, working mostly with other musicians, released "Human Touch" and "Lucky Town" simultaneously in 1992. His song "Streets of Philadelphia" for the film "Philadelphia" won an Academy Award in 1994. He reunited with the E Street Band for a tour in 1999, which led to the 2002 album "The Rising," an album that reflected on the September 11th attacks.

Later Career and Continued Relevance

Throughout the 21st century, Springsteen has continued to release critically and commercially successful albums, including "Devils & Dust" (2005), "Magic" (2007), and "Wrecking Ball" (2012). He has also undertaken successful tours with the E Street Band and pursued unique projects like his acclaimed "Springsteen on Broadway" residency. His 2020 album with the E Street Band, "Letter to You," made him the first artist with a top-five album in six consecutive decades. He has continued to tour extensively and release new music, including the 2022 solo covers album "Only the Strong Survive".