Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen

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Biography

Bruce Springsteen (born 23.9.1949) Bruce Springsteen is an American singer / songwriter, known affectionately among his fans as 'The Boss'. He has won many Grammy Awards and an Academy Award. His most famous albums are Born to Run and Born In The USA.

Net Worth: The musician has a net worth of $300 million according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2016.

Childhood: Springsteen was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, to Douglas F. Springsteen (a bus driver with a dual Dutch / Irish heritage) and Adele A. Zirilli (a legal secretary of Irish heritage). He has two sisters: Virginia (older) and Pamela (younger).

Springsteen was raised as a Roman Catholic and attended the St. Rose of Lima school and then transferred to Freehold High School. Springsteen graduated from high school but skipped his graduation ceremony, as he had felt so out of place at the school.

When Bruce Springsteen was seven years old, he saw Elvis Presley on the Ed Sullivan Show and it was this that made him want to take up music. He bought his first guitar for $18 when he was 13.

Later, Springsteen became the lead guitarist in the local band, The Castiles and the band made a handful of original recordings.

Early Musical Career: Between 1969 and '71, Bruce played in the band Steel Mill (originally called Child) with Steve Van Zandt, Danny Federici and Vini Lopez. Over these two formative years, however, Springsteen played with a number of outfits, and drew a following in the Jersey Shore and Asbury Park areas. The bands included Dr Zoom and the Sonic Boom, Sundance Blues band and The Bruce Springsteen Band.

Springsteen's prolific songwriting, which encompassed a number of genres including blues, jazz and rock 'n' roll, came to the attention of music managers Mike Appel, Jim Cretecos and John Hammond, the now-legendary Columbia Records scout. Hammond auditioned Springsteen in 1972.

Commercial Breakthrough: In 1972, Bruce Springsteen signed a record deal with Columbia Records. A number of his New Jersey band mates entered the studio with him (they later became known as the E-Street band) and his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. was released in 1973. The album was heavily compared to Bob Dylan and Van Morrison.

Springsteen's second album, The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle was released later the same year. The critics looked favourably on the album but it achieved little commercial success. However, songs like 'Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)' became live favourites with his fans.

In 1975, the band's five night, 10-show run at the Bottom Line club in New York, garnered a lot of press attention. Later that year, the album Born To Run was released. The album was given a huge budget, as a last-ditch attempt for Springsteen to achieve mass commercial success. The singles, 'Born To Run' and 'Thunder Road' achieved huge commercial success.

Over the next few years, Springsteen toured with the E-Street band, but a legal feud with ex-manager Mike Appel kept him out of the studio and unable to record new music.

Eventually, an agreement was reached and Springsteen returned to the studio, to record Darkness On The Edge of Town in 1978. 'Badlands' and 'The Promised Land' showed Bruce's political edge and became live favourites for years to come.

Springsteen earned a reputation as a songwriter that could provide popular hits for other musicians. Notable, he co-wrote Patti Smith's 'Because The Night' as well as The Pointer Sisters version of his unreleased track, 'Fire', which earned them a number two single.

In 1980, Springsteen released a 20-sing double album entitled The River. The album was a commercial success and a huge arena tour of the US followed its release.

Following this huge success, Springsteen surprised many people by releasing Nebraska, a solemn acoustic album, in 1982. The songs started life as demos for a new band album but during the recording process, it was decided that they would work better as solo songs. The album was names 'Album of the Year' by Rolling Stone magazine.

Springsteen's next album is probably his best known. Born In The USA (1984) sold over 15 million copies in the US alone. It is now one of the best-selling albums of all time. Seven singles released from the album were top 10 hits. The commercial success that he enjoyed around this time was boosted by the release of Live 1975-85, which sold over 13 million units in the US and was the first box set to debut at the top of the US album charts.

The Tunnel Of Love was released in 1987 and brought with another major tour schedule. His first marriage to Julianne Phillips had broken up and his relationship with backing singer Patti Scialfa became public knowledge. The couple married in 1991 and now have three children, Evan James (b.1990), Jessica Rae (b.19991) and Sam Ryan (b.1994).

Amidst heavy criticism for moving to LA and using session musicians, Bruce Springsteen released the albums Human Touch and Lucky Town in 1992.

In 1995, he released his second solo album, entitled The Ghost Of Tom Joad. The album was less well acclaimed than Nebraska and Springsteen had to ask his audiences to be quiet during the tour performances that accompanied the release of the album.

Four years later, the E-Street Band enjoyed a reformation and embarked upon the 'Reunion Tour', which lasted over a year. The tour ended with a massive 10-night sell-out at Madison Square Gardens. The final performances were released on the Live In New York City DVD. The band's first full studio output in 18 years was released in 2002. The Rising was largely a reflection on the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York. The band played 10 nights in the Giants Stadium in New Jersey and the Rising tour culminated with three nights in Shea Stadium.

As a tribute to Joe Strummer of The Clash, Springsteen performed 'London calling' at the Grammy Awards of 2003. Fellow performers included Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl and Steven Van Zandt.

Another solo acoustic album was released in 2005: Devils & Dust. The album was hugely popular in Europe though ticket sales for his live shows were disappointing elsewhere.

The next year, Springsteen released We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, which was an exploration of the American roots music popularized by Pete Seeger.

The E-Street band was drafted back in for Springsteen's 2007 release, Magic. The album debuted at number one in the UK and Ireland, selling 563,000 copies worldwide in its first week.

In April 2008, long-time organist with the E-Street band, Danny Federici passed away, following a three-year battle with a melanoma. Clarence Clemons was a founding member of E Street band and sadly died on the 18th June 2011 due to complications of a stroke. Bruce Springsteen said [Clarence] loved the saxophone and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage.

Springsteen released his 17th studio album Wrecking Ball in March, 2012 consisting of eleven tracks, the release of this album was promptly followed by the release of the Wrecking Ball Tour which began in the same month and went on to be one of Bruce's most successful. Rolling Stone named Wrecking Ball the number one album in their 2012 top album list. 

In 2014 Springsteen released his eighteenth studio album High Hopes which features either covers or re-recordings of certain songs. This album marks Springsteen's 11th no.1 album in the US and his 10th in the UK.    

Personal Life: Springsteen got married to his long term girlfriend Patti Scialfa in 1991 who he met at The Stone Pony, which is a bar in New Jersey where local musicians perform. The couple have three children, Evan James Springsteen (1990), Jessica Rae Springsteen (1991) and Samuel Ryan Springsteen (1994). The family moved back to New Jersey so that they could raise their family in an environment free from the media. Springsteen is also an activist for LGBT rights and has spoken out numerous times to show his support for gay marriage in the US.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

The Five Greatest Sports Movie Soundtracks Of All Time


Keira Knightley Blondie Fleetwood Mac Bruce Springsteen Public Enemy

As Europe is currently in the midst of a nail-biting UEFA European Football Championship, we’ve been in the mood for a few sporty flicks. One thing all our favourite movies have in common (despite our eclectic tastes) is that they’ve all got incredible soundtracks. And these five sports-based films are definitely no different. 

Bend It Like Beckham / Photo credit: LionsgateBend It Like Beckham / Photo credit: Lionsgate

Bend It Like Beckham

Continue reading: The Five Greatest Sports Movie Soundtracks Of All Time

October 2020 Favourites: The Struts, Beabadoobee And IDKHOW Give Us Nostalgia When We Need It Most


The Struts Bruce Springsteen Nothing But Thieves Roisin Murphy

All in all, it's been an excellent month for music. In October alone we've seen numerous releases that we're strongly considering for our top 10 albums of the year list, and it seems like 2020 has really made artists want to take us back to a better time. We are more than grateful for that.

The Struts - Strange Days

These glam-rock revivalists have been entertaining us four seven years, but their third album Strange Days is truly something special. They've teamed up with everyone from Robbie Williams to Def Leppard on this charismatic retro album, that may be have a nostalgic sound, but lyrically fits very much into 2020.

Continue reading: October 2020 Favourites: The Struts, Beabadoobee And IDKHOW Give Us Nostalgia When We Need It Most

Independence Day Sing-A-Long: Seven Most Iconic Songs About America


Childish Gambino Miley Cyrus Bruce Springsteen

Happy 4th of July one and all; it's the most patriarchal day of the year for Americans and, while that might divide opinions due to the colonialist history of the holiday, America is certainly a nation worth singing about. 

Photo: PixabayPhoto: Pixabay

From partying in California to Casinos in New York, here are seven of our favourite songs about United States.

Continue reading: Independence Day Sing-A-Long: Seven Most Iconic Songs About America

June Favourites 2019: A Month Of Legendary Comebacks From Madonna, Springsteen And More


Thom Yorke Bruce Springsteen Madonna Avicii

This month has been one of absolute nostalgia as we revisit some music icons, some music geniuses, and one music hero who we'll sadly never hear again. Here are seven albums that have been released this month by some of the most capable artists of this generation. Stay tuned for our most anticipated releases of next month...

Avicii - Tim

It's been just over a year since this Swedish DJ (whose real name is Tim Bergling) was taken from us far too soon at the age of just 28. But his posthumous third album Tim shows why he will be remembered for a long time to come. Certainly songs like SOS and Heaven featuring Chris Martin are far more poignant that they were some of his final songs, but they are also genuinely fantastic examples of why he was one of the most iconic producers of his generation.

Continue reading: June Favourites 2019: A Month Of Legendary Comebacks From Madonna, Springsteen And More

The Year Of The Legend: Albums Of 2019 Vs The Artists' Most Iconic Releases


Bruce Springsteen Madonna

At a time when recording and releasing music to the public has never been so easy, it's no wonder that fewer and fewer old school legends are choosing to retire. This year so far we've seen seven iconic stars unveil brand new records - but how do they compare to their most seminal releases? Certainly these are some iconic records you can enjoy.

Bruce Springsteen

2019: Western Stars

Continue reading: The Year Of The Legend: Albums Of 2019 Vs The Artists' Most Iconic Releases

7 Times Politicians Tried To Use Pop Songs Without Permission


Donald Trump Bruce Springsteen Queen Abba Johnny Marr REM Calvin Harris James

After Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler had to write a second cease-and-desist letter to Donald Trump asking him to stop playing their songs during his rallies this week – having already called him out for doing the same with ‘Dream On’ three years ago – we thought we’d compile some other famous moments when politicians got scolded by musicians for using their songs without permission.

Almost inevitably, such clashes come up when songs are used by right-wing or conservative parties and candidates. Musicians are a fairly liberal bunch, understandably, and they don’t want their messages and sentiments getting confused with those counter to their own beliefs and ideologies.

So, here’s seven other famous moments when politicians tried to get some credibility off pop stars.

Continue reading: 7 Times Politicians Tried To Use Pop Songs Without Permission

Bruce Springsteen Denounces Trump's "Inhumane" Border Policies


Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen used his platform at his series of Broadway shows to denounce Donald Trump’s “inhumane” border policy concerning the treatment of thousands of migrant children forcibly separated from their families.

The 68 year old rocker is eight months into a highly successful run of intimate acoustic Broadway shows in New York, and on Tuesday evening (June 19th) he broke from his script to discuss the images from the States’ Mexican border that have been shocking the on-looking world over the last week.

“For 146 shows, I have played pretty much the same set every night. Tonight demands something different,” he told the audience at the Walter Kerr Theatre, according to The Guardian.

Continue reading: Bruce Springsteen Denounces Trump's "Inhumane" Border Policies

Bruce Springsteen To Perform At 2018 Tony Awards


Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen is set to perform at this year’s Tony Awards in a rare television appearance, after it was announced that he’s to receive an honorary prize from the ceremony’s organisers.

The Boss’s sold-out ‘Springsteen On Broadway’ residency at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City, which has been running since October last year and is due to end in December 2018, would not ordinarily be eligible for Tony Award consideration. Due to the scarcity of tickets surrounding the concerts, Springsteen and the organisers decided not to release any complementary tickets to Tony voters or the press – a requirement for consideration.

However, with ratings in mind, Tony Award organisers the American Theatre Wing decided to give the 68 year old rocker a Special Award for his popular, twice-extended run on shows in the hope that he might show up and perform, and that’s exactly what’s happened.

Continue reading: Bruce Springsteen To Perform At 2018 Tony Awards

Bruce Springsteen To Play 80 Shows At Broadway Theatre By June 2018


Bruce Springsteen

If it wasn't enough that the always generous Bruce Springsteen had already extended his widely-acclaimed Broadway residency into 2018, he has now gone and added a further string of dates to bring the series to the start of the summer. Now that's what you call spoiling your fans.

Bruce Springsteen at Invictus Games closing ceremonyBruce Springsteen at Invictus Games closing ceremony

The Boss had initially planned an 8-week intimate series of Broadway shoes at Jujamcyn's Walter Kerr Theatre beginning on October 12th, but since performing until November 26th, he has already added enough concerts to take him to February 3rd. 

Continue reading: Bruce Springsteen To Play 80 Shows At Broadway Theatre By June 2018

Bruce Springsteen Pays Tribute To Tom Petty


Bruce Springsteen Tom Petty Steven Van Zandt Sir Paul McCartney Ringo Starr

Bruce Springsteen has paid tribute to his ''long lost brother'' Tom Petty.

The 'Born To Run' hitmaker has been left ''heartbroken'' after the loss of his pal - who passed away on Monday (02.10.17) aged 66 after having his life support turned off following a cardiac arrest - and admitted he always felt a ''deep kinship'' with his music.

He wrote on Twitter: ''Down here on E Street, we're devastated and heartbroken over the death of Tom Petty. Our hearts go out to his family and bandmates.

Continue reading: Bruce Springsteen Pays Tribute To Tom Petty

Bruce Springsteen performing at the 10th Annual Stand Up For Heroes Show held at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States - Tuesday 1st November 2016

Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen stopping for photos with fans at an event for his book 'Born To Run' held at a branch of Barnes and Noble at The Grove, Los Angeles, California, United States - Monday 3rd October 2016

Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen visit Stephen Colbert in NYC, United States - Friday 23rd September 2016

Bruce Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen (and his band including: Jake Clemons, Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, PATTI SCIALFA and Soozie Tyrell) took The River Tour to Gothenburg, Sweden over the weekend where they played live in front of 62,701 fans at the Ullevi Stadium. Monday 27th June 2016

Bruce Springsteen, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg and Soozie Tyrell
Bruce Springsteen, Nils Lofgren, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg and Patti Scialfa
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and Max Weinberg
Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen (and his band including: Jake Clemons, Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, PATTI SCIALFA and Soozie Tyrell) took The River Tour to Gothenburg, Sweden over the weekend where they played live in front of 62,676 fans at the Ullevi Stadium. Saturday 25th June 2016

Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell
Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell
Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell
Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell
Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell
Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg and Jake Clemons
Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen Quick Links

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Bruce Springsteen

Date of birth

23rd September, 1949

Occupation

Musician

Sex

Male

Height

1.77




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