The "Boss" probably needs no great introduction to anyone - Bruce Springsteen is no less than a living legend and one of the greatest rock stars the world has ever seen. His album "Born in the U.S.A." is also legendary. It is one of the most successful rock albums of all time and contains the famous title track as well as the mega hit "Dancing in the Dark". That it is also an unforgettable experience to experience the exceptional musician and his E Street Band live, knows everyone who has had the good fortune to come to this special pleasure. Even at the age of over 70 years - which one does not notice him, however, in the slightest - Bruce Springsteen continues to go on tour to rock the stadiums in Germany, Europe and around the world.
Over such a long period of time to celebrate sustained great success, which succeeds very few musicians. Bruce Springsteen is one of them. More than 120 million records sold, an impressive Grammy collection, an Oscar for the song "Streets of Philadelphia," a Tony Award for "Springsteen on Broadway" and various other awards testify to the superstar status that the "Boss" has enjoyed since the eighties. Born in 1949 in Long Branch, New Jersey, Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen became fascinated with Elvis Presley and The Beatles as a child. His parents granted him his wish for his own guitar at an early age and a few years later he got serious about music. After a phase as a guitarist in local bands, the ambitious youngster landed his first record deal in 1972. The following year, the debut album "Greetings from Ashbury Park, N.J." was released, followed just a few months later by "The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle."
Bruce Springsteen secures his place in rock's Olympus
Involved from the beginning: the E Street Band, which at the time included bassist Garry W. Tallent, saxophonist Clarence Clemons, keyboardist David Sancious and drummer Vini Lopez. Later, other members were added, including Springsteen's later wife Patti Scialfa, keyboardist Danny Federici, who died in 2008, pianist Roy Bittan, drummer Max Weinberg, and guitarist Steven Van Zandt. Bruce Springsteen himself sings and plays guitar, harmonica and piano. The band around the charismatic frontman celebrated its breakthrough with its third album "Born to Run". In this country, the fifth work "The River" marks the first chart entry. In 1984, "Born in the U.S.A." Bruce Springsteen finally becomes a megastar. Since then, one can not avoid superlatives when it comes to describe him.
That he also delivers without his E Street Band, he proves between 1989 and 1999 (apart from a brief reunion in 1995). During this phase, the albums "Human Touch", "Lucky Town" and the acoustic album "The Ghost of Tom Joad" are created. After the reunion with his band, Bruce Springsteen again landed on the front ranks of the international charts in 2002 with "The Rising". This also applies to the following folk album "Devils & Dust". In general, the extensive discography includes some works far from the stadium rock, with which many associate the name Bruce Springsteen. These include the folk covers album "We Shall Overcome - The Seeger Sessions" as well as "Western Stars" from 2019, which was recorded with an orchestra, but the E Street Band is then reunited on the 2020 album "Letter to You". The 20th studio album picks up where albums like "Magic" and "Wrecking Ball" left off.
Legendary live shows
Musically, Bruce Springsteen always likes to provide variety and surprises. In 2014, for example, the participation of guitarist Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) on "High Hopes" created a significantly different sound. Lyrically, the "Boss" has always dealt with topics from the life of the American working class. Personal relationships, for example with his father, also find their way into his lyrics. In addition, Bruce Springsteen shows himself as a political man, which is not least clear in the joint podcast and book "Renegades: Born in the USA" with Barack Obama. The "Dancing in the Dark" singer knows how to convince on many levels. But he probably impresses most with his stirring live performances. When Bruce Springsteen comes on tour, there is no stopping his fans. After all, it's not every day that you get the chance to see a legend live!
