Bruce Springsteen

Artist Image: Bruce Springsteen
Attribution
Image Credit: Bill Ebbesen (Own work), CC BY-SA 3.0

Biography

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and humanitarian. He is best known for his work with his E Street Band. Nicknamed "The Boss," Springsteen is widely known for his brand of poetic lyrics, Americana, working class and sometimes political sentiments centered on his native New Jersey, his distinctive voice and his lengthy and energetic stage performances, with concerts from the 1970s to the present decade running over three hours in length. Springsteen's recordings have included both commercially accessible rock albums and more somber folk-oriented works. His most successful studio albums, Born to Run (1975) and Born in the U.S.A. (1984), showcase a talent for finding grandeur in the struggles of daily American life; he has sold more than 64 million albums in the United States and more than 120 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. He has earned numerous awards for his work, including 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award as well as being inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1969
Number of Albums 61
Record Label Columbia
Website brucespringsteen.net
Wikipedia Bruce Springsteen on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

Who was Bruce Springsteen discovered by?

John Hammond

...Bruce Springsteen Singer, songwriter, guitarist Discovered by John Hammond Lionized by Critics Contract Dispute Forced Hiatus Achieved Pop Legend Stat...
When did Springsteen arrive on the national music scene?

mid1970s

...f a heroic figure since his arrival on the national music scene in the mid1970s . In an era when music was dominated by flat, formulaic sounds, he embo...
What was Springsteen's nationality?

New Jersey

...a. This outlook was a natural reflection of his own youth in a gritty New Jersey town where most people expected little more from life than a daily gr...
At what age did Springsteen begin playing guitar?

thirteen

...Springsteen decided to avoid that fate by becoming a rock star. At age thirteen he began playing guitar, and a year later he joined a band called Cast...
What band was Springsteen a part of?

Castile

...rteen he began playing guitar, and a year later he joined a band called Castile . Their success convinced the young guitarist to stay in New Jersey eve...
What was the name of the power trio he formed in Asbury Park?

Earth

.... After graduation, he moved to Asbury Park, New Jersey, where he formed Earth , a power trio inspired by Cream. He also attended Ocean County Communit...
Where did he move after graduating from high school?

Asbury Park, New Jersey

...chool and gigging in local clubs. After graduation, he moved to Asbury Park, New Jersey , where he formed Earth, a power trio inspired by Cream. He als...
When did he drop out of school?

a New York record producer offered him a contract

...red by Cream. He also attended Ocean County Community College for a short time but dropped out when a New York record producer offered him a contract ....
What is Springsteen known for?

his brand of heartland rock

...He is widely known for his brand of heartland rock , infused with pop hooks, poetic lyrics, and Americana sentiments centered around his native New Jer...
What band did Springsteen often record with?

E Street Band

...ments centered around his native New Jersey. Often recorded with the E Street Band , Springsteen's most famous albums, Born to Run and Born in the U.S....
Born to Run and Born in the U.S.A. epitomize Springsteen's penchant for finding what?

grandeur

...Born to Run and Born in the U.S.A., epitomize his penchant for finding grandeur in the struggles of daily life. Springsteen's eloquence in expressing ...
Where was Springsteen born?

Long Branch, New Jersey

... years Bruce Springsteen was born at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey . He spent his childhood and high school years in Freehold. Rai...
How many Grammy Awards has Springsteen won?

20

... ordinary, everyday problems has earned him numerous accolades, including 20 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award, along with a notoriously devoted glob...
What type of music does Springsteen perform at marathon shows?

intense ballads, rousing anthems, and party songs

...nd marathon shows in which he and his band present intense ballads, rousing anthems, and party songs , among which Springsteen intersperses long whimsi...
How many albums did Springsteen release from 2010 to present?

3

...2 19731974 1.3 19751981 1.4 19821989 1.5 1990s 1.6 2000s 2 2010 to present 3 Legacy 4 Albums 5 References 6 External links 7 Credits Springsteen has l...
What is Bruce Springsteen's nickname?

The Boss

...ences 6 External links 7 Credits Springsteen has long had the nickname The Boss . Life and career Early years Bruce Springsteen was born at Monmouth Me...
What religion did Springsteen attend?

Roman Catholic

... He spent his childhood and high school years in Freehold. Raised a Roman Catholic , Springsteen attended the St. Rose of Lima parochial school in Free...
In what grade did he transfer to the public Freehold Regional High School?

ninth

...gh, where he was often at odds with both the nuns and other students. In ninth grade he transferred to the public Freehold Regional High School, but d...
What was Springsteen's father's job?

bus driver

...His father, Douglas Frederick Springsteen, worked as a bus driver , and was of Irish and Dutch ancestry. His mother, Adele Ann (Zerilli), worked as a l...
What was his mother's occupation?

legal secretary

...sh and Dutch ancestry. His mother, Adele Ann (Zerilli), worked as a legal secretary , and was of Italian descent. He has an older sister, Virginia, and...
Who is Springsteens older sister?

Virginia

...a legal secretary, and was of Italian descent. He has an older sister, Virginia , and a younger sister Pamela Springsteen. He was inspired to take up m...
When did Bruce Springsteen buy his first guitar?

18 dollars

...ivan Show (1948). When he was thirteen he bought his first guitar for 18 dollars . His mother took out a loan when Bruce was 16 and bought him a Kent g...
How much did Bruce pay for a Kent guitar?

60 dollars

...er took out a loan when Bruce was 16 and bought him a Kent guitar for 60 dollars . In 1965, he became the lead guitarist in the band The Castiles, he w...
What band did Bruce join in 1965?

The Castiles

...ar for 60 dollars. In 1965, he became the lead guitarist in the band The Castiles , he would later become lead singer in the band. The Castiles recorde...
How many original songs did Castiles record at a public recording studio in Brick Township, New Jersey?

two

...les, he would later become lead singer in the band. The Castiles recorded two original songs at a public recording studio in Brick Township, New Jerse...
What was the name of the band castiles performed with with Steven Van Zandt, Danny Federici, and Vini Mad Dog Lopez in 1969 to 1971?

Child

...Steven Van Zandt, Danny Federici and Vini Mad Dog Lopez in a band called Child , that was renamed later to Steel Mill when guitarist Robbin Thompson jo...
When was Darkness on the Edge of Town released?

1978

...former manager Mike Appel, and produced the album, Darkness on the Edge of Town, released in 1978 and became a turning point musically for his career....
What was the name of Bruce's 1975 record?

Born to Run

... while assembling his famous E Street Band. His breakout 1975 record, Born to Run , united arena rock with humansize tales of workingclass America. Wit...
How many albums were sold in the U.S. alone?

65 million

... dozens of awards under his belt, including 20 Grammys, and more than 65 million albums sold in the U.S. alone, Springsteen is one of the most success...
What was Springsteen honored with?

Presidential Medal of Freedom

...eftleaning political causes, the artist was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2016. Early Life Born on September 23, 1...
Who awarded Springsteen the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016?

Barack Obama

...es, the artist was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2016. Early Life Born on September 23, 1949, in Long Branch, New ...
What was the name of Springsteen's father?

Doug Springsteen

...aised in a workingclass household in Freehold Borough. His father, Doug Springsteen , had trouble holding down a steady job and worked at different tim...
In what borough did Springsteen grow up?

Freehold Borough

... New Jersey, Springsteen was raised in a workingclass household in Freehold Borough . His father, Doug Springsteen, had trouble holding down a steady j...
What was the name of Springsteen's mother?

Adele

... worked at different times as a bus driver, millworker and prison guard. Adele , Springsteen's mother, brought in steadier income as a secretary in a l...
What year was Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen born?

1949

...rming in July 2012 Born Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen September 23, 1949 (age 72) Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S. He has released 20 studio albums,...
Where was he originally from?

Jersey Shore

...hich feature his backing band the E Street Band. Originally from the Jersey Shore , he is one of the originators of the heartland rock style of music, ...
What style of music did he create?

heartland rock

...iginally from the Jersey Shore, he is one of the originators of the heartland rock style of music, combining mainstream rock musical style with narrat...
In what year did Springsteen release his first two albums?

1973

...tic stage performances, sometimes lasting up to four hours in length. In 1973 , Springsteen released his first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, ...
How long has Springsteen's career spanned?

six decades

...s about working class American life. During a career that has spanned six decades , Springsteen has become known for his poetic, socially conscious lyr...
What was the name of Springsteen's first two albums?

Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle

...en released his first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle , neither of which earned him a la...
When did Springsteen release Born to Run?

1975

...e changed his style and reached worldwide popularity with Born to Run in 1975 . It was followed by Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) and The River (1...
What was the name of Springsteen's most commercially successful album?

Born in the U.S.A

...78) and The River (1980), which topped the US Billboard 200 chart. Born in the U.S.A . (1984), which reunited Springsteen with the E Street Band, becam...
Bruce Springsteen said he wanted to make an album with words like Bob Dylan that sounded like what?

Phil Spector

...ntended to make an album with words like Bob Dylan that sounded like Phil Spector where he sang like Roy Orbison, a nifty summary of many, but not all...
What year did Springsteen release Born in the U.S.A.?

1984

...ised on '60s AM radio. What pushed Springsteen into the stratosphere was 1984 's Born in the U.S.A., a record that turned into a 15millionunit selling ...
What was the name of Springsteen's 1984 album?

Born in the U.S.A.,

...M radio. What pushed Springsteen into the stratosphere was 1984's Born in the U.S.A., a record that turned into a 15millionunit selling phenomenon and...
When did Bruce start playing seriously?

1963

...ow in 1956 and got a guitar, but he didn't start playing seriously until 1963 . In 1965, he joined his first band, the Beatles influenced Castiles. The...
Who did Bruce see perform on The Ed Sullivan Show?

Elvis Presley

...Bruce a global superstar. He became interested in music after seeing Elvis Presley perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 and got a guitar, but he di...
What was Springsteen's first band?

Beatles influenced Castiles

... seriously until 1963. In 1965, he joined his first band, the Beatles influenced Castiles . They got as far as playing in New York City, but broke up i...
When did the Beatles influenced Castiles break up?

1967

...d Castiles. They got as far as playing in New York City, but broke up in 1967 around the time Springsteen graduated from high school and began frequen...
What was Child renamed to?

Steel Mill

...m. Also in the hard rock vein was his next group, Child (soon renamed Steel Mill ), which featured keyboard player Danny Federici and drummer Vini Lope...
Who was the drummer in Child?

Vini Lopez

...teel Mill), which featured keyboard player Danny Federici and drummer Vini Lopez . (Later on, guitarist Steve Van Zandt joined on bass.) Steel Mill pla...
In what year did Steel Mill play in California?

1969

...rist Steve Van Zandt joined on bass.) Steel Mill played in California in 1969 , drawing a rave review in San Francisco and even a contract offer from a...
When was Springsteen born?

September 23, 1949

...mmary Read a brief summary of this topic Bruce Springsteen, (born September 23, 1949 , Freehold, New Jersey, U.S.), American singer, songwriter, and ba...
What was the name of the talent scout Springsteen auditioned for?

John Hammond, Sr.,

...o a solo singersongwriter in 1972 and auditioned for talent scout John Hammond, Sr., who immediately signed him to Columbia Records. His first two alb...
Who did Springsteen owe a lot to for his third album?

Phil Spector and Roy Orbison

...rmed into a fullfledged rock and roller, heavily indebted to Phil Spector and Roy Orbison . The album, a diurnal song cycle, was a sensation even befor...
What is the name of the city Springsteen was born in?

Freehold

...pringsteen was born of IrishItalian ancestry on September 23, 1949, in Freehold , New Jersey, the son of Douglas and Adele Springsteen. Freehold during...
Who were the Springsteens' parents?

Douglas and Adele Springsteen

...y on September 23, 1949, in Freehold, New Jersey, the son of Douglas and Adele Springsteen . Freehold during his whole career would be a significant sy...
Where was Bruce's hometown?

Freehold, New Jersey

...teen was born of IrishItalian ancestry on September 23, 1949, in Freehold, New Jersey , the son of Douglas and Adele Springsteen. Freehold during his w...
At what age did Springsteen see Elvis Presley on The Ed Sullivan Show?

seven

...in music when he saw Elvis Presley on The Ed Sullivan Show at the age of seven . He bought his first guitar at 13, and after witnessing The Beatles per...
What was the name of the New Jersey singer Springsteen grew up hearing on the radio?

Frank Sinatra

...y, real people. Springsteen grew up hearing fellow New Jersey singer Frank Sinatra on the radio. He found inspiration in music when he saw Elvis Presl...
When did Springsteen buy his first guitar?

13

...n The Ed Sullivan Show at the age of seven. He bought his first guitar at 13 , and after witnessing The Beatles performing on Ed Sullivan, Springsteen ...
After seeing The Beatles perform, Springsteen locked himself up in his room for how long?

many months

...van, Springsteen has stated that he locked himself up in his room for many months trying to learn how to play. Called for conscription in the United S...
Springsteen was called for what?

conscription

... in his room for many months trying to learn how to play. Called for conscription in the United States Armed Forces when he was 18, Springsteen failed...
When was Springsteen called for conscription in the US Armed Forces?

18

...ay. Called for conscription in the United States Armed Forces when he was 18 , Springsteen failed the physical examination and did not serve in the Vie...
Bruce Springsteen is an American singersongwriter who is often considered to be one of the most iconic rock performers of the 1970s and what other decade?

80s

... considered to be one of the most iconic rock performers of the 1970s and 80s . Known for his poetic lyrics and incredibly energetic music and concerts...
Bruce has sold more than how many records across the world?

120 million

...credibly energetic music and concerts, Springsteen has sold more than 120 million records across the world. His primary backing band, the E Street Ban...
In what year was the E Street Band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

2014

..., the E Street Band, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 . Born Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen in Long Branch, New Jersey, in ...
In what year did Bruce Springsteen become the lead singer of a local band?

1965

...is teens and early twenties, he played in a number of regional bands. In 1965 , he became the lead singer of a local band named The Castiles. Career an...
When did Springsteen secure a recording contract with Columbia Records?

1972

... Bruce Springsteen secured a recording contract with Columbia Records in 1972 . His first two albums garnered favorable reviews but failed to achieve m...