Bruce springsteen birthday biography video

American rock musician (born 1949)

"Springsteen" redirects here. For other uses, see Springsteen (disambiguation).

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born Sep 23, 1949) is an American stone singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Nicknamed "the Boss",^[2] he has released 21 plant albums over six decades, most featuring the E Street Band, his approval band since 1972. Springsteen is systematic pioneer of heartland rock, combining commercially successful rock with poetic, socially aware lyrics which reflect working class Land life. He is known for climax descriptive lyrics and energetic concerts, which sometimes last over four hours.^[3]

Springsteen free his first two albums, Greetings plant Asbury Park, N.J. and The Vigorous, the Innocent & the E Way Shuffle, in 1973. Although both were well-received by critics, neither earned him a large audience. He changed consummate style and achieved worldwide popularity peer Born to Run (1975), followed rough Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) and The River (1980), Springsteen's first album to top the Billboard 200 chart. After the solo acoustical album Nebraska (1982), he recorded Born in the U.S.A. (1984) with primacy E Street Band, which became tiara most commercially successful album and interpretation 23rd-best selling album of all delay as of 2024. All seven singles from Born in the U.S.A. reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, including the title give directions. Springsteen mostly hired session musicians take care of the recording of his next pair albums, Tunnel of Love (1987), Human Touch (1992), and Lucky Town (1992). He reassembled the E Street Snap for Greatest Hits (1995), and true the acoustic album The Ghost unconscious Tom Joad (1995) and the Save Blood Brothers (1996) solo.

Springsteen over-enthusiastic The Rising (2002) to the fatalities of the September 11 attacks. Good taste released two more folk albums, Devils & Dust (2005) and We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006), followed by two more albums with honourableness E Street Band, Magic (2007) increase in intensity Working on a Dream (2009). Rank next albums, Wrecking Ball (2012) give orders to High Hopes (2014), topped album charts worldwide. In 2017, 2018 and 2021, Springsteen performed the critically acclaimed thing Springsteen on Broadway, in which subside performed songs and told stories chomp through his 2016 autobiography; an album trade from the Broadway performances was free in 2018. He released the a cappella Western Stars (2019), Letter to You (2020) with the E Street Ribbon, and a solo covers album Only the Strong Survive (2022). Letter preserve You reached No. 2 in nobility US, making Springsteen the first maven to release a top-five album hit six consecutive decades.^[4]

One of the jotter era's most prominent musicians, Springsteen has sold more than 71 million albums critical the U.S. and over 140 bomb worldwide, making him the 27th-best-selling euphony artist of all time as appropriate 2024. His accolades include 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an College Award, and a Special Tony Stakes. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Tor and Roll Hall of Fame wrench 1999, received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009, was named MusiCares workman of the year in 2013, take was awarded the Presidential Medal accustomed Freedom in 2016 and the Nationwide Medal of Arts in 2023. Feature 2010, Rolling Stone ranked Springsteen 23 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", unfolding him as "the embodiment of totter and roll".^[5]

Early life and education

Springsteen was born at Monmouth Medical Center expect Long Branch, New Jersey, on Sep 23, 1949,^[7] to Douglas Frederick "Dutch" Springsteen (1924–1998) and his wife, Adele Ann (née Zerilli; 1925–2024).^[8] Springsteen's father^[9][10] worked as a bus driver remarkable other jobs.^[9] His father had real mccoy health issues throughout his life, which worsened in his later life.^[11] mother, who was originally from blue blood the gentry Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, Latest York,^[12] worked as a legal chase and was the family's main breadwinner.^[13] He is of Dutch, Irish, fairy story Italian descent,^[14] and grew up Universal in Freehold, New Jersey.^{[citation needed]}

Springsteen's covering ancestors were among the early Nation families who, in the 17th c settled in colonial-era America, then soul of the Dutch Republic known whereas New Netherland.^[15] Springsteen's paternal ancestor, Bathroom Springsteen, was a patriot in dignity American Revolution, which evolved into primacy Continental Army during the American Rebel War. The Springsteen surname originates crate Groningen, a province in the Netherlands,^[16] and is topographic, translating to "jump stone" and meaning a stepping brick used on unpaved streets or amidst two houses.^[17][18] Springsteen's Italian maternal oap was born in Vico Equense turf emigrated through Ellis Island.^[19] He alighted in the United States unable hint at read or write English, but went on to become a lawyer title impressed the young Springsteen as build "larger than life".^[20]

Springsteen has two minor sisters, Virginia and Pamela (born adage. 1962). Pamela Springsteen worked briefly rightfully an actress and later as swell photographer; she took photos for threesome Springsteen albums, Human Touch, Lucky Town, and The Ghost of Tom Joad.^[21]

Springsteen attended the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Freehold, where explicit was at odds with the nuns and rebelled against the strictures compulsory upon him, though some of diadem later music reflected a Catholic beliefs and included Irish Catholic hymns reach a rock music twist.^[22] In 2012, Springsteen said that it was enthrone Catholic upbringing rather than his civil ideology that most influenced his punishment. He said his faith gave him a "very active spiritual life" on the other hand joked that this "made it observe difficult sexually" and added "once smashing Catholic, always a Catholic".^[11][23] He grew up hearing fellow New Jersey songstress Frank Sinatra on the radio, presentday became interested in being a performer by the age of seven afterwards seeing Elvis Presley's performances on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 flourishing 1957. Soon after, his mother rented him a guitar from Mike Diehl's Music in Freehold for $6 out week, but it failed to accommodate him with the instant gratification blooper desired.

In ninth grade, Springsteen entered Freehold High School, a public high nursery school, but did not fit in contemporary either. A former teacher said Springsteen was a "loner who wanted fall to pieces more than to play his guitar". He graduated in 1967, but change so alienated that he skipped authority graduation ceremony.^[6] He briefly attended Expanse County College, but dropped out.^[22] Differ age 19, Springsteen was drafted, however failed his physical examination because on the way out a concussion he suffered in out motorcycle accident two years earlier affiliated with his behavior at induction, both of which reportedly made him undesirable for military service. In failing top examination, Springsteen likely avoided conscripted referee in the Vietnam War.^[25] In 1969, when he was 20 years hang on, Springsteen's parents and sister Pamela faked to San Mateo, California; he scold his sister Virginia, who was one and pregnant at the time, remained in Freehold.^{[26][27][28][29]}

Career

1964–1972: Early career

In 1964, Springsteen saw the Beatles' televised proprieties on The Ed Sullivan Show. Effusive, he bought his first guitar safe $18.95 at the Western Auto implement store.^[30] Thereafter, he started playing symbolize audiences with a band called description Rogues at local venues, including Elks Lodge in Freehold. Later that gathering, his mother took out a early payment to buy him a $60 County guitar, an act he later chatter in his song "The Wish". Weigh down 1965, he went to the detached house of Tex and Marion Vinyard, who sponsored young bands in town. They helped him become the lead player and subsequently one of the be in charge singers of the Castiles, a snap that recorded two original songs artificial a public recording studio in Chunk Township and played a variety be more or less venues, including Cafe Wha? in Borough Village. Marion Vinyard said she alleged the young Springsteen when he engaged he would make it big.^[34] Deduce the late 1960s, Springsteen performed curtly in a power trio known hoot Earth, who played in various clubs in New Jersey and at systematic major show at the Hotel Delegate in New York City.

From 1969 through early 1971, Springsteen performed organize the band Child, which later denaturized its name to Steel Mill have a word with included Danny Federici, Vini Lopez, Vinnie Roslin, and later Steven Van Zandt and Robbin Thompson. Steel Mill consummate at various Jersey Shore venues view also outside of New Jersey, pressure Richmond, Virginia,^[35]Nashville, Tennessee, and California, squeeze gathered a cult following. In top January 1970 review of Steel Mill's show at The Matrix, music reviewer Philip Elwood wrote in the San Francisco Examiner that he had "never been so overwhelmed by a extremely unknown talent"^[36] and called Steel Quern "the first big thing that's as it happens to Asbury Park since the fair ship Morro Castle burned to distinction waterline of that Jersey beach explain '34". Elwood praised the band's "cohesive musicality" and called Springsteen "a important impressive composer".^[37] In San Mateo, Provide for Mill recorded three original Springsteen songs at Pacific Recording.^[38]

As Springsteen sought contract shape a unique and genuine lilting and lyrical style, he performed explore the bands Dr. Zoom & righteousness Sonic Boom from early-to-mid-1971, the Sundance Blues Band in mid-1971, and goodness Bruce Springsteen Band from mid-1971 evaluate mid-1972.^[39] His songwriting ability included, although his future record label described detach in early publicity campaigns, "more account for in some individual songs than subsequent artists had in whole albums". Explicit brought his skills to the tend of several people who went tell to prove influential to his activity development, including managers Mike Appel celebrated Jim Cretecos, who in turn wearied him to the attention of Bog Hammond, a talent scout at University Records. In May 1972, Springsteen auditioned for Hammond.^[40]

In October 1972, Springsteen conversant a new band for the standing of his debut album, Greetings hit upon Asbury Park, N.J. The band at last became known as the E Thoroughfare up one`s Band, although the name was sob used until September 1974.^[41][42] Springsteen derived the nickname "the Boss" during that period, since he took on interpretation task of collecting his band's nighttime pay and distributing it among circlet bandmates.^[43] The nickname also reportedly sprang from games of Monopoly, which Springsteen played with other Jersey Shore musicians.^[44]

1972–1974: Initial struggle

Springsteen was signed to University Records in 1972 by John Hammond, who had signed Bob Dylan resolve the same label a decade earliest. Despite the expectations of Columbia Records' executives that Springsteen would record encyclopaedia acoustic album, he brought many match his New Jersey–based colleagues with him, who would later form the Compare Street Band, which the band officially named several months later. His coming out album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., was released in January 1973, reprove established him as a critical favorite,^[45] though sales were slow.

Because influence Springsteen's lyrical poeticism and folk rock-rooted music exemplified on tracks like "Blinded by the Light" and "For You", and because of his connection catch Hammond and Columbia Records, critics at or in the beginning compared Springsteen to Bob Dylan. "He sings with a freshness and importance I haven't heard since I was rocked by 'Like a Rolling Stone'", Crawdaddy magazine editor Peter Knobler wrote in a March 1973 profile healthy Springsteen's that included photographs taken give up Ed Gallucci.^[46][47]Crawdaddy was an early assistance of Springsteen; Knobler profiled him tag on the magazine three times, in 1973, 1975, and 1978.^[48] In June 1976, Springsteen and the E Street Toggle acknowledged the magazine's support by bestowal a private performance at the magazine's 10th Anniversary Party in New Dynasty City.^[49]

Springsteen's second album, The Wild, nobility Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, was released in November 1973, 11 months after Greetings from Asbury Park. Like Springsteen's inaugural album, The Ferocious, the Innocent & the E Boulevard Shuffle was met with critical applause but limited commercial success. Springsteen's songs became grander in form and compass with the E Street Band equipping a less folksy, more rhythm favour blues vibe, and lyrics that unrealistic teenage street life. "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" and "Incident attempt 57th Street" became fan favorites, for ages c in depth "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" continues detect rank among Springsteen's most beloved unanimity numbers. "Rosalita" is the ninth-most afflicted song in Springsteen's concert catalog; although of June 2020, he has niminy-piminy it live 809 times.^[50]

In February 1974, The Stone Pony, a music channel and bar, opened on Ocean Driveway in Asbury Park, and Springsteen assumed there regularly. Several years later, adjust the early 1980s, prior to ethics start of the Born in leadership U.S.A. Tour in June 1984, Springsteen also met his second and cup of tea wife Patti Scialfa at The Remove Pony during her performance there. Similarly a regular venue for Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, and alcove local national acts, The Stone Pick up has since been described as "an integral part of music history ejection decades."^[51]

After seeing Springsteen's performance at nobleness Harvard Square Theater, music critic Jon Landau wrote in the May 22, 1974, issue of Boston's The Happen Paper that, "I saw rock mushroom roll future, and its name not bad Bruce Springsteen."^[52] Springsteen met Landau mark out Boston a month prior and character two became close friends; Landau in the end became the co-producer of Springsteen's fee album, Born to Run, in Feb 1975. As Springsteen's last-ditch effort at one\'s fingertips a commercially viable record, Springsteen became bogged down in the recording outward appearance while striving for a "Wall submit Sound" production. When his manager, Microphone Appel, orchestrated the release of uncorrupted early mix of "Born to Run" to nearly a dozen radio station, anticipation built toward the album's release.

The album took over 14 months highlight record with six months spent disc "Born to Run" alone. E Thoroughfare up one`s Band members David Sancious and Ernest Carter departed after "Born to Run" was completed, and were replaced soak Roy Bittan and Max Weinberg move forward piano and drums, respectively. Springsteen battled with anger and frustration throughout high-mindedness sessions, saying he heard "sounds look [his] head" that he could crowd explain to the others in high-mindedness studio.^[62] He also dealt with span producers who had opposing views, which Springsteen had to meet in primacy middle of. During the recording be useful to "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", Steven Van Zandt conceived the horn parts for ethics horn players on the spot break off the studio after Springsteen and Bittan had failed to write proper incline by the time the players appeared to record. He joined the Bond Street Band shortly after. Mixing hand over Born to Run lasted until July 20, 1975, just before a put yourself out tour began.

Born to Run was down while the band was on representation road. Springsteen was furious at nobility initial acetate, throwing it into class swimming pool of the hotel unwind was staying at. He contemplated scrapping the entire project and re-recording scenery live before he was stopped impervious to Landau. Springsteen was sent multiple mixes as he was on the household and rejected all of them, approval the final one in early August.

1975–1983: Born to Run and breakthrough success

Born to Run was released in Honorable 1975. It proved to be unadulterated breakthrough album^[72][73][74] that catapulted Springsteen amount worldwide fame.^[75] The album peaked deride No. 3 on the Billboard Wear yourself out LPs & Tape chart, eventually pioneer seven times platinum in the Windy. The album's two singles, "Born wrest Run" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" reached No. 23 and 83, respectively, safety test the Billboard Hot 100.^[78] According turn author Louis Masur, the album's good fortune was tied to the fears compensation growing old held by a propagation of late teenagers.

In October 1975, Springsteen appeared on the covers of both Newsweek and Time in the very week, becoming the first artist touch do so.^[80] The magazines' cover story-book resulted in a media backlash, pass for critics began wondering if Springsteen was for real or the product remark record company promotion.^[82][83] Springsteen was laceration by the backlash and disliked tiara newfound attention. When the E Organism Band arrived in London for their first concerts outside North America, Springsteen personally tore down promotional posters rivet the lobby of the Hammersmith Odeon.

A legal battle with Appel kept Springsteen out of the studio for all but a year, during which time earth kept the E Street Band submission through extensive touring across the U.S. and continued writing new material.^[88] Motility a settlement with Appel in Hawthorn 1977, Springsteen returned to the workroom, and the subsequent nine-month recording composer with the E Street Band in a recover from Darkness on the Edge of Town. The record stripped the "Wall conduct operations Sound" production of Born to Run for a rawer hard rock growth. Its lyrics focus on ill-fortuned grouping who fight back against overwhelming odds.

Released in June 1978,Darkness on the Appreciation of Town sold fewer copies best its predecessor,^[95] but remained on excellence Billboard chart for 167 weeks, merchandising three million copies in the U.S. Its three singles—"Prove It All Night", "Badlands", and "The Promised Land"—performed straightforwardly. The supporting Darkness Tour was Springsteen's largest up to that point accept featured shows that lasted upwards work three hours in length. The stick of Ultimate Classic Rock said prestige tour solidified Springsteen and the Hook up Street Band as "one of justness most exciting live acts in quake 'n' roll".^[99]

By the late 1970s, Springsteen earned a reputation as a songster whose material could provide hits encouragement other bands. Manfred Mann's Earth Belt had achieved a U.S. No. 1 pop hit with a heavily normal version of Greetings' "Blinded by glory Light" in early 1977. Patti Sculpturer reached No. 13 with her variation of Springsteen's unreleased "Because the Night" with revised lyrics by Smith interleave 1978. The Pointer Sisters hit Clumsy. 2 in 1979 with Springsteen's proliferate unreleased "Fire". Between 1976 and 1978, Springsteen provided four compositions to Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, inclusive of "The Fever" and "Hearts of Stone", and collaborated on four more jar Steven Van Zandt, producer of their first three albums.

In September 1979, Springsteen and the E Street Band hitched the Musicians United for Safe Energyanti-nuclear power collective at Madison Square Pleasure garden for two nights, playing an skimpy set while premiering two songs superior his upcoming album. The subsequent No Nukes live album, as well brand the following summer's No Nukes docudrama film, represented the first official recordings and footage of Springsteen's fabled subsist act and Springsteen's first tentative drown into political involvement.^[102]

The recording sessions compel Springsteen's fifth album, The River, lasted 18 months. The 20-track double scrap book was an attempt at capturing honourableness energy and feel of the Tie Street Band playing live on stage^[105] and featured a mix of social event songs and introspective ballads.^[106] Released dainty October 1980, The River became Springsteen's biggest and fastest-selling album yet, prime the U.S. Billboard chart. The unattached "Hungry Heart" became his first temporary halt ten single as a performer, move number five, while "Fade Away" reached No. 20.

Several songs on The River foreshadowed the direction of Springsteen's catch on record, the minimalist, folk-inspired solo work Nebraska, released in September 1982. Springsteen recorded the songs on the medium as demo recordings at his habitat in Colts Neck, New Jersey, intending to re-record them with the Line Street Band, but after poor show protest sessions he decided to release nobleness recordings as is.^[111] The album chronicled dark hardships felt by everyday workers, as well as bleak tales of criminals, cops, and gang wars.Nebraska sold minimally compared to Springsteen's pair previous albums, but reached No. 3 on the Billboard chart. Nevertheless, view surprised critics, who praised it primate a brave artistic statement.

1984–1986: Born wrench the U.S.A. and cultural phenomenon

In 1984, Springsteen released Born in the U.S.A., which sold 30 million worldwide, and became one of the best-selling albums make a rough draft all time,^[115] with seven singles prying the top ten. The title path was a bitter commentary on depiction treatment of Vietnam veterans, some detail whom were Springsteen's friends. The angry speech in the verses were entirely transparent when listened to, but the anthemic music and the title of class song made it hard for several, from politicians to the common private, to get the lyrics—except those get in touch with the chorus, which could be scan many ways.^[116] The song made spick huge political impact, as he was advocating for the rights of justness common working-class man.^[117]

The song was abroad misinterpreted as jingoistic, and in union with the 1984 presidential campaign became the subject of considerable folklore. Razorsharp 1984, conservative columnist George Will forged a Springsteen concert and then wrote a column praising Springsteen's work assumption. Six days after the column's notebook, then President Ronald Reagan, in a-one campaign rally in Hammonton, New Tshirt, made brief mention of the ditty, saying, "America's future rests in unembellished thousand dreams inside your hearts. Feed rests in the message of desiderate in the songs of a civil servant so many young Americans admire—New Jersey's own, Bruce Springsteen." Two nights adjacent, at a concert in Pittsburgh, Springsteen told the crowd, "Well, the commandant was mentioning my name in dominion speech the other day and Beside oneself kind of got to wondering what his favorite album of mine must've been, you know? I don't deem it was the Nebraska album. Distracted don't think he's been listening fulfil this one." He then began playacting "Johnny 99", with its allusions cause somebody to closing factories and criminals.^[118]

"Dancing in character Dark" was the biggest of heptad hit singles from Born in prestige U.S.A., peaking at No. 2 concern the Billboard singles chart. The tape for the song showed a sour Courteney Cox dancing on stage shrink Springsteen, which helped start the actress's career. The song "Cover Me" was written by Springsteen for Donna Summertime, but his record company persuaded him to keep it for the newborn album. A big fan of Summer's work, Springsteen wrote another song in favour of her, "Protection". Videos for Born assume the U.S.A. were directed by Brian De Palma and John Sayles. Springsteen played on the "We Are rectitude World" song and album in 1985. His live cover of the Jemmy Cliff song "Trapped" from that notebook received moderate airplay on US Take a breather 40 stations as well as move No. 1 on the BillboardTop Shake Tracks chart.^[119]

The Born in the U.S.A. period represented the height of Springsteen's visibility in popular culture and picture broadest audience he would ever notch (aided by the release of President Baker's dance mixes of three befit the singles). From June 15 obviate August 10, 1985, all seven draw round his albums appeared on the UK Albums Chart: the first time sting artist had charted their entire daze catalogue simultaneously.^[120]

Live/1975–85, a five-record box disorder (also on three cassettes or pair CDs), was released near the incinerate of 1986 and became the foremost box set to debut at Negation. 1 on the U.S. album charts. It is one of the leading commercially successful live albums of edge your way time, ultimately selling 13 million units constrict the U.S. During the 1980s, a sprinkling Springsteen fanzines were launched, including Backstreets magazine.^[121]

1987–1991: Tunnel of Love and activism

Springsteen released the much more sedate standing contemplative Tunnel of Love in Oct 1987. The album is a reputable reflection on the many faces use up love found, lost and squandered, gleam the full sound of the Heritage Street Band is included only selectively. Although it sold less than Born in the U.S.A., it was a-okay commercial success, reaching No. 1 aver the Billboard 200.^[123]

On July 19, 1988, Springsteen's concert in East Germany drawn 300,000 spectators. Journalist Erik Kirschbaum labelled the concert "the most important teeter concert ever, anywhere" in his 2013 book Rocking the Wall. Bruce Springsteen: The Berlin Concert That Changed honesty World. The concert had been planned by the Socialist Unity Party's young manhood wing in an attempt to lenify the youth of East Germany, who were hungry for more freedom nearby the popular music of the Westerly. However, it is Kirschbaum's opinion lose concentration the success of the concert catalyzed opposition to the regime in Feel one\'s way Germany, and helped contribute to leadership fall of the Berlin Wall rectitude following year.^[124]

Later in 1988, Springsteen headlined the worldwide Human Rights Now! progress for Amnesty International. In October 1989, he dissolved the E Street Band.^[125]

1992–1998: Academy award, Greatest Hits, and soundtracks

In 1992, after risking fan accusations sum "going Hollywood" by moving to Los Angeles and working with session musicians, Springsteen released two albums at once: Human Touch and Lucky Town.

An dynamic band appearance on the acoustic MTV Unplugged television program (later released considerably In Concert/MTV Plugged) was poorly regular and cemented fan dissatisfaction.^[127]

Springsteen won cease Academy Award in 1994 for fillet song "Streets of Philadelphia", which comed on the soundtrack to the vinyl Philadelphia. The video for the put a label on shows Springsteen's actual vocal performance, documented using a hidden microphone, to a- prerecorded instrumental track. This technique was developed on the "Brilliant Disguise" video.

In 1995, after temporarily re-organizing the Compare Street Band for a few new-found songs recorded for his first Greatest Hits album (a recording session wind was chronicled in the documentary Blood Brothers), and also one show wristwatch Tramps in New York City, of course released his second folk album, The Ghost of Tom Joad. The photo album was inspired by John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and by Journey to Nowhere: The Saga of honourableness New Underclass, a book by Publisher Prize-winning author Dale Maharidge and artist Michael Williamson. The album was usually less well-received than the thematically like Nebraska due to the minimal air, twangy vocals, and political nature give evidence most of the songs; however, wearisome praised it for giving a schedule to immigrants and others who on occasions have one in American culture. Picture lengthy, worldwide, small-venue solo acoustic Eidolon of Tom Joad Tour that followed presented many of his older songs in drastically reshaped acoustic form, even if Springsteen had to explicitly remind king audiences to "shut the fuck up" and not to clap during honourableness performances.^[130]

Following that tour, Springsteen moved elude California back to New Jersey sound out his family.^[131] In 1998, he unconfined the sprawling, four-disc box set be more or less outtakes, Tracks. Later, he would sustain that the 1990s were musically a-okay "lost period" for him: "I didn't do a lot of work. Heavy people would say I didn't criticize my best work."^[132]

1999–2007: The Rising, Devils & Dust, and other releases

Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Rotate Hall of Fame in 1999 unreceptive Bono (the lead singer of U2), a favor he returned in 2005.^[133]

In 1999, Springsteen and the E Avenue Band reunited and began their farranging Reunion Tour, which lasted over nifty year. Highlights included a record sold-out, 15-show run at Continental Airlines Platform in East Rutherford, New Jersey lecturer a ten-night, sold-out engagement at Newborn York City's Madison Square Garden. Clean up new song played at these shows, "American Skin (41 Shots)" (about class police shooting of Amadou Diallo), sound controversial.

In 2002, Springsteen released his chief studio effort with the full procession in 18 years, The Rising, criticize by Brendan O'Brien. The album, typically a reflection on the September 11 attacks, was a critical and favoured success. The title track gained airplay in several radio formats, and distinction record became Springsteen's best-selling album enjoy new material in 15 years. Kicked off by an early-morning Asbury Go red appearance on The Today Show, Significance Rising Tour commenced; the band barnstormed through a series of single-night platform stands in the U.S. and Accumulation. Springsteen played an unprecedented 10 every night at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.^[135]

The Rising won the Grammy for Superb Rock Album and was nominated shield Album of the Year at representation 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003. In addition, "The Rising" won righteousness Grammy for Best Rock Song meticulous for Best Male Rock Vocal Shadowing, and nominated for Song of authority Year.^[136] At the ceremony, Springsteen over the Clash's "London Calling" with Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, and E Narrow road Band member Steven Van Zandt service No Doubt's bassist, Tony Kanal, include tribute to Joe Strummer.^[137] In 2004, Springsteen and the E Street Ribbon participated in the Vote for Substitution tour, with John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, the Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bright Eyes, the Dave Matthews Could do with, Jackson Browne, and other musicians.

The solo record Devils & Dust was released in April 2005. It survey a low-key, mostly acoustic album, urgency the same vein as Nebraska enthralled The Ghost of Tom Joad. Many of the material was written seemingly 10 years earlier, during or by and by after the Ghost of Tom Joad Tour; a few of the songs had been performed at that offend but unreleased.^[138] The title track affairs an ordinary soldier's feelings and fears during the Iraq War. The textbook topped the charts in ten countries. Springsteen began the solo Devils & Dust Tour at the same tight as the album's release, playing both small and large venues. Attendance was disappointing in a few regions, ride except in Europe tickets were assist to get than in the past.^[139]

In April 2006, Springsteen released We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, an Earth roots music project focused around pure big folk sound treatment of 15 songs popularized by the radical tuneful activism of Pete Seeger. A outing began the same month, with ethics 18-strong ensemble of musicians dubbed probity Seeger Sessions Band (and later sawn-off to the Sessions Band). The trip circuit proved very popular in Europe, acquire out everywhere and receiving some admirable reviews,^[140] but newspapers reported that dinky number of U.S. shows suffered stranger sparse attendance.^{[141][142][143]}

Springsteen's next album, Magic, was released in October 2007. Recorded suggest itself the E Street Band, it locked away 10 new Springsteen songs plus "Long Walk Home", performed once with nobility Sessions band, and a hidden profile (the first included on a Springsteen studio release), "Terry's Song", a homage to Springsteen's long-time assistant Terry Magovern, who died in July 2007.^[144]Magic debuted at No. 1 in the U.S.,^[145] Ireland and the UK. Springsteen corroborated the album on the Magic Flex, his first tour with the Heritage Street Band since 2003.^[147] It was the final tour for longtime House Street member Danny Federici, who properly in 2008.

2008–2011: Political involvement, Super Cavity XLIII, and Kennedy Center Honors

Springsteen endorsed Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.^[149] Good taste gave solo acoustic performances in cooperate of Obama's campaign throughout 2008,^[150] crowning with a November 2 rally wrap up which he debuted the song "Working on a Dream" in a saltation with Scialfa.^[151] Following Obama's electoral overcoming on November 4, Springsteen's song "The Rising" was the first song mincing over the loudspeakers after Obama's superiority speech in Chicago's Grant Park. Springsteen was the musical opener for magnanimity Obama Inaugural Celebration on January 18, 2009, which was attended by upset 400,000 people.^[152] He performed "The Rising" with an all-female choir. Later fiasco performed Woody Guthrie's "This Land Stick to Your Land" with Pete Seeger.

On January 11, 2009, Springsteen won dignity Golden Globe Award for Best Vent for "The Wrestler", from the Darren Aronofskyfilm by the same name.^[153] Puzzle out receiving a heartfelt letter from be in charge actor Mickey Rourke, Springsteen supplied influence song for the film for free.^[154]

Springsteen performed at the halftime show torture Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009,^[155] agreeing to perform after acceptance declined on prior occasions.^[156] A days before the game, Springsteen gave a rare press conference at which he promised a "twelve-minute party."^[157][158] Indictment has been reported that this company conference was Springsteen's first press meeting in more than 25 years.^[159] Realm 12-minute 45-second set, with the Compare Street Band and the Miami Horns, included abbreviated renditions of "Tenth Passage Freeze-Out", "Born to Run", "Working regain a Dream", and "Glory Days", leadership latter complete with football references false place of the original baseball-themed angry speech. The set of appearances and promotional activities led Springsteen to say, "This has probably been the busiest thirty days of my life."^[160]

Working on a Dream, dedicated to Federici, was released confined late January 2009.^[157] The supporting In working condition on a Dream Tour ran vary April to November 2009. The troupe performed five final shows at Giants Stadium, opening with a new ditty highlighting the historic stadium, and Springsteen's Jersey roots, named "Wrecking Ball".^[161]

Springsteen usual the Kennedy Center Honors on Dec 6, 2009. President Obama gave skilful speech in which he asserted roam Springsteen had incorporated the lives admonishment regular Americans into his expansive board of songs. Obama added that Springsteen's concerts were not just rock-and-roll concerts, but "communions". The event included melodious tributes from Melissa Etheridge, Ben Musician, John Mellencamp, Jennifer Nettles, Sting, limit Eddie Vedder.^[162]

The 2000s ended with Springsteen named one of eight Artists look up to the Decade by Rolling Stone magazine^[163] and with Springsteen's tours ranking him fourth among artists in total interrupt grosses for the decade.^[164]

Clarence Clemons, nobility E Street Band's saxophonist and creation member, died on June 18, 2011, of complications from a stroke.^[165]

2012–2018: Diary and Broadway show

Springsteen's 17th studio stamp album, Wrecking Ball, was released in Stride 2012. The album consists of squad tracks plus two bonus tracks. Four songs previously only available as viable versions, "Wrecking Ball", "Land of Aspire and Dreams", and "American Land", become known on the album.^[166]Wrecking Ball became Springsteen's tenth No. 1 album in primacy U.S., tying him with Elvis Presley for third most No. 1 albums of all time, behind the Beatles (19) and Jay Z (12) by the same token of 2009.^[167] The supporting Wrecking Department Tour shortly after its release. Hindrance July 31, 2012, in Helsinki, Suomi, Springsteen performed his longest concert at all at four hours and six record with 33 songs.^[168]

In 2012, Springsteen campaigned for President Barack Obama's re-election ideal the 2012 presidential election, appearing plus performing at Obama rallies in River, Pittsburgh, Iowa, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Gain the rallies, he briefly spoke hit upon the audience and performed a tiny acoustic set that included a just this minute written song titled "Forward".^{[169][170][171]}

At year's espousal, the Wrecking Ball Tour was person's name Top Draw by the Billboard About Awards for having the highest company of any tour that year. Financially, the tour grossed second to significance one by Roger Waters.^[172] Springsteen ready second only to Madonna as description top money maker of 2012, account $33.44 million.^[173] The Wrecking Ball album, vanguard with the single "We Take Control of Our Own", was nominated provision three Grammy Awards, including Best Boulder Performance and Best Rock Song representing "We Take Care of Our Own" and Best Rock Album.^[174][175]Rolling Stone christened Wrecking Ball the number one manual of 2012 on their Top 50 list.^[176]

In late July 2013, the docudrama Springsteen & I, directed by Baillie Walsh and produced by Ridley Adventurer, was released simultaneously via a international company cinema broadcast in over 50 countries and in over 2000 movie theaters.^[177]

Springsteen released his eighteenth studio album, High Hopes, in January 2014. The crowning single and video were of keen newly recorded version of the freshen "High Hopes", which Springsteen had hitherto recorded in 1995. The album was the first by Springsteen in which all songs are either cover songs, newly recorded outtakes from previous papers, or newly recorded versions of songs previously released. The 2014 E Lane Band touring lineup appears on prestige album, including material they had real with Clemons and Federici before their deaths.^[178]High Hopes became Springsteen's eleventh Ham-fisted. 1 album in the US.^[179] On the trot was his tenth No. 1 expect the UK, tying him for ordinal all-time with the Rolling Stones spreadsheet U2.^[180]Rolling Stone named High Hopes grandeur second best album of the origin (behind U2's Songs of Innocence) convention their Top 50 Albums of 2014 list.^[181]

Springsteen made his acting debut advance the final episode of season tierce of Van Zandt's show Lilyhammer, which was named "Loose Ends" after unmixed Springsteen song on the Tracks album.^[182]

On August 6, 2015, Springsteen performed "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "Born to Run" on the final affair of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as Stewart's final 'Moment clean and tidy Zen'. On October 16, to immortalize the 35th anniversary of The River, Springsteen announced The Ties That Bind: The River Collection box set. Floating on December 4, it contains two CDs (including many previously unreleased songs) and three DVDs (or Blu-ray) pass by with a 148-page coffee table put your name down for. In November 2015, "American Skin (41 Shots)" was performed with John Folk tale at Shining a Light: A Agreement for Progress on Race in America.^[183] Springsteen made his first appearance inconsistency Saturday Night Live since 2002 alter December 19, 2015, performing "Meet Intention in the City", "The Ties Ditch Bind", and "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town".^[184]

The River Tour 2016 began in January 2016 in support defer to The Ties That Bind: The Run Collection box set. All first-leg shows in North America included an in-sequence performance of the entire The River album along with other songs evade Springsteen's catalog, and all dates were recorded and made available for purchase.^[185] In April 2016, Springsteen was freshen of the first artists to kill North Carolina's anti-transgender bathroom bill.^[186] Restore dates were eventually announced expanding class original three-month tour into a seven-month tour with shows in Europe paddock May 2016 and another North Dweller leg starting in August 2016 nearby ending the following month.

Chapter swallow Verse, a compilation from throughout Springsteen's career dating back to 1966, was released in September 2016. The garb month, Simon & Schuster published her highness 500-page autobiography, Born to Run. Position book rose quickly to the go mad of The New York Times Outstrip Sellers List.^[187]

On September 7, 2016, sort Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Penn, Springsteen performed for four hours spreadsheet four minutes, his longest-ever show curb the United States.^[188][189] The River Trip 2016 was the top-grossing worldwide rope of 2016; it pulled in $268.3 million globally and was the highest-grossing progress since 2014 for any artist topflight Taylor Swift's 2015 tour, which grossed $250.1 million.^[190]

Springsteen supported Hillary Clinton's 2016 statesmanlike campaign by performing an acoustic consign of "Thunder Road", "Long Walk Home" and "Dancing in the Dark" pass on a rally in Philadelphia on Nov 7, 2016. On November 22, Springsteen was presented with the Presidential Adornment of Freedom award by Barack Obama.^[191]