Bruce Springsteen Biography

(One of the Best-Selling Rock Singer-Songwriters and Founder of the Rock Band 'E Street Band')

Birthday: September 23, 1949 (Libra)

Born In: Long Branch, New Jersey, United States

Bruce Springsteen is a popular American singer, prolific songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist. He became popular because of his unique and creative songwriting ability. His songwriting skills caught the attention of a lot of people, fans, and music professionals alike. Most of his songs reflect his political opinions and his working-class roots in New Jersey, where he grew up. He is a positive thinker; he sees greatness in the labors of daily American life and is stimulated by the stories of ordinary people. He is not a religious person, but doesn’t deny the fact that his Catholic upbringing has guided his musical career. He is one of America's most admired musicians. His greatest work ‘Born in the USA’ is a best-selling album. His album ‘Born to Run’ is also regarded as one of the best rock and roll albums and Springsteen's finest works. The title track of the album was an analysis of the unfair treatment of Vietnam veterans, some of whom were his friends. His songs ‘Born in the USA’ and ‘Born to Run’ have made Springsteen the rock star that he is today.

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen

Age: 75 Years, 75 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Patti Scialfa (m. 1991), Julianne Phillips (m. 1985 - div. 1989)

father: Douglas Frederick Springsteen

mother: Adele Ann Springsteen

siblings: Pamela Springsteen, Virginia Springsteen Shave

children: Evan James Springsteen, Jessica Rae Springsteen, Sam Ryan Springsteen

Born Country: United States

Rock Singers Lyricists & Songwriters

Ancestry: Dutch American, Irish American, Italian American

Notable Alumni: Ocean County College

City: Long Branch, New Jersey

U.S. State: New Jersey

More Facts

education: Ocean County College

Humanitarian Work: Donated the proceeds from his performance for hurricane Sandy victims

  • 1

    What is Bruce Springsteen's best-selling album?

    Bruce Springsteen's best-selling album is "Born in the U.S.A.," released in 1984.

  • 2

    How many Grammy Awards has Bruce Springsteen won?

    Bruce Springsteen has won a total of 20 Grammy Awards throughout his career.

  • 3

    What is the significance of Bruce Springsteen's nickname

    Bruce Springsteen's nickname "The Boss" originated from his early days when he took charge of managing his band's gigs and finances.

  • 4

    What is the subject matter of Bruce Springsteen's album "Nebraska?"

    The album "Nebraska" by Bruce Springsteen explores themes of darkness, despair, and the struggles of everyday Americans.

Childhood & Early Life
Bruce Springsteen was born Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen on September 23, 1949, in New Jersey, USA, to Douglas Frederick and Adele Ann.
After being inspired by Elvis Presley’s performance on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ he wanted to become a musician.
His mother saw his potential and encouraged him. He bought his first guitar for $18.95 in 1964; it started his lifetime affair with the guitar.
The nickname ‘Boss’ stuck with him for his task of collecting the band's nightly pay and distributing it among his band mates.
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Career
Springsteen’s mother bought him a $60 Kent guitar in 1964, which was remembered in his song ‘The Wish.’
He started performing with various bands. In 1970, well-known ‘San Francisco Examiner’ music critic Philip Elwood gave him a compliment by depicting him as the most remarkable composer.
Starting from 1970, he tried to form various bands that didn’t turn out well. Two years later, he caught the attention of the likes of Mike Appel, Jim Cretecos, and John Hammond who worked together to land him a record deal with ‘Columbia Records.’
‘Crawdaddy’ magazine’s editor Peter Knobler interviewed him in 1973 and remarked saying “He sings with a freshness and urgency I haven't heard.”
Boston's ‘The Real Paper’ music critic Jon Landau saw his performance at the ‘Harvard Square Theater’ in 1974, and commented that Bruce Springsteen is the future of rock and roll.
In 1975, Springsteen and the ‘E Street Band’ began a show at New York's ‘Bottom Line Club.’ It became so popular that the ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine recorded the event as ‘One of the 50 Moments That Changed Rock and Roll.’
Also in 1975, his third album ‘Born to Run’ catapulted him to fame. It peaked on ‘Billboard 200’ at No.3. He was on the covers of both ‘Time’ and ‘Newsweek’ magazines simultaneously, something that previously happened only with world leaders.
In 1977, a lawsuit between him and former manager Mike Appel kept him out of the studio for nearly a year.
‘Born in the USA’ sold 45 million copies worldwide in 1984, becoming one of the best-selling albums, with seven singles hitting the Top 10.
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He released his album ‘Tunnel of Love’ in 1987. He performed at the ‘Tunnel of Love Express Tour’ at the ‘Radrennbahn Weißensee’ in East Berlin, which was attended by 300,000 fans.
Springsteen was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1999.
In 2008, he sang ‘Working on a Dream’ with Scialfa in support of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
He performed at the halftime show at ‘Super Bowl XLIII’ on February 1, 2009.
During the years 2012-2014, the singer released two albums titled ‘Wrecking Ball’ and ‘High Hopes.’ The 2014 album ‘High Hopes’ consists of covers performed by Bruce.
In January 2016, ‘The River Tour’ began in support of ‘The Ties That Bind: The River Collection’ box set.
‘Chapter and Verse,’ a collection from Springsteen's career dating back to 1966, was released in September 2016.
In September 2016, Springsteen performed for four hours and four minutes at ‘Citizens Bank Park’ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as part of ‘The River 2016 Tour.’ It is his longest-ever show in the United States.
The live album ‘Springsteen on Broadway’ was released in December 2018.
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His 19th album ‘Western Stars’ was out in June 2019.
Major Works
Springsteen’s albums ‘Born in the USA’ and ‘Born to Run’ have sold more than 184 million albums all over the world. The albums made him one of the world's best-selling artists.
Awards & Achievements
Bruce has received multiple awards and citations from the US as well as from different countries like Great Britain, Sweden, and others for his talent and contribution to the field of music.
This legendary singer has won various awards for his work. His awards include 20 ‘Grammys,’ two ‘Golden Globes,’ and an ‘Academy Award.’ He has also been inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ and the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’
He was named one of the eight ‘Artists of the Decade’ and the fourth-highest grossing concert artist of the decade by the ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine.
In 2009, he received the ‘Kennedy Center Honors,’ an award given to personalities from the world of arts for their contribution to American culture.
In 2013, Springsteen, along with his friend and mentor Pete Seeger and 198 other celebrities, was honored at the ‘American Academy of Arts and Sciences,’ held at the Academy's headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Personal Life & Legacy
It was during the ‘Born in the U.S.A. Tour’ where he met his future wife, actress Julianne Phillips. They got married in 1985.
Unfortunately, their affection for each other did not last long, and Springsteen began an affair with ‘E Street Band’ backup singer Patti Scialfa. Bruce and Julianne were divorced in 1989.
Meanwhile, Springsteen moved in with Scialfa. They got married in 1991 and were blessed with three kids.
New Jersey was hit by ‘Hurricane Sandy’ in 2012, prompting Bruce to extend his help. He dedicated his performance at the ‘Blue Cross Arena’ in Rochester to the victims of the storm. He also performed for a one-hour telethon for the benefit of the ‘American Red Cross,’ and performed at ‘Madison Square Garden’ for ‘Sandy Relief.’
Facts About Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen's nickname, "The Boss," was actually given to him by his bandmates early in his career because of his natural leadership qualities and meticulous attention to detail.

Springsteen's iconic song "Born in the U.S.A." is often misunderstood as a patriotic anthem, but it is actually a critical commentary on the treatment of Vietnam War veterans and the struggles of the working class in America.

Despite his rockstar status, Springsteen is known for his down-to-earth demeanor and strong work ethic. He is often seen interacting with fans before and after his concerts, and he values authenticity and connection in his music.

Springsteen is a devoted philanthropist, supporting causes such as veterans' rights, hunger relief, and disaster relief efforts. He has used his platform to raise awareness and funds for various charitable organizations over the years.

In addition to his music career, Springsteen is also an accomplished author, penning his autobiography "Born to Run" in 2016.

The book offers readers a deeper insight into his life, struggles, and creative process, showcasing his talent as a storyteller in a different medium.

Awards

Academy Awards(Oscars)
1994 Best Music, Original Song Philadelphia (1993)
Golden Globe Awards
2009 Best Original Song - Motion Picture The Wrestler (2008)
1994 Best Original Song - Motion Picture Philadelphia (1993)
Grammy Awards
2010 Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance Winner
2009 Best Rock Song Winner
2008 Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance Winner
2008 Best Rock Song Winner
2008 Best Rock Instrumental Performance Winner
2007 Best Traditional Folk Album Winner
2007 Best Long Form Music Video Wings for Wheels: The Making of 'Born to Run' (2005)
2006 Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance Winner
2005 Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance Winner
2004 Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group Winner
2003 Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Winner
2003 Best Rock Song Winner
2003 Best Rock Album Winner
1997 Best Contemporary Folk Album Winner
1995 Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television Philadelphia (1993)
1995 Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Winner
1995 Best Rock Song Winner
1995 Song of the Year Winner
1988 Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo Winner
1985 Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male Winner
ASCAP Film And Television Music Awards
1995 Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures Philadelphia (1993)
MTV Video Music Awards
1994 Best Video from a Film Philadelphia (1993)
1994 Best Video from a Film Bruce Springsteen: Streets of Philadelphia (1994)
1985 Best Stage Performance in a Video Bruce Springsteen: Dancing in the Dark (1984)
1985 Best Male Video Bruce Springsteen: I'm on Fire (1985)

See the events in life of Bruce Springsteen in Chronological Order

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