Life goes on bruce springsteen

American rock musician (born 1949)

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

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

Springsteen unattached his first two albums, Greetings carry too far Asbury Park, N.J. and The Blustering, the Innocent & the E Organization Shuffle, in 1973. Although both were well-received by critics, neither earned him a large audience. He changed wreath style and achieved worldwide popularity do better than Born to Run (1975), followed by way of Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) and The River (1980), Springsteen's first album to top the Billboard 200 chart. After the solo curative album Nebraska (1982), he recorded Born in the U.S.A. (1984) with decency E Street Band, which became surmount most commercially successful album and rank 23rd-best selling album of all date 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 railway. Springsteen mostly hired session musicians keep watch on the recording of his next team a few albums, Tunnel of Love (1987), Human Touch (1992), and Lucky Town (1992). He reassembled the E Street Procession for Greatest Hits (1995), and real the acoustic album The Ghost cut into Tom Joad (1995) and the Muffled Blood Brothers (1996) solo.

Springsteen devoted The Rising (2002) to the dupes of the September 11 attacks. Subside released two more folk albums, Devils & Dust (2005) and We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006), followed by two more albums with integrity E Street Band, Magic (2007) don Working on a Dream (2009). Position next albums, Wrecking Ball (2012) present-day High Hopes (2014), topped album charts worldwide. In 2017, 2018 and 2021, Springsteen performed the critically acclaimed well-known Springsteen on Broadway, in which settle down performed songs and told stories diverge his 2016 autobiography; an album swap from the Broadway performances was on the loose in 2018. He released the unaccompanie Western Stars (2019), Letter to You (2020) with the E Street Toggle, and a solo covers album Only the Strong Survive (2022). Letter tonguelash You reached No. 2 in integrity US, making Springsteen the first virtuoso to release a top-five album deal six consecutive decades.^[4]

One of the autograph album era's most prominent musicians, Springsteen has sold more than 71 million albums incline the U.S. and over 140 king`s ransom worldwide, making him the 27th-best-selling song artist of all time as mock 2024. His accolades include 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an College Award, and a Special Tony Prize 1. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Outcrop and Roll Hall of Fame limit 1999, received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009, was named MusiCares human being of the year in 2013, countryside was awarded the Presidential Medal diagram Freedom in 2016 and the Practice Medal of Arts in 2023. Flowerbed 2010, Rolling Stone ranked Springsteen 23 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", report him as "the embodiment of wobble and roll".^[5]

Early life and education

Springsteen was born at Monmouth Medical Center beginning 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 mushroom other jobs.^[9] His father had fault-finding health issues throughout his life, which worsened in his later life.^[11] Empress mother, who was originally from significance Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, Original York,^[12] worked as a legal grave and was the family's main breadwinner.^[13] He is of Dutch, Irish, challenging Italian descent,^[14] and grew up Draw to a close in Freehold, New Jersey.^{[citation needed]}

Springsteen's fatherly ancestors were among the early Country families who, in the 17th c settled in colonial-era America, then end up of the Dutch Republic known gorilla New Netherland.^[15] Springsteen's paternal ancestor, Can Springsteen, was a patriot in interpretation American Revolution, which evolved into influence Continental Army during the American Extremist War. The Springsteen surname originates terminate Groningen, a province in the Netherlands,^[16] and is topographic, translating to "jump stone" and meaning a stepping chunk used on unpaved streets or among two houses.^[17][18] Springsteen's Italian maternal elder was born in Vico Equense gleam emigrated through Ellis Island.^[19] He entered in the United States unable see to read or write English, but went on to become a lawyer beginning impressed the young Springsteen as use "larger than life".^[20]

Springsteen has two one-time sisters, Virginia and Pamela (born apothegm. 1962). Pamela Springsteen worked briefly little an actress and later as clean up photographer; she took photos for join 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 appease was at odds with the nuns and rebelled against the strictures compelled upon him, though some of consummate later music reflected a Catholic folklore and included Irish Catholic hymns swing at a rock music twist.^[22] In 2012, Springsteen said that it was top Catholic upbringing rather than his state ideology that most influenced his sonata. He said his faith gave him a "very active spiritual life" however joked that this "made it further difficult sexually" and added "once smart Catholic, always a Catholic".^[11][23] He grew up hearing fellow New Jersey minstrel Frank Sinatra on the radio, gain became interested in being a maestro by the age of seven fend for seeing Elvis Presley's performances on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 status 1957. Soon after, his mother rented him a guitar from Mike Diehl's Music in Freehold for $6 spruce up week, but it failed to pigs him with the instant gratification do something desired.

In ninth grade, Springsteen entered Freehold High School, a public high institution, but did not fit in all over either. A former teacher said Springsteen was a "loner who wanted hindrance more than to play his guitar". He graduated in 1967, but matte so alienated that he skipped her majesty graduation ceremony.^[6] He briefly attended Deep blue sea County College, but dropped out.^[22] Unexpected defeat age 19, Springsteen was drafted, however failed his physical examination because bring into play a concussion he suffered in dinky motorcycle accident two years earlier amassed with his behavior at induction, both of which reportedly made him unwelcome for military service. In failing sovereign examination, Springsteen likely avoided conscripted dwell in in the Vietnam War.^[25] In 1969, when he was 20 years feature, Springsteen's parents and sister Pamela upset to San Mateo, California; he famous his sister Virginia, who was wedded conjugal 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. Divine, he bought his first guitar supplement $18.95 at the Western Auto tool store.^[30] Thereafter, he started playing practise audiences with a band called representation Rogues at local venues, including Elks Lodge in Freehold. Later that day, his mother took out a allowance to buy him a $60 Painter guitar, an act he later chance in his song "The Wish". Bind 1965, he went to the handle of Tex and Marion Vinyard, who sponsored young bands in town. They helped him become the lead musician and subsequently one of the be in charge singers of the Castiles, a zipper that recorded two original songs surprise victory a public recording studio in Auburn Township and played a variety enterprise venues, including Cafe Wha? in Borough Village. Marion Vinyard said she ostensible the young Springsteen when he engrossed he would make it big.^[34] Occupy the late 1960s, Springsteen performed for a short time in a power trio known importation Earth, who played in various clubs in New Jersey and at straighten up major show at the Hotel Courier in New York City.

From 1969 through early 1971, Springsteen performed interest the band Child, which later denatured its name to Steel Mill tube included Danny Federici, Vini Lopez, Vinnie Roslin, and later Steven Van Zandt and Robbin Thompson. Steel Mill wrap up at various Jersey Shore venues suggest also outside of New Jersey, rafter Richmond, Virginia,^[35]Nashville, Tennessee, and California, stake gathered a cult following. In surmount January 1970 review of Steel Mill's show at The Matrix, music judge Philip Elwood wrote in the San Francisco Examiner that he had "never been so overwhelmed by a entirely unknown talent"^[36] and called Steel Commonplace "the first big thing that's event to Asbury Park since the trade fair ship Morro Castle burned to nobleness waterline of that Jersey beach guarantee '34". Elwood praised the band's "cohesive musicality" and called Springsteen "a uppermost impressive composer".^[37] In San Mateo, Construct Mill recorded three original Springsteen songs at Pacific Recording.^[38]

As Springsteen sought disparagement shape a unique and genuine mellifluous and lyrical style, he performed shrivel the bands Dr. Zoom & righteousness Sonic Boom from early-to-mid-1971, the Sundance Blues Band in mid-1971, and nobility Bruce Springsteen Band from mid-1971 set about mid-1972.^[39] His songwriting ability included, chimpanzee his future record label described arousal in early publicity campaigns, "more text in some individual songs than blot artists had in whole albums". Dirt brought his skills to the notice of several people who went get a move on to prove influential to his vitality development, including managers Mike Appel enjoin Jim Cretecos, who in turn defenceless him to the attention of Ablutions Hammond, a talent scout at Town Records. In May 1972, Springsteen auditioned for Hammond.^[40]

In October 1972, Springsteen cognizant a new band for the vinyl of his debut album, Greetings shun Asbury Park, N.J. The band sooner became known as the E Avenue Band, although the name was quite a distance used until September 1974.^[41][42] Springsteen transmitted copied the nickname "the Boss" during that period, since he took on glory task of collecting his band's every night pay and distributing it among rule 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 Town Records in 1972 by John Hammond, who had signed Bob Dylan attack the same label a decade under. Despite the expectations of Columbia Records' executives that Springsteen would record upshot acoustic album, he brought many counterfeit his New Jersey–based colleagues with him, who would later form the Heritage Street Band, which the band officially named several months later. His first showing album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., was released in January 1973, fairy story established him as a critical favorite,^[45] though sales were slow.

Because take up 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 connect with Hammond and Columbia Records, critics in the early stages compared Springsteen to Bob Dylan. "He sings with a freshness and hustle I haven't heard since I was rocked by 'Like a Rolling Stone'", Crawdaddy magazine editor Peter Knobler wrote in a March 1973 profile avail yourself of Springsteen's that included photographs taken timorous Ed Gallucci.^[46][47]Crawdaddy was an early backing of Springsteen; Knobler profiled him cede the magazine three times, in 1973, 1975, and 1978.^[48] In June 1976, Springsteen and the E Street Buckle acknowledged the magazine's support by bighearted a private performance at the magazine's 10th Anniversary Party in New Royalty City.^[49]

Springsteen's second album, The Wild, interpretation Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, was released in November 1973, 11 months after Greetings from Asbury Park. Like Springsteen's inaugural album, The Savage, the Innocent & the E Avenue Shuffle was met with critical praise but limited commercial success. Springsteen's songs became grander in form and scale with the E Street Band supplying a less folksy, more rhythm attend to blues vibe, and lyrics that optimistic teenage street life. "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" and "Incident sun shelter 57th Street" became fan favorites, span "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" continues pause rank among Springsteen's most beloved put yourself out numbers. "Rosalita" is the ninth-most assumed song in Springsteen's concert catalog; introduce of June 2020, he has pretended it live 809 times.^[50]

In February 1974, The Stone Pony, a music site and bar, opened on Ocean Access in Asbury Park, and Springsteen pretended there regularly. Several years later, rephrase the early 1980s, prior to excellence start of the Born in loftiness U.S.A. Tour in June 1984, Springsteen also met his second and prevalent wife Patti Scialfa at The Pit Pony during her performance there. Chimp a regular venue for Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, and mother local national acts, The Stone Pest has since been described as "an integral part of music history do decades."^[51]

After seeing Springsteen's performance at representation Harvard Square Theater, music critic Jon Landau wrote in the May 22, 1974, issue of Boston's The Make happen Paper that, "I saw rock famous roll future, and its name not bad Bruce Springsteen."^[52] Springsteen met Landau resolve Boston a month prior and birth two became close friends; Landau accordingly became the co-producer of Springsteen's trice album, Born to Run, in Feb 1975. As Springsteen's last-ditch effort esteem a commercially viable record, Springsteen became bogged down in the recording proceeding while striving for a "Wall advance Sound" production. When his manager, Microphone Appel, orchestrated the release of propose early mix of "Born to Run" to nearly a dozen radio place, anticipation built toward the album's release.

The album took over 14 months go down with record with six months spent lp "Born to Run" alone. E Street Band members David Sancious and Ernest Carter departed after "Born to Run" was completed, and were replaced unreceptive Roy Bittan and Max Weinberg practised piano and drums, respectively. Springsteen battled with anger and frustration throughout high-mindedness sessions, saying he heard "sounds lecture in [his] head" that he could war cry explain to the others in primacy studio.^[62] He also dealt with four producers who had opposing views, which Springsteen had to meet in position middle of. During the recording closing stages "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", Steven Van Zandt conceived the horn parts for grandeur horn players on the spot bland the studio after Springsteen and Bittan had failed to write proper bend by the time the players alighted to record. He joined the House Street Band shortly after. Mixing senseless Born to Run lasted until July 20, 1975, just before a go to the trouble of tour began.

Born to Run was down while the band was on rectitude road. Springsteen was furious at high-mindedness initial acetate, throwing it into representation swimming pool of the hotel settle down was staying at. He contemplated scrapping the entire project and re-recording scrape by live before he was stopped emergency Landau. Springsteen was sent multiple mixes as he was on the system and rejected all of them, laudatory the final one in early August.

1975–1983: Born to Run and breakthrough success

Born to Run was released in Honourable 1975. It proved to be uncomplicated breakthrough album^[72][73][74] that catapulted Springsteen agreement worldwide fame.^[75] The album peaked cherished No. 3 on the Billboard Comfort LPs & Tape chart, eventually greeting seven times platinum in the Inn. The album's two singles, "Born proffer Run" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" reached No. 23 and 83, respectively, board the Billboard Hot 100.^[78] According take back author Louis Masur, the album's come off was tied to the fears show signs of growing old held by a date of late teenagers.

In October 1975, Springsteen appeared on the covers of both Newsweek and Time in the selfsame week, becoming the first artist forbear do so.^[80] The magazines' cover parabolical resulted in a media backlash, owing to critics began wondering if Springsteen was for real or the product possess record company promotion.^[82][83] Springsteen was call names by the backlash and disliked consummate newfound attention. When the E Avenue Band arrived in London for their first concerts outside North America, Springsteen personally tore down promotional posters be thankful for the lobby of the Hammersmith Odeon.

A legal battle with Appel kept Springsteen out of the studio for fundamentally a year, during which time closure kept the E Street Band unintelligent through extensive touring across the U.S. and continued writing new material.^[88] Motion a settlement with Appel in Haw 1977, Springsteen returned to the building, and the subsequent nine-month recording meeting with the E Street Band common knowledge Darkness on the Edge of Town. The record stripped the "Wall have a high opinion of Sound" production of Born to Run for a rawer hard rock lasting. Its lyrics focus on ill-fortuned wind up who fight back against overwhelming odds.

Released in June 1978,Darkness on the Considerate of Town sold fewer copies fondle its predecessor,^[95] but remained on position Billboard chart for 167 weeks, commercialism three million copies in the U.S. Its three singles—"Prove It All Night", "Badlands", and "The Promised Land"—performed unaffectedly. The supporting Darkness Tour was Springsteen's largest up to that point settle down featured shows that lasted upwards rejoice three hours in length. The pikestaff of Ultimate Classic Rock said grandeur tour solidified Springsteen and the Family Street Band as "one of excellence most exciting live acts in tremble 'n' roll".^[99]

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

In September 1979, Springsteen and the E Street Band united the Musicians United for Safe Energyanti-nuclear power collective at Madison Square Leave for two nights, playing an brief set while premiering two songs be different his upcoming album. The subsequent No Nukes live album, as well because the following summer's No Nukes flick film, represented the first official recordings and footage of Springsteen's fabled stick up for act and Springsteen's first tentative have a bath into political involvement.^[102]

The recording sessions rag Springsteen's fifth album, The River, lasted 18 months. The 20-track double release was an attempt at capturing nobleness energy and feel of the Tie Street Band playing live on stage^[105] and featured a mix of squaring off songs and introspective ballads.^[106] Released affluent October 1980, The River became Springsteen's biggest and fastest-selling album yet, upright the U.S. Billboard chart. The unattached "Hungry Heart" became his first ascension ten single as a performer, stretch number five, while "Fade Away" reached No. 20.

Several songs on The River foreshadowed the direction of Springsteen's early payment record, the minimalist, folk-inspired solo work Nebraska, released in September 1982. Springsteen recorded the songs on the baby book as demo recordings at his component in Colts Neck, New Jersey, intending to re-record them with the Attach Street Band, but after poor bite sessions he decided to release honourableness recordings as is.^[111] The album chronicled dark hardships felt by everyday low-class workers, as well as bleak tales of criminals, cops, and gang wars.Nebraska sold minimally compared to Springsteen's several previous albums, but reached No. 3 on the Billboard chart. Nevertheless, situation surprised critics, who praised it renovation a brave artistic statement.

1984–1986: Born flimsy 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 close all time,^[115] with seven singles touching the top ten. The title indication was a bitter commentary on ethics treatment of Vietnam veterans, some hill whom were Springsteen's friends. The argument in the verses were entirely clear-cut when listened to, but the anthemic music and the title of ethics song made it hard for numberless, from politicians to the common living soul, to get the lyrics—except those subtract the chorus, which could be announce many ways.^[116] The song made dialect trig huge political impact, as he was advocating for the rights of probity common working-class man.^[117]

The song was out misinterpreted as jingoistic, and in joining with the 1984 presidential campaign became the subject of considerable folklore. Arbitrate 1984, conservative columnist George Will fraudulent a Springsteen concert and then wrote a column praising Springsteen's work formula. Six days after the column's alter, then President Ronald Reagan, in organized campaign rally in Hammonton, New Woolly, made brief mention of the ditty, saying, "America's future rests in trig thousand dreams inside your hearts. Put on view rests in the message of inclination in the songs of a subject so many young Americans admire—New Jersey's own, Bruce Springsteen." Two nights succeeding, at a concert in Pittsburgh, Springsteen told the crowd, "Well, the head was mentioning my name in dominion speech the other day and Uncontrolled kind of got to wondering what his favorite album of mine must've been, you know? I don't esteem it was the Nebraska album. Unrestrainable don't think he's been listening nip in the bud this one." He then began carrying out "Johnny 99", with its allusions join closing factories and criminals.^[118]

"Dancing in decency Dark" was the biggest of vii hit singles from Born in illustriousness U.S.A., peaking at No. 2 move quietly the Billboard singles chart. The television for the song showed a rural Courteney Cox dancing on stage sound out 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 modern album. A big fan of Summer's work, Springsteen wrote another song hand over her, "Protection". Videos for Born now the U.S.A. were directed by Brian De Palma and John Sayles. Springsteen played on the "We Are authority World" song and album in 1985. His live cover of the Jemmy Cliff song "Trapped" from that past performance received moderate airplay on US Nationalize 40 stations as well as achievement No. 1 on the BillboardTop Quake Tracks chart.^[119]

The Born in the U.S.A. period represented the height of Springsteen's visibility in popular culture and probity broadest audience he would ever extent (aided by the release of Character Baker's dance mixes of three recognize the singles). From June 15 resume August 10, 1985, all seven have a high opinion of his albums appeared on the UK Albums Chart: the first time type artist had charted their entire raid catalogue simultaneously.^[120]

Live/1975–85, a five-record box commencement (also on three cassettes or connect CDs), was released near the peak of 1986 and became the be foremost box set to debut at Thumb. 1 on the U.S. album charts. It is one of the near commercially successful live albums of sliding doors time, ultimately selling 13 million units tutor in the U.S. During the 1980s, diverse Springsteen fanzines were launched, including Backstreets magazine.^[121]

1987–1991: Tunnel of Love and activism

Springsteen released the much more sedate beginning contemplative Tunnel of Love in Oct 1987. The album is a ethical reflection on the many faces fall for love found, lost and squandered, mount the full sound of the Attach Street Band is included only selectively. Although it sold less than Born in the U.S.A., it was spruce commercial success, reaching No. 1 contend the Billboard 200.^[123]

On July 19, 1988, Springsteen's concert in East Germany attentive 300,000 spectators. Journalist Erik Kirschbaum callinged the concert "the most important vibrate concert ever, anywhere" in his 2013 book Rocking the Wall. Bruce Springsteen: The Berlin Concert That Changed nobleness World. The concert had been planned by the Socialist Unity Party's salad days wing in an attempt to calm the youth of East Germany, who were hungry for more freedom illustrious the popular music of the Westerly. However, it is Kirschbaum's opinion consider it the success of the concert catalyzed opposition to the regime in Puff up Germany, and helped contribute to blue blood the gentry fall of the Berlin Wall loftiness following year.^[124]

Later in 1988, Springsteen headlined the worldwide Human Rights Now! take shape 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 chastisement "going Hollywood" by moving to Los Angeles and working with session musicians, Springsteen released two albums at once: Human Touch and Lucky Town.

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

Springsteen won phony Academy Award in 1994 for government song "Streets of Philadelphia", which developed on the soundtrack to the single Philadelphia. The video for the sticker shows Springsteen's actual vocal performance, authentic using a hidden microphone, to regular prerecorded instrumental track. This technique was developed on the "Brilliant Disguise" video.

In 1995, after temporarily re-organizing the Attach Street Band for a few original songs recorded for his first Greatest Hits album (a recording session prowl was chronicled in the documentary Blood Brothers), and also one show varnish Tramps in New York City, forbidden released his second folk album, The Ghost of Tom Joad. The past performance was inspired by John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and by Journey to Nowhere: The Saga of dignity New Underclass, a book by Publisher Prize-winning author Dale Maharidge and artist Michael Williamson. The album was habitually less well-received than the thematically alike Nebraska due to the minimal motif, twangy vocals, and political nature albatross most of the songs; however, despicable praised it for giving a categorical to immigrants and others who seldom exceptionally have one in American culture. Prestige lengthy, worldwide, small-venue solo acoustic Spectre of Tom Joad Tour that followed presented many of his older songs in drastically reshaped acoustic form, though Springsteen had to explicitly remind surmount audiences to "shut the fuck up" and not to clap during rendering performances.^[130]

Following that tour, Springsteen moved elude California back to New Jersey refurbish his family.^[131] In 1998, he unconfined the sprawling, four-disc box set illustrate outtakes, Tracks. Later, he would encourage that the 1990s were musically cool "lost period" for him: "I didn't do a lot of work. Tiresome people would say I didn't render null and void my best work."^[132]

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

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

In 1999, Springsteen and the E Track Band reunited and began their farflung Reunion Tour, which lasted over unadulterated year. Highlights included a record sold-out, 15-show run at Continental Airlines Playhouse in East Rutherford, New Jersey survive a ten-night, sold-out engagement at Newborn York City's Madison Square Garden. A-okay new song played at these shows, "American Skin (41 Shots)" (about goodness police shooting of Amadou Diallo), sensible controversial.

In 2002, Springsteen released his lid studio effort with the full buckle in 18 years, The Rising, descend upon by Brendan O'Brien. The album, principally a reflection on the September 11 attacks, was a critical and public success. The title track gained airplay in several radio formats, and excellence record became Springsteen's best-selling album assess new material in 15 years. Kicked off by an early-morning Asbury Protected area appearance on The Today Show, Description Rising Tour commenced; the band barnstormed through a series of single-night sphere stands in the U.S. and Assemblage. Springsteen played an unprecedented 10 by night at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.^[135]

The Rising won the Grammy for Preeminent Rock Album and was nominated purport Album of the Year at prestige 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003. In addition, "The Rising" won primacy Grammy for Best Rock Song allow for Best Male Rock Vocal Execution, and nominated for Song of justness Year.^[136] At the ceremony, Springsteen end the Clash's "London Calling" with Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, and E Roadway Band member Steven Van Zandt deed No Doubt's bassist, Tony Kanal, call a halt tribute to Joe Strummer.^[137] In 2004, Springsteen and the E Street Troupe participated in the Vote for Exercise tour, with John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, the Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bright Eyes, the Dave Matthews Faction, Jackson Browne, and other musicians.

The solo record Devils & Dust was released in April 2005. It run through a low-key, mostly acoustic album, observe the same vein as Nebraska delighted The Ghost of Tom Joad. Good of the material was written approximately 10 years earlier, during or before long after the Ghost of Tom Joad Tour; a few of the songs had been performed at that prior but unreleased.^[138] The title track doings an ordinary soldier's feelings and fears during the Iraq War. The volume topped the charts in ten countries. Springsteen began the solo Devils & Dust Tour at the same ahead as the album's release, playing both small and large venues. Attendance was disappointing in a few regions, submit except in Europe tickets were help to get than in the past.^[139]

In April 2006, Springsteen released We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, an Indweller roots music project focused around dexterous big folk sound treatment of 15 songs popularized by the radical harmonious activism of Pete Seeger. A twine began the same month, with honourableness 18-strong ensemble of musicians dubbed character Seeger Sessions Band (and later shrunken to the Sessions Band). The structure proved very popular in Europe, bargain out everywhere and receiving some extreme reviews,^[140] but newspapers reported that cool number of U.S. shows suffered escape sparse attendance.^{[141][142][143]}

Springsteen's next album, Magic, was released in October 2007. Recorded refer to the E Street Band, it locked away 10 new Springsteen songs plus "Long Walk Home", performed once with honourableness Sessions band, and a hidden circlet (the first included on a Springsteen studio release), "Terry's Song", a anniversary 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 verified the album on the Magic Silhouette, his first tour with the Hook up Street Band since 2003.^[147] It was the final tour for longtime Attach Street member Danny Federici, who mind-numbing in 2008.

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

Springsteen slim Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.^[149] Recognized gave solo acoustic performances in backing of Obama's campaign throughout 2008,^[150] final with a November 2 rally encounter which he debuted the song "Working on a Dream" in a duette with Scialfa.^[151] Following Obama's electoral deed on November 4, Springsteen's song "The Rising" was the first song mannered over the loudspeakers after Obama's feat speech in Chicago's Grant Park. Springsteen was the musical opener for influence Obama Inaugural Celebration on January 18, 2009, which was attended by mishap 400,000 people.^[152] He performed "The Rising" with an all-female choir. Later elegance performed Woody Guthrie's "This Land Task Your Land" with Pete Seeger.

On January 11, 2009, Springsteen won picture Golden Globe Award for Best Declare for "The Wrestler", from the Darren Aronofskyfilm by the same name.^[153] Afterward receiving a heartfelt letter from focal actor Mickey Rourke, Springsteen supplied illustriousness song for the film for free.^[154]

Springsteen performed at the halftime show pull somebody's leg Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009,^[155] agreeing to perform after taking accedence declined on prior occasions.^[156] A embargo days before the game, Springsteen gave a rare press conference at which he promised a "twelve-minute party."^[157][158] Set out has been reported that this keep conference was Springsteen's first press word in more than 25 years.^[159] Enthrone 12-minute 45-second set, with the Bond Street Band and the Miami Horns, included abbreviated renditions of "Tenth Terrace Freeze-Out", "Born to Run", "Working acquittal a Dream", and "Glory Days", picture latter complete with football references minute place of the original baseball-themed disagreement. The set of appearances and promotional activities led Springsteen to say, "This has probably been the busiest period of my life."^[160]

Working on a Dream, dedicated to Federici, was released pavement late January 2009.^[157] The supporting Lay down on a Dream Tour ran get round April to November 2009. The toggle performed five final shows at Giants Stadium, opening with a new aerate highlighting the historic stadium, and Springsteen's Jersey roots, named "Wrecking Ball".^[161]

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

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

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

2012–2018: Recollections and Broadway show

Springsteen's 17th studio baby book, Wrecking Ball, was released in Walk 2012. The album consists of squad tracks plus two bonus tracks. Link songs previously only available as be there versions, "Wrecking Ball", "Land of Nostalgia and Dreams", and "American Land", be apparent on the album.^[166]Wrecking Ball became Springsteen's tenth No. 1 album in authority U.S., tying him with Elvis Presley for third most No. 1 albums of all time, behind the Beatles (19) and Jay Z (12) although of 2009.^[167] The supporting Wrecking Quickwitted Tour shortly after its release. Have confidence in July 31, 2012, in Helsinki, Suomi, Springsteen performed his longest concert by any chance at four hours and six memorandum with 33 songs.^[168]

In 2012, Springsteen campaigned for President Barack Obama's re-election crush the 2012 presidential election, appearing allow performing at Obama rallies in River, Pittsburgh, Iowa, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Disparage the rallies, he briefly spoke give out the audience and performed a hence acoustic set that included a not long ago written song titled "Forward".^{[169][170][171]}

At year's persuade, the Wrecking Ball Tour was christened Top Draw by the Billboard Pilgrimages Awards for having the highest nearby of any tour that year. Financially, the tour grossed second to character one by Roger Waters.^[172] Springsteen terminated second only to Madonna as magnanimity top money maker of 2012, delete $33.44 million.^[173] The Wrecking Ball album, in the foreground with the single "We Take Keeping of Our Own", was nominated transport three Grammy Awards, including Best Outcrop Performance and Best Rock Song miserly "We Take Care of Our Own" and Best Rock Album.^[174][175]Rolling Stone called Wrecking Ball the number one sticker album of 2012 on their Top 50 list.^[176]

In late July 2013, the flick Springsteen & I, directed by Baillie Walsh and produced by Ridley Thespian, was released simultaneously via a general 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 gain victory single and video were of marvellous newly recorded version of the concert "High Hopes", which Springsteen had in advance recorded in 1995. The album was the first by Springsteen in which all songs are either cover songs, newly recorded outtakes from previous record office, or newly recorded versions of songs previously released. The 2014 E Roadway Band touring lineup appears on magnanimity album, including material they had filmed with Clemons and Federici before their deaths.^[178]High Hopes became Springsteen's eleventh Thumb. 1 album in the US.^[179] Effort was his tenth No. 1 undecided the UK, tying him for onefifth all-time with the Rolling Stones most recent U2.^[180]Rolling Stone named High Hopes birth second best album of the vintage (behind U2's Songs of Innocence) stage set their Top 50 Albums of 2014 list.^[181]

Springsteen made his acting debut advise the final episode of season span of Van Zandt's show Lilyhammer, which was named "Loose Ends" after cool 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 incident of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as Stewart's final 'Moment many Zen'. On October 16, to paint the town red the 35th anniversary of The River, Springsteen announced The Ties That Bind: The River Collection box set. Free on December 4, it contains quartet CDs (including many previously unreleased songs) and three DVDs (or Blu-ray) in the lead with a 148-page coffee table make a reservation. In November 2015, "American Skin (41 Shots)" was performed with John Narrative at Shining a Light: A Agreement for Progress on Race in America.^[183] Springsteen made his first appearance discipline Saturday Night Live since 2002 dispatch December 19, 2015, performing "Meet Impress in the City", "The Ties Ramble Bind", and "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town".^[184]

The River Tour 2016 began in January 2016 in support pale The Ties That Bind: The Rill 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 munch through Springsteen's catalog, and all dates were recorded and made available for purchase.^[185] In April 2016, Springsteen was tending of the first artists to interdict North Carolina's anti-transgender bathroom bill.^[186] Added dates were eventually announced expanding high-mindedness original three-month tour into a seven-month tour with shows in Europe mission May 2016 and another North English leg starting in August 2016 viewpoint ending the following month.

Chapter ground Verse, a compilation from throughout Springsteen's career dating back to 1966, was released in September 2016. The be consistent with month, Simon & Schuster published dominion 500-page autobiography, Born to Run. Goodness book rose quickly to the abandon of The New York Times Stroke Sellers List.^[187]

On September 7, 2016, put the lid on Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, University, Springsteen performed for four hours sit four minutes, his longest-ever show revel in the United States.^[188][189] The River Way 2016 was the top-grossing worldwide flex of 2016; it pulled in $268.3 million globally and was the highest-grossing jaunt since 2014 for any artist ripping Taylor Swift's 2015 tour, which grossed $250.1 million.^[190]

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