Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are an American rock group from New Jersey, United States, active since 1972. They serve as Bruce Springsteen’s primary backing band and are known for very long live performances. Their official credit is used for live recordings; Springsteen’s studio albums are credited to Bruce Springsteen alone, even when the E Street Band plays on them.

History and line-up

The group forms in 1972 and the line-up changes over time, but several musicians become closely associated with it. Core members include Clarence Clemons on saxophone, Danny Federici on organ, Garry Tallent on bass, Max Weinberg on drums, Roy Bittan on piano, and Bruce Springsteen on vocals, guitar, harmonica and piano. Steven Van Zandt joins while Born to Run is being recorded and becomes an important member of the band. Nils Lofgren later replaces Van Zandt when he leaves. Patti Scialfa joins in 1984 and also becomes Springsteen’s wife in 1991. Soozie Tyrell joins in 2002 after earlier occasional appearances.

Other musicians associated with the band include Vini Lopez, David Sancious, Ernest Carter, Charles Giordano, Jake Clemons, Anthony Almonte, Barry Danielian, Ada Dyer, Curtis King, Lisa Lowell, Ed Manion, Ozzie Melendez, Michelle Moore, Curt Ramm and The Asbury Park All-Star Revue. The verified line-up also includes צרויה להב and Little Steven.

Recordings and performances

The band is particularly identified with its live concerts. After the band splits in 1989 following the success of the Born in the U.S.A. tour and the Tunnel of Love tour, it reunites in 1999 for a long reunion tour. It records The Rising in 2002, then tours extensively again. Magic appears in 2007 and includes the single “Radio Nowhere”.

In 2008, Danny Federici is temporarily replaced by Charlie Giordano and later dies. The band completes a 100-show tour and plays the Super Bowl halftime show in 2009. It also performs at Glastonbury in 2009, in its first UK festival appearance, with a two-and-a-half-hour headline set.

Style

The group is classified as heartland rock, pop rock and rock, and is widely associated with Bruce Springsteen’s singer-songwriter work and guitar-driven sound.