Career to date
After signing with Columbia Records, Springsteen released his first studio
album in 1972. Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. garnered critical
acclaim but slow sales. Many compared him to Bob Dylan for his introspective
lyrics and poetic style, but this did not immediately help Springsteen make it
big. Springsteen and the E Street Band followed their debut with The Wild,
The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle later the same year but found
themselves lauded by critics but largely dismissed by the public. Finally, in
1975, after over a year in the studio, Springsteen released a third album, Born
to Run, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and skyrocketed him to
fame. Drawing heavily on Springsteen's New Jersey roots, the album offered
soaring guitars, larger-than-life characters, urban romance and a rebellious
spirit that captured the essence of the American Dream and connected with
audiences of all ages.
Springsteen's next album, Darkness on the Edge of Town, released in 1978, was a more somber affair, emphasizing themes of lost love, depression and existential suffering. "The whole force of Darkness was a survival thing," he said. "After Born to Run, I had a reaction to my good fortune. With success, it felt like a lot of people who'd come before me lost some essential part of themselves. My greatest fear was that success was going to change or diminish that part of myself."
In order to promote the album, Springsteen and the E Street Band embarked on a cross-country tour that would make them famous for their marathon performances (three or four hours per show), boisterous behavior and infectious energy, captivating audiences from California to New York. During this time, Springsteen also became famous for his integrity and pride as a performer, as stories of his exhausting performances and perfectionism in the recording studio became legend.
Career Peak
Darkness at the Edge of Town marked a shift in Springsteen's musical style that he continued in his next two albums, The River (1980) and Nebraska (1982), which both explored themes about working-class Americans. Nebraska was a raw, solo acoustic effort that has been lauded by music fans for its provocative sound.
Springsteen's next album, Darkness on the Edge of Town, released in 1978, was a more somber affair, emphasizing themes of lost love, depression and existential suffering. "The whole force of Darkness was a survival thing," he said. "After Born to Run, I had a reaction to my good fortune. With success, it felt like a lot of people who'd come before me lost some essential part of themselves. My greatest fear was that success was going to change or diminish that part of myself."
In order to promote the album, Springsteen and the E Street Band embarked on a cross-country tour that would make them famous for their marathon performances (three or four hours per show), boisterous behavior and infectious energy, captivating audiences from California to New York. During this time, Springsteen also became famous for his integrity and pride as a performer, as stories of his exhausting performances and perfectionism in the recording studio became legend.
Career Peak
Darkness at the Edge of Town marked a shift in Springsteen's musical style that he continued in his next two albums, The River (1980) and Nebraska (1982), which both explored themes about working-class Americans. Nebraska was a raw, solo acoustic effort that has been lauded by music fans for its provocative sound.
kennedy center honors
2009 Kennedy Center Honors
Medals went to writer/producer Mel Brooks, 83, actor Robert De Niro, 66, opera singer Grace Bumbry, 72, pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, 89, and singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen, 60, for their contributions to American culture. And before joining honorees at the Kennedy Center, the Obamas played host at the White House for the first time to winners at a Sunday afternoon reception.
Medals went to writer/producer Mel Brooks, 83, actor Robert De Niro, 66, opera singer Grace Bumbry, 72, pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, 89, and singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen, 60, for their contributions to American culture. And before joining honorees at the Kennedy Center, the Obamas played host at the White House for the first time to winners at a Sunday afternoon reception.