Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bruce Springsteen
How Bruce Springsteen built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Bruce Springsteen, known as "the Boss," is a highly influential American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. With 21 studio albums over six decades, often collaborating with the E Street Band, he's a pioneer of heartland rock. His music blends commercially successful rock with socially conscious lyrics reflecting working-class American life. Springsteen is also celebrated for his dynamic and lengthy live performances.
1974: Landau "saw rock and roll future"
In 1974, after witnessing Bruce Springsteen's performance at the Harvard Square Theater, music critic Jon Landau famously wrote that he "saw rock and roll future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen."
February 1975: Landau co-produces "Born to Run"
In February 1975, Jon Landau, having become close friends with Bruce Springsteen after meeting him in Boston a month earlier, became the co-producer of Springsteen's album, Born to Run.
July 20, 1975: Mixing for Born to Run completed
On July 20, 1975, the mixing process for the album Born to Run was completed, just before Bruce Springsteen's concert tour began.
August 1975: "Born to Run" album released
In August 1975, Bruce Springsteen released the album "Born to Run". The album became a breakthrough, catapulting Springsteen to worldwide fame, and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart.
October 1975: Springsteen on covers of Newsweek and Time
In October 1975, Bruce Springsteen appeared on the covers of both Newsweek and Time magazines in the same week, marking the first time an artist had achieved this feat. This resulted in a media backlash.
1975: Springsteen Appears on the Cover of Time
Bruce Springsteen appeared on the cover of Time in 1975, which led to the government paying closer attention to his taxes.
1976: Springsteen Provides Compositions to Southside Johnny
Between 1976 and 1978, Bruce Springsteen provided four compositions to Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, including "The Fever" and "Hearts of Stone", and collaborated on four more with Steven Van Zandt.
May 1977: Settlement with Appel, return to studio
In May 1977, Bruce Springsteen reached a settlement with Mike Appel after a legal battle. Springsteen returned to the studio to record "Darkness on the Edge of Town".
1977: Manfred Mann's Earth Band hits No. 1 with "Blinded by the Light"
In early 1977, Manfred Mann's Earth Band achieved a U.S. No. 1 pop hit with a heavily rearranged version of Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light".
June 1978: Release of Darkness on the Edge of Town
In June 1978, Bruce Springsteen released 'Darkness on the Edge of Town'. The album sold fewer copies than its predecessor, but remained on the Billboard chart for 167 weeks, selling three million copies in the U.S.
1978: Patti Smith reaches No. 13 with "Because the Night"
In 1978, Patti Smith reached No. 13 with her version of Bruce Springsteen's unreleased "Because the Night" with revised lyrics by Smith.
September 1979: Springsteen joins MUSE at Madison Square Garden
In September 1979, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band joined the Musicians United for Safe Energy anti-nuclear power collective at Madison Square Garden for two nights, premiering songs from his upcoming album. The event was later captured in a live album and documentary film.
1979: The Pointer Sisters hit No. 2 with "Fire"
In 1979, The Pointer Sisters hit No. 2 with Bruce Springsteen's then-unreleased song, "Fire".
October 1980: Release of "The River"
In October 1980, Bruce Springsteen released "The River", his fifth album. It became his biggest and fastest-selling album yet, topping the U.S. Billboard chart.
September 1982: Release of Nebraska
In September 1982, Bruce Springsteen released his sixth album Nebraska, a minimalist, folk-inspired solo effort. Despite minimal sales, it reached No. 3 on the Billboard chart and was praised by critics.
June 1984: Born in the U.S.A. Tour Begins
In June 1984, the Born in the U.S.A. Tour began with Patti Scialfa joining the E Street Band at the request of Bruce Springsteen.
1984: Release of "Born in the U.S.A."
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen released "Born in the U.S.A.", which sold 30 million copies worldwide and became one of the best-selling albums of all time, with seven singles hitting the top ten. The title track was a commentary on the treatment of Vietnam veterans.
1984: Political impact of "Born in the U.S.A."
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen's song "Born in the U.S.A." was misinterpreted as patriotic, and became the subject of considerable folklore. Ronald Reagan made brief mention of the song during a campaign rally in Hammonton, New Jersey.
August 10, 1985: Springsteen's albums on UK Albums Chart
From June 15 to August 10, 1985, Bruce Springsteen had all seven of his albums appear on the UK Albums Chart simultaneously, marking the first time an artist had achieved this feat.
1985: Springsteen in "We Are the World"
In 1985, Bruce Springsteen participated in the "We Are the World" song and album. His live cover of Jimmy Cliff's "Trapped" from that album received airplay and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart.
1986: Release of Live/1975-85 box set
Near the end of 1986, Bruce Springsteen released the Live/1975–85 box set, which became the first box set to debut at No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and one of the most commercially successful live albums of all time.
October 1987: Release of Tunnel of Love
In October 1987, Bruce Springsteen released the album Tunnel of Love, a more sedate and contemplative work. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
February 1988: Tunnel of Love Express Tour Begins
In February 1988, the Tunnel of Love Express Tour began. Bruce Springsteen convinced Patti Scialfa to postpone her solo record and join the tour.
July 19, 1988: Springsteen concert in East Germany
On July 19, 1988, Bruce Springsteen's concert in East Germany attracted 300,000 spectators, considered to be an important catalyst that contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
October 1989: Dissolution of the E Street Band
In October 1989, Bruce Springsteen dissolved the E Street Band.
1992: Release of Human Touch and Lucky Town
In 1992, Bruce Springsteen released two albums at once: Human Touch and Lucky Town.
1994: Springsteen wins Academy Award for "Streets of Philadelphia"
In 1994, Bruce Springsteen won an Academy Award for his song "Streets of Philadelphia", which appeared on the soundtrack to the film Philadelphia.
1999: Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1999, Bruce Springsteen was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
April 2008: Springsteen Endorses Barack Obama
In April 2008, Bruce Springsteen announced his endorsement of Barack Obama's presidential campaign and appeared at rallies in support of him.
2009: Springsteen Speaks Out for LGBTQ Rights
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen posted a statement on his website supporting LGBTQ rights and gay marriage, aligning with Governor Corzine's view that marriage equality is a civil rights issue.
2009: Springsteen Receives Kennedy Center Honors
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen received the Kennedy Center Honors.
2012: Springsteen Campaigns for Obama
Despite initially stating he would sit out the election, Bruce Springsteen campaigned for Barack Obama's re-election in Ohio, Iowa, Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Wisconsin in 2012.
2012: Springsteen Supports Gay Marriage Ad Campaign
In 2012, Bruce Springsteen lent his support to Four 2012, an ad campaign for gay marriage, urging supporters to voice their opinions.
2012: Evan Springsteen Wins Singer/Songwriter Competition
In 2012, Evan Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen's son, won the Singer/Songwriter Competition held during Boston College's Arts Festival.
2013: Springsteen Named MusiCares Person of the Year
In 2013, Bruce Springsteen was named MusiCares person of the year.
August 2014: Jessica Springsteen's Show-Jumping Debut with Team USA
In August 2014, Jessica Springsteen made her show-jumping debut with Team USA.
April 2016: Springsteen Cancels Show to Protest "Bathroom Law"
In April 2016, Bruce Springsteen cancelled a show in Greensboro, North Carolina, to protest the state's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, also known as the "bathroom law".
2016: Springsteen Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2016, Bruce Springsteen was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
2017: Springsteen Celebrates Women's March
During a 2017 show in Perth, Australia, Bruce Springsteen celebrated the post-inauguration Women's March against the incoming Trump administration.
October 2019: Springsteen Criticizes Donald Trump
In October 2019, Bruce Springsteen criticized Donald Trump, stating he "doesn't have a grasp of the deep meaning of what it means to be an American".
June 2020: Springsteen Calls Trump a Threat to Democracy
In June 2020, Bruce Springsteen called Donald Trump a "threat to our democracy".
October 13, 2020: Springsteen's Song Featured in Anti-Trump Video
On October 13, 2020, Bruce Springsteen's song "Streets of Philadelphia" was featured in a video critical of Donald Trump, released by author Don Winslow.
May 2021: Springsteen Receives Woody Guthrie Prize
In May 2021, Bruce Springsteen became the eighth recipient of the Woody Guthrie Prize, an award honoring artists who speak out for social justice.
March 2023: Springsteen Awarded National Medal of Arts
In March 2023, Bruce Springsteen was awarded the 2021 National Medal of Arts from President Joe Biden at the White House, after the ceremony was postponed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2023: Springsteen Postpones Concerts Due to Illness
In September 2023, Bruce Springsteen announced the postponement of all his US concerts through December due to ongoing treatment for peptic ulcer disease.
March 2024: Springsteen Named Academy Fellow
In March 2024, it was announced that Bruce Springsteen would be named an Academy Fellow by The Ivors Academy in May 2024.
May 2024: Springsteen Named Academy Fellow by The Ivors Academy
Bruce Springsteen was named Academy Fellow by The Ivors Academy in May 2024.
May 23, 2024: Springsteen Inducted into The Ivors Academy Fellowship
On May 23, 2024, Bruce Springsteen became the first international songwriter inducted into The Ivors Academy Fellowship in its 80-year history.
October 3, 2024: Springsteen Endorses Kamala Harris
On October 3, 2024, Bruce Springsteen endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election and gave a speech at one of her campaign rallies on October 24.
2024: Trump Called for Investigation into Springsteen
In 2024 Donald Trump called for a major investigation into Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah, and other celebrities for their endorsement of Kamala Harris, claiming that Harris illegally paid them to support her campaign for president.
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