Early Life and Education of Bruce Springsteen: A Complete Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Bruce Springsteen, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Bruce Springsteen, nicknamed "the Boss", is an influential American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. A pioneer of heartland rock, he's released 21 studio albums across six decades, frequently collaborating with his backing band, the E Street Band, since 1972. He is a significant figure in American music and culture.
May 13, 1985: Springsteen marries Julianne Phillips
On May 13, 1985, Bruce Springsteen married actress Julianne Phillips at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The couple had an 11-year age difference and different backgrounds, and Springsteen's traveling took its toll on their relationship.
August 30, 1988: Phillips files for divorce
On August 30, 1988, Julianne Phillips filed for divorce from Bruce Springsteen in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences.
March 1, 1989: Springsteen divorce finalized
On March 1, 1989, Bruce Springsteen's divorce from Julianne Phillips was finalized after a settlement was reached in December.
October 1989: Dissolution of the E Street Band
In October 1989, Bruce Springsteen made the decision to dissolve the E Street Band, marking a significant change in his career.
July 25, 1990: Birth of First Child
On July 25, 1990, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's first child, a son, was born.
June 8, 1991: Springsteen and Scialfa Marry
On June 8, 1991, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa married at their Los Angeles home in a private ceremony with family and close friends.
December 30, 1991: Birth of Second Child
On December 30, 1991, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's second child, Jessica Rae Springsteen, was born.
January 5, 1994: Birth of Third Child
On January 5, 1994, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's third child, a son, was born.
1995: Springsteen reflects on marriage
In 1995, Bruce Springsteen reflected on his marriage to Patti Scialfa, noting its significance and societal implications after his divorce.
2004: Vote for Change Tour Participation
In 2004, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band participated in the Vote for Change tour, alongside other musicians.
July 2007: Death of Terry Magovern
In July 2007, Terry Magovern, Bruce Springsteen's long-time assistant, died, which led to the creation of the tribute song "Terry's Song".
April 2008: Springsteen endorses Barack Obama
In April 2008, Bruce Springsteen announced his endorsement of Barack Obama's presidential campaign and appeared at several rallies in support of Obama throughout that year.
2008: Death of Danny Federici
In 2008, Danny Federici, a longtime member of the E Street Band, died, marking the end of his final tour.
2008: Support for Barack Obama's presidential campaign
Throughout 2008, Bruce Springsteen supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign with solo acoustic performances. He debuted "Working on a Dream" in a duet with Scialfa at a rally.
January 18, 2009: Performance at Obama Inaugural Celebration
On January 18, 2009, Bruce Springsteen was the musical opener for the Obama Inaugural Celebration, performing "The Rising" and "This Land Is Your Land" with Pete Seeger.
2009: Springsteen supports same-sex couples
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen posted a statement on his website in support of same-sex couples.
June 18, 2011: Death of Clarence Clemons
On June 18, 2011, Clarence Clemons, the E Street Band's saxophonist and founding member, passed away due to complications from a stroke.
2012: Springsteen campaigns for Obama's re-election
Despite previously stating he would sit out the election, in 2012 Bruce Springsteen campaigned for Barack Obama's re-election in Ohio, Iowa, Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Wisconsin.
2012: Campaigning for Obama's Re-Election
In 2012, Bruce Springsteen campaigned for President Barack Obama's re-election, performing at rallies and debuting a new song titled "Forward".
2012: Springsteen Supports Gay Marriage
In 2012, Bruce Springsteen lent his support to Four 2012, an ad campaign for gay marriage.
2012: Evan Springsteen Wins Singer/Songwriter Competition
In 2012, Bruce Springsteen's son, Evan, won the Singer/Songwriter Competition held during Boston College's Arts Festival.
2012: "We Take Care of Our Own" Used as Theme Song
In 2012, Obama used "We Take Care of Our Own" by Bruce Springsteen as one of his theme songs.
2012: Van Zandt comments on Springsteen's avoidance of drugs
In 2012, Van Zandt stated that Bruce Springsteen is the only person he knows who never did drugs.
August 2014: Jessica Springsteen's Show-Jumping Debut with Team USA
In August 2014, Bruce Springsteen's daughter, Jessica Springsteen, made her show-jumping debut with Team USA.
November 2015: "American Skin (41 Shots)" Performance
In November 2015, Bruce Springsteen performed "American Skin (41 Shots)" with John Legend at Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America.
April 2016: Boycott of North Carolina
In April 2016, Bruce Springsteen boycotted North Carolina due to the state's anti-transgender bathroom bill.
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 newly passed Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, also referred to as the "bathroom law".
November 7, 2016: Support for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign
On November 7, 2016, Bruce Springsteen supported Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign by performing at a rally in Philadelphia.
2016: Springsteen discusses religion in autobiography
In his 2016 autobiography, Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen stated that he has a personal relationship with Jesus and discussed his relationship with Catholicism.
January 12, 2017: Performance at the White House for the Obamas
On January 12, 2017, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa performed a 15-song acoustic set at the White House for Barack and Michelle Obama.
2017: Springsteen celebrates Women's March
During a 2017 show in Perth, Australia, Bruce Springsteen made a statement celebrating 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, calling him a "conman from Queens" and stating that he "doesn't have a grasp of the deep meaning of what it means to be an American".
2019: Springsteen's health routine revealed
A 2019 Consequence article celebrating Bruce Springsteen's 70th birthday revealed that he still maintains his mostly vegetarian diet and exercise routine, which includes running and lifting weights.
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: "Streets of Philadelphia" 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.
July 17, 2022: Springsteen Becomes a Grandparent
On July 17, 2022, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa became grandparents when their son Sam and his fiancée had a daughter.
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 spoke at one of her campaign rallies.
2024: Trump calls for major investigation into Springsteen
In 2024, Trump called for a major investigation into Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah, and other celebrities for their endorsement of Harris, claiming that Harris illegally paid them to support her 2024 presidential campaign.
January 17, 2026: Springsteen dedicates "The Promised Land" to Renée Good
On January 17, 2026, Bruce Springsteen dedicated the song "The Promised Land" to Renée Good, who was killed by an ICE officer in Minnesota, during a performance at the Light of Day Winterfest in New Jersey. He also spoke out against ICE activity in Minneapolis.
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