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 iconic American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As a pioneer of heartland rock, his music blends commercially successful rock with poetic and socially conscious lyrics, reflecting working-class American life. He is renowned for his energetic and lengthy live performances, often with the E Street Band, his backing band since 1972. He has released 21 studio albums over six decades.
September 1979: Musicians United for Safe Energy concert
In September 1979, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band participated in the Musicians United for Safe Energy anti-nuclear power collective at Madison Square Garden. They played an abbreviated set and premiered songs from Springsteen's upcoming album. This event represented Springsteen's first official recordings and footage of his live act and his initial foray into political involvement.
1984: Political attention and "Born in the U.S.A."
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen's work, especially the song "Born in the U.S.A.", garnered political attention. Conservative columnist George Will praised Springsteen's work ethic, and President Ronald Reagan mentioned Springsteen in a campaign rally. Springsteen responded at a concert by alluding to Reagan's potential misunderstanding of his music and playing "Johnny 99".
May 13, 1985: Marriage to Julianne Phillips
On May 13, 1985, Bruce Springsteen married actress Julianne Phillips at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
July 19, 1988: Concert in East Germany
On July 19, 1988, Bruce Springsteen performed a concert in East Germany that attracted 300,000 spectators. The concert, intended to placate East German youth, is considered by some to have catalyzed opposition to the regime and contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
August 30, 1988: Julianne 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: Divorce Finalized
On March 1, 1989, the divorce between Bruce Springsteen and Julianne Phillips was finalized.
July 25, 1990: Birth of First Child, Evan James Springsteen
On July 25, 1990, Patti Scialfa gave birth to her and Bruce Springsteen's first child, Evan James Springsteen.
June 8, 1991: Marriage to Patti Scialfa
On June 8, 1991, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa married in a private ceremony at their Los Angeles home.
December 30, 1991: Birth of Second Child, Jessica Rae Springsteen
On December 30, 1991, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's second child, Jessica Rae Springsteen, was born.
January 5, 1994: Birth of Third Child, Samuel Ryan Springsteen
On January 5, 1994, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's third child, Samuel Ryan Springsteen, was born.
1995: Springsteen Discusses Marriage to Scialfa
In a 1995 interview, Bruce Springsteen discussed his marriage to Patti Scialfa, reflecting on the importance of the public commitment 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 with John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, the Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bright Eyes, the Dave Matthews Band, Jackson Browne, and other musicians.
2005: Returning the Favor to Bono
In 2005, Bruce Springsteen returned the favor of inducting someone into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Bono.
July 2007: Death of Terry Magovern
In July 2007, Terry Magovern, Bruce Springsteen's long-time assistant, died. Springsteen later included "Terry's Song" on the Magic album as a tribute.
2008: Death of Danny Federici
In 2008, Danny Federici, a long-time member of the E Street Band, passed away. The Magic Tour became his final tour with the band.
2008: Support for Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign
Throughout 2008, Bruce Springsteen supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign. He gave solo acoustic performances and debuted the song "Working on a Dream" in a duet with Scialfa.
January 18, 2009: Performance at Obama Inaugural Celebration
On January 18, 2009, Bruce Springsteen was the musical opener for the Obama Inaugural Celebration. He performed "The Rising" with an all-female choir and "This Land Is Your Land" with Pete Seeger.
June 18, 2011: Death of Clarence Clemons
On June 18, 2011, Clarence Clemons, the E Street Band's saxophonist and founding member, died of complications from a stroke.
2012: Campaigning for Barack Obama's Re-election
In 2012, Bruce Springsteen campaigned for President Barack Obama's re-election, appearing and performing at rallies in various states. At these rallies, he performed a short acoustic set that included a newly written song titled "Forward".
2012: Evan Springsteen Wins Singer/Songwriter Competition
In 2012, Bruce Springsteen's son, Evan Springsteen, won the Singer/Songwriter Competition held during Boston College's Arts Festival.
2012: Van Zandt Comments on Springsteen's Lifestyle
In 2012, Van Zandt commented that Bruce Springsteen is the only person he knows who has never done 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: Performance of "American Skin (41 Shots)" with John Legend
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's Anti-Transgender Bill
In April 2016, Bruce Springsteen was one of the first artists to boycott North Carolina's anti-transgender bathroom bill.
2016: Springsteen Discusses Faith in Autobiography
In Bruce Springsteen's 2016 autobiography, Born to Run, he discussed his personal relationship with Jesus and his complex relationship with Catholicism.
2019: Article on Springsteen's Health Routine
A 2019 Consequence article celebrating Bruce Springsteen's 70th birthday revealed that he still maintains his mostly vegetarian diet and exercise routine.
July 17, 2022: Springsteen Becomes a Grandfather
On July 17, 2022, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa became grandparents when their son Sam and his fiancée had a daughter.
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