History of Bruce Springsteen in Timeline
Bruce Springsteen, known as "the Boss," is an iconic American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A pioneer of heartland rock, he blends commercially successful rock music with socially conscious and poetic lyrics reflecting working-class American life. He is known for his energetic and lengthy live performances with the E Street Band, his backing band since 1972, and has released 21 studio albums over six decades.
1965: Bob Dylan's song
In 1965, Bob Dylan released the song Desolation Row, whose melody was adapted for Springsteen's "Streets of Minneapolis".
1966: Start of compilation of songs for Chapter and Verse.
Bruce Springsteen's compilation of songs for Chapter and Verse began in 1966.
1974: Jon Landau's review
In 1974, after witnessing Bruce Springsteen's performance at the Harvard Square Theater, music critic Jon Landau famously declared, "I saw rock and roll future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen."
February 1975: Landau co-produces Born to Run
In February 1975, Jon Landau became the co-producer of Bruce Springsteen's album, Born to Run, after becoming close friends with Springsteen the month prior. Springsteen's 'Born to Run' album recording process was a long one, leading to frustration and pressure on Springsteen.
July 20, 1975: Mixing for Born to Run completed
On July 20, 1975, the mixing for the album Born to Run was completed just before a concert tour began. The album's recording process lasted over 14 months.
August 1975: Born to Run album release
In August 1975, Born to Run was released, becoming a breakthrough album that propelled Springsteen to worldwide fame, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart.
October 1975: Springsteen on the 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 media attention led to a critical backlash.
1975: Springsteen on the Cover of Time
In 1975, Bruce Springsteen appeared on the cover of Time magazine, which led to increased scrutiny of his taxes. He had to dedicate most of his income over the next several years to paying back taxes.
1976: Compositions for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Between 1976 and 1978, Bruce Springsteen wrote four compositions for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and collaborated on four more with Steven Van Zandt.
May 1977: Settlement with Appel
In May 1977, Bruce Springsteen reached a settlement with Mike Appel after a legal battle and returned to the studio to record a new album.
1977: Manfred Mann's Earth Band hits No. 1 with Blinded by the Light
In early 1977, Manfred Mann's Earth Band reached U.S. No. 1 with a rearranged version of 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, which, despite selling fewer copies than its predecessor, remained on the Billboard chart for 167 weeks and sold three million copies in the U.S. The supporting tour was Springsteen's largest to that point.
1978: Patti Smith reaches No. 13 with Because the Night
In 1978, Patti Smith reached No. 13 with her version of Springsteen's unreleased "Because the Night," featuring revised lyrics.
September 1979: Springsteen joins Musicians United for Safe Energy
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. They played an abbreviated set and premiered songs from his upcoming album.
October 1980: Release of The River
In October 1980, Bruce Springsteen released The River, a 20-track double album, which 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 Nebraska, a minimalist, folk-inspired solo album recorded as demo recordings at his home. Although it sold less than his previous albums, 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 Springsteen asking Scialfa to join the E Street Band.
1984: Release of Born in the U.S.A.
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen released Born in the U.S.A., which became one of the best-selling albums of all time, selling 30 million copies worldwide, with seven singles reaching 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 during the 1984 presidential campaign. Ronald Reagan mentioned the song at a rally in New Jersey. Springsteen responded at a Pittsburgh concert by playing "Johnny 99".
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 Springsteen's touring took a toll on their marriage.
August 10, 1985: Springsteen's entire back catalog charted in the UK
On August 10, 1985, Bruce Springsteen had all seven of his albums on the UK Albums Chart simultaneously, marking the first time an artist had achieved this.
1985: Success of "Dancing in the Dark" and participation in "We Are the World"
In 1985, "Dancing in the Dark" became Bruce Springsteen's biggest hit single from Born in the U.S.A., peaking at No. 2. He also played on "We Are the World".
1986: Release of Live/1975–85
Near the end of 1986, Bruce Springsteen released Live/1975–85, a five-record box set that became the first box set to debut at No. 1 on the U.S. album charts.
October 1987: Release of Tunnel of Love
In October 1987, Bruce Springsteen released the contemplative Tunnel of Love, which 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, with Springsteen convincing Scialfa to postpone her solo record and join the tour.
June 1988: Villa Park Concert
In June 1988, Bruce Springsteen performed at Villa Park where the concert sound traveled unusually far. In the same month, he played in East Berlin.
August 30, 1988: Julianne Phillips files for divorce
On August 30, 1988, citing irreconcilable differences, Julianne Phillips filed for divorce from Bruce Springsteen in Los Angeles.
1988: Human Rights Now! tour
Later in 1988, Bruce Springsteen headlined the worldwide Human Rights Now! tour for Amnesty International.
March 1, 1989: Springsteen's Divorce Finalized
On March 1, 1989, Bruce Springsteen's divorce from Julianne Phillips was finalized.
October 1989: Dissolution of the E Street Band
In October 1989, Bruce Springsteen dissolved the E Street Band, marking a significant change in his career.
July 25, 1990: Birth of Springsteen's First Child
On July 25, 1990, Patti Scialfa gave birth to her and Bruce Springsteen's first child, a son.
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 attended by family and close friends.
December 30, 1991: Birth of Jessica Rae Springsteen
On December 30, 1991, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's second child, Jessica Rae Springsteen, was born.
1992: Release of Human Touch and Lucky Town
In 1992, Bruce Springsteen released two albums at once: Human Touch and Lucky Town. His MTV Unplugged appearance received negative reviews.
January 5, 1994: Birth of Springsteen's Third Child
On January 5, 1994, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa welcomed their third child, a son.
1994: Academy Award for Streets of Philadelphia
In 1994, Bruce Springsteen won an Academy Award for his song "Streets of Philadelphia", featured in the film Philadelphia.
1995: Original Recording of "High Hopes"
In 1995, Bruce Springsteen originally recorded the song "High Hopes".
1995: Release of The Ghost of Tom Joad
In 1995, Bruce Springsteen released The Ghost of Tom Joad, inspired by John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. This album was characterized as Springsteen's first overt social statement since Born in the U.S.A.
1995: Springsteen Addresses Negative Publicity
In a 1995 interview with The Advocate, Bruce Springsteen discussed the negative publicity he and Patti Scialfa received after starting their relationship, reflecting on the societal judgment and his handling of the situation.
1998: Release of 'Tracks' Box Set
In 1998, Bruce Springsteen released "Tracks", a sprawling, four-disc box set of outtakes.
1999: Induction 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, marking a significant milestone in his career.
1999: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction and Reunion Tour
In 1999, Bruce Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Bono of U2. Also in 1999, Springsteen reunited with the E Street Band for the extensive Reunion Tour, which included sold-out shows at Continental Airlines Arena and Madison Square Garden. During the tour, the new controversial song "American Skin (41 Shots)" was played.
2002: Release of 'The Rising' and Tour
In 2002, Bruce Springsteen released "The Rising", his first studio album with the full band in 18 years, reflecting on the September 11 attacks. The release was followed by The Rising Tour, including 10 nights at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.
2003: Grammy Awards for The Rising
In 2003, "The Rising" won the Grammy for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song and for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. At the ceremony, Springsteen performed "London Calling" with Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Steven Van Zandt, and Tony Kanal.
2003: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
In 2003, Rolling Stone listed several Bruce Springsteen albums in their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, including Born to Run, Born in the U.S.A., The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Nebraska, The River, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., and Tunnel of Love.
2003: Magic Tour
The Magic Tour was Bruce Springsteen's first tour with the E Street Band since 2003.
2004: Vote for Change Tour Participation
In 2004, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band participated in the Vote for Change tour, with other musicians, in support of political change.
2004: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
In 2004, Rolling Stone listed three Bruce Springsteen songs in their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: "Born to Run," "Thunder Road," and "Born in the U.S.A."
April 2005: Release of 'Devils & Dust' and Tour
In April 2005, Bruce Springsteen released the solo album "Devils & Dust" and began the solo Devils & Dust Tour.
2005: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame appearance.
In 2005, Bruce Springsteen inducted Bono of U2 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
April 2006: Release of 'We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions' and Tour
In April 2006, Bruce Springsteen released "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" and began a tour with the Seeger Sessions Band.
July 2007: Death of Terry Magovern
In July 2007, Bruce Springsteen's long-time assistant, Terry Magovern, died.
October 2007: Release of 'Magic' and Tour Announcement
In October 2007, Bruce Springsteen released "Magic", recorded with the E Street Band, and announced the Magic Tour. The album included a hidden track, "Terry's Song", a tribute to Terry Magovern.
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, advocating for truth, transparency, and integrity in government.
2008: Death of Danny Federici
In 2008, longtime E Street Band member Danny Federici 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, debuting the song "Working on a Dream" at a rally.
January 11, 2009: Golden Globe Award for "The Wrestler"
On January 11, 2009, Bruce Springsteen won the Golden Globe Award for Best Song for "The Wrestler", which he supplied to the Darren Aronofsky film for free.
January 2009: Release of 'Working on a Dream'
In late January 2009, Bruce Springsteen released "Working on a Dream", dedicated to Danny Federici.
January 18, 2009: Performance at Obama Inaugural Celebration
On January 18, 2009, Bruce Springsteen performed "The Rising" and "This Land Is Your Land" with Pete Seeger at the Obama Inaugural Celebration.
February 1, 2009: Super Bowl XLIII Halftime Performance
On February 1, 2009, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at the halftime show at Super Bowl XLIII, featuring renditions of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", "Born to Run", "Working on a Dream", and "Glory Days".
November 2009: End of Working on a Dream Tour
The Working on a Dream Tour, supporting the "Working on a Dream" album, concluded in November 2009. The tour included five final shows at Giants Stadium.
December 6, 2009: Kennedy Center Honors
On December 6, 2009, Bruce Springsteen received the Kennedy Center Honors, with tributes from various musicians.
2009: Wrecking Ball album sales
Bruce Springsteen's "Wrecking Ball" became Springsteen's tenth No. 1 album in the U.S. tying him with Elvis Presley for third most No. 1 albums of all time, behind the Beatles (19) and Jay Z (12) as of 2009.
2009: Springsteen Supports LGBTQ Rights
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen posted a statement on his website in support of LGBTQ rights and gay marriage, agreeing with Governor Corzine's view that marriage equality is a civil rights issue.
2009: Kennedy Center Honors
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen received the Kennedy Center Honors, recognizing his contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
2010: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked Bruce Springsteen 23rd on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", recognizing him as "the embodiment of rock and roll".
June 18, 2011: Death of Clarence Clemons
On June 18, 2011, Clarence Clemons, the E Street Band's saxophonist, died from complications of a stroke.
March 2012: Release of 'Wrecking Ball'
In March 2012, Bruce Springsteen released his 17th studio album, "Wrecking Ball".
July 31, 2012: Longest Concert Performance
On July 31, 2012, Bruce Springsteen performed his longest concert in Helsinki, Finland, lasting four hours and six minutes with 33 songs.
2012: Springsteen Campaigns for Obama's Re-election
Despite initially saying he would sit out the 2012 presidential election, Bruce Springsteen campaigned for Barack Obama's re-election in Ohio, Iowa, Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Wisconsin.
2012: Campaigning for Barack 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 the Four 2012 ad campaign for gay marriage, urging people to support equal treatment for gay and lesbian individuals.
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: Billboard Touring Awards and Grammy Nominations for Wrecking Ball
In 2012, The Wrecking Ball Tour was named Top Draw by the Billboard Touring Awards. Bruce Springsteen finished second to Madonna as the top money maker of 2012, with $33.44 million. The Wrecking Ball album, along with the single "We Take Care of Our Own", was nominated for three Grammy Awards.
2012: Van Zandt comments on Springsteen's drug-free life
In 2012, Van Zandt stated that Bruce Springsteen is the only person he knows who has never done drugs.
2012: "We Take Care of Our Own" as Theme Song
In 2012, as Obama had before him, Joe Biden used Bruce Springsteen's "We Take Care of Our Own" as one of his theme songs during the election.
July 2013: Release of "Springsteen & I" Documentary
In late July 2013, the documentary "Springsteen & I", directed by Baillie Walsh and produced by Ridley Scott, was released worldwide.
2013: MusiCares Person of the Year
In 2013, Bruce Springsteen was named MusiCares Person of the Year, an honor acknowledging his artistic achievements and philanthropic efforts.
January 2014: Release of 'High Hopes'
In January 2014, Bruce Springsteen released his eighteenth studio album, "High Hopes", featuring a newly recorded version of the song "High Hopes".
August 2014: Jessica Springsteen's Show-Jumping Debut with Team USA
In August 2014, Jessica Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen's daughter, made her show-jumping debut with Team USA.
August 6, 2015: Performance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
On August 6, 2015, Bruce Springsteen performed "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "Born to Run" on the final episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
November 2015: Performance at Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America
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.
December 4, 2015: Release of The Ties That Bind: The River Collection
On October 16, 2015, Bruce Springsteen announced the release of "The Ties That Bind: The River Collection" box set, which was released on December 4, 2015. It contains four CDs (including many previously unreleased songs) and three DVDs (or Blu-ray) along with a 148-page coffee table book.
December 19, 2015: Saturday Night Live Appearance
On December 19, 2015, Bruce Springsteen made his first appearance on Saturday Night Live since 2002, performing "Meet Me in the City", "The Ties That Bind", and "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town".
January 2016: The River Tour 2016 Begins
In January 2016, Bruce Springsteen began The River Tour 2016 in support of "The Ties That Bind: The River Collection" box set. The first leg of shows included a performance of the entire "The River" album.
April 2016: Springsteen Cancels Show to Protest "Bathroom Law"
In April 2016, Bruce Springsteen canceled a show in Greensboro, North Carolina, to protest the state's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, which dictated restroom usage for transgender individuals and restricted LGBTQ citizens' rights.
April 2016: Boycott of North Carolina's Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill
In April 2016, Bruce Springsteen was one of the first artists to boycott North Carolina's anti-transgender bathroom bill.
September 7, 2016: Longest U.S. Show
On September 7, 2016, Bruce Springsteen performed his longest show in the United States, lasting four hours and four minutes, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
September 2016: Release of 'Chapter and Verse' and 'Born to Run' Autobiography
In September 2016, Bruce Springsteen released "Chapter and Verse", a compilation from throughout his career, and his autobiography, "Born to Run", which became a New York Times Best Seller.
2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2016, Bruce Springsteen was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, recognizing his significant contributions to the United States.
2016: Springsteen discusses religion in autobiography
In his 2016 autobiography Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen discussed his personal relationship with Jesus and his complicated feelings about his lapsed Catholicism.
2016: Top-Grossing Worldwide Tour
The River Tour 2016 was the top-grossing worldwide tour of 2016, grossing $268.3 million globally.
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 and expressing solidarity against hate and division.
2017: Springsteen admits to evading taxes
In a 2017 interview with Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen admitted that he evaded taxes early in his career, which he then had to pay back after gaining more fame.
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".
2019: Consequence article on Springsteen's health routine
A 2019 Consequence article celebrating Bruce Springsteen's 70th birthday revealed that he still maintains his routine of a mostly vegetarian diet, running on a treadmill, and lifting weights.
June 2020: Springsteen Calls Trump a Threat
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 by author Don Winslow critical of Donald Trump.
May 2021: Woody Guthrie Prize
In May 2021, Bruce Springsteen was awarded the Woody Guthrie Prize, an honor bestowed upon an artist who advocates for social justice and embodies the spirit of the folk singer.
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.
March 2023: 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, the ceremony having been postponed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2023: Springsteen Postpones Concerts Due to Health
In September 2023, Bruce Springsteen announced the postponement of all his US concerts beginning that month and through December, due to his ongoing treatment for peptic ulcer disease.
March 2024: Announcement as 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: Academy Fellow
In May 2024, Bruce Springsteen was named an Academy Fellow by The Ivors Academy.
May 23, 2024: Induction 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.
2024: Trump Calls for Investigation
In 2024, Donald Trump called for a major investigation into Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah, and other celebrities for their endorsement of Kamala Harris, alleging illegal payments to support her 2024 presidential campaign.
2024: Springsteen's Net Worth Estimated
In 2024, Forbes "conservatively" estimated Bruce Springsteen's net worth at US$1.1 billion.
October 18, 2025: Legacy Award
On October 18, 2025, Bruce Springsteen received the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures inaugural Legacy Award for inspiring generations of storytellers and deeply influencing our culture.
November 3, 2025: Induction Into the Library Lions
On November 3, 2025, Bruce Springsteen was inducted Into the 2025 class of Library Lions by the New York Public Library.
January 17, 2026: Springsteen Dedicates Song to Renée Good
On January 17, 2026, Bruce Springsteen dedicated the song "The Promised Land" to Renée Good, who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minnesota that month, during a performance at the Light of Day Winterfest in New Jersey.
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