How Bruce Springsteen Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Bruce Springsteen—a timeline of influence.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1974: Jon Landau "saw rock and roll future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen."

In 1974, music critic Jon Landau, after witnessing Bruce Springsteen's performance at the Harvard Square Theater, famously declared that he had "seen rock and roll future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen".

1995: Springsteen Addresses Relationship Criticism

In a 1995 interview with The Advocate, Bruce Springsteen addressed the negative publicity he and Patti Scialfa received regarding their relationship and his divorce from Julianne Phillips, expressing his belief that people shouldn't dictate whom others should love and admitting he didn't protect Juli by making a public announcement about the separation and new relationship.

1999: Induction into Songwriters 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.

2003: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

In 2003, Rolling Stone included several Bruce Springsteen albums in their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, including Born to Run (18), Born in the U.S.A. (85), The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (132), Darkness on the Edge of Town (151), Nebraska (224), The River (250), Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (379), and Tunnel of Love (475).

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2004: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

In 2004, Rolling Stone included "Born to Run" (21), "Thunder Road" (86), and "Born in the U.S.A." (275) in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

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December 6, 2009: Kennedy Center Honors

On December 6, 2009, Bruce Springsteen received the Kennedy Center Honors. President Obama gave a speech in which he asserted that Springsteen had incorporated the lives of regular Americans into his expansive palette of songs. The event included musical tributes from various artists.

2009: Kennedy Center Honors

In 2009, Bruce Springsteen received the Kennedy Center Honors.

2010: Springsteen Ranked in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists

In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked Bruce Springsteen 23rd on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", describing 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 and founding member, died of complications from a stroke.

2013: MusiCares Person of the Year

In 2013, Bruce Springsteen was named MusiCares person of the year.

2013: Publication of "Rocking the Wall"

In 2013, Erik Kirschbaum published "Rocking the Wall. Bruce Springsteen: The Berlin Concert That Changed the World", highlighting the significance of Bruce Springsteen's 1988 concert in East Germany.

Rocking The Wall: Bruce Springsteen: The Berlin Concert That Changed the World. The Untold Story How the Boss Played Behind the Iron Curtain

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2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2016, Bruce Springsteen was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

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.

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May 2021: Woody Guthrie Prize

In May 2021, Bruce Springsteen became the eighth recipient of the Woody Guthrie Prize, which honors an artist who speaks out for social justice.

March 2023: Awarded the 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 delayed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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: Named as Academy Fellow

In May 2024, it was announced in March that Bruce Springsteen would be named an Academy Fellow by The Ivors Academy.

May 23, 2024: Inducted into The Ivors Academy

On May 23, 2024, Bruce Springsteen became the first international songwriter that The Ivors Academy has inducted into the Fellowship in its 80-year history.