Bruce Springsteen's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Bruce Springsteen. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

August 1975: "Born to Run" Released

In August 1975, Bruce Springsteen released "Born to Run", which became a breakthrough album, propelling him to worldwide fame. The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and was eventually certified seven times platinum in the US.

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October 1980: "The River" Release

In October 1980, Bruce Springsteen released "The River", a 20-track double album, which became his biggest and fastest-selling album. It topped the U.S. Billboard chart and included the single "Hungry Heart", which became his first top ten single.

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1984: "Born in the U.S.A." Release and Impact

In 1984, Bruce Springsteen released "Born in the U.S.A.", which became a massive commercial success, selling 30 million copies worldwide. The title track, a bitter commentary on the treatment of Vietnam veterans, was widely misinterpreted as patriotic but made a significant political impact.

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August 10, 1985: Springsteen's back catalog charted in the UK

On 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.

1986: "Live/1975–85" Released

Near the end of 1986, Bruce Springsteen released "Live/1975–85", a five-record box set which debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. album charts. It became one of the most commercially successful live albums of all time.

1994: Academy Award win 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".

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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.

1999: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1999, Bruce Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Bono, the lead singer of U2.

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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2003: Grammy Awards for The Rising

In 2003, The Rising won the Grammy for Best Rock Album. In addition, "The Rising" won the Grammy for Best Rock Song and for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. At the ceremony, Springsteen performed the Clash's "London Calling" with Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Steven Van Zandt, and Tony Kanal in tribute to Joe Strummer.

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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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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", from the Darren Aronofsky film by the same name. He supplied the song for the film for free.

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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: Reference to Album Ranking

As of 2009, Bruce Springsteen's album, 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 and Jay Z.

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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".

2012: Recognition for Wrecking Ball Tour and Album

In 2012, the Wrecking Ball Tour was named Top Draw by the Billboard Touring Awards. Springsteen finished second only to Madonna as the top money maker of 2012. The Wrecking Ball album was nominated for three Grammy Awards, and Rolling Stone named it the number one album of 2012.

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2013: MusiCares Person of the Year

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

2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

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.