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, known as "the Boss," is a highly influential American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. With 21 studio albums over six decades, often collaborating with the E Street Band, he's a pioneer of heartland rock. His music blends commercially successful rock with socially conscious lyrics reflecting working-class American life. Springsteen is also celebrated for his dynamic and lengthy live performances.

Sections (5)

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

August 1975: "Born to Run" album released

In August 1975, Bruce Springsteen released the album "Born to Run". The album became a breakthrough, catapulting Springsteen to worldwide fame, and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart.

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October 1980: Release of "The River"

In October 1980, Bruce Springsteen released "The River", his fifth album. It became his biggest and fastest-selling album yet, topping the U.S. Billboard chart.

1984: Release of "Born in the U.S.A."

In 1984, Bruce Springsteen released "Born in the U.S.A.", which sold 30 million copies worldwide and became one of the best-selling albums of all time, with seven singles hitting the top ten. The title track was a commentary on the treatment of Vietnam veterans.

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August 10, 1985: Springsteen's albums on UK Albums Chart

From June 15 to 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: Release of Live/1975-85 box set

Near the end of 1986, Bruce Springsteen released the Live/1975–85 box set, which became the first box set to debut at No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and one of the most commercially successful live albums of all time.

1994: Springsteen wins Academy Award 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: Inducted 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.

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

In 2003, Rolling Stone included several Bruce Springsteen albums in their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, 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 listed Bruce Springsteen's songs in their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list: "Born to Run" (21), "Thunder Road" (86), and "Born in the U.S.A." (275).

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2009: Springsteen Receives Kennedy Center Honors

In 2009, Bruce Springsteen received the Kennedy Center Honors.

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", describing him as "the embodiment of rock and roll".

2013: Springsteen Named MusiCares Person of the Year

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

2016: Springsteen Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

May 2021: Springsteen Receives Woody Guthrie Prize

In May 2021, Bruce Springsteen became the eighth recipient of the Woody Guthrie Prize, an award honoring artists who speak out for social justice.

March 2023: Springsteen Awarded 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, after the ceremony was postponed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.