Since forming in 1972, the band's members have changed; however, core members include saxophonist Clarence Clemons, organist Danny Federici, bassist Garry Tallent, drummer Max Weinberg, pianist Roy Bittan and, of course, guitarist/singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt joined the band while recording Born to Run and made this record at least possible. He became one of the most honored and most influential members.
Other musicians important to the band include guitarist Nils Lofgren (who stepped in after Van Zandt quit); guitarist/singer Patti Scialfa (who is also Springsten's wife); and pianist David Sancious and drummers "Mad Dog" Vini Lopez and Ernest "Boom" Carter, who all had left the band prior to Born to Run. Also, The Rising tour saw the official addition of violinist Soozie Tyrell.
In 1989 the band split up, after the massive success of the Born in the USA tour and the quieter Tunnel of Love tour. However, in 1999, the band reunited and embarked on a rather successful 18-month reunion tour - the "E-United Tour" - and now were powered by three guitars (Springsteen, Van Zandt and Lofgren, with Scialfa usually playing a fourth, acoustic guitar).
Following the events of September 11, 2001, Springsteen and the Band embarked on their first studio recordings (excepting a short recording session for Springsteen's 1995 Greatest Hits album) since 1984's Born in the U.S.A. The band recorded The Rising in 2002, and then hit the road for another marathon, two-year tour.
After The Rising, Springsteen recorded two more albums without the E Streeters followed by "Magic", released in October 2007 and featuring the hit single "Radio Nowhere". Magic was followed up by a traditionally strong tour throughout 2008, during which original band-member and friend Danny Federici passed away. Federici had already been temporarily replaced by Charlie Giordano, with whom Springsteen played the year before during the Seeger Sessions. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rounded the 100-show tour at Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration.
On January 27, 2009 Springsteen's twenty-fourth album "Working on a Dream" will be released. According to the official press release, Working on a Dream was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks. It is the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan O'Brien, who produced and mixed the album. A new tour for 2009 is expected to be announced soon. Springsteen and the E Street Band will play The Super Bowl halftime show on February 1, 2009.
Saturday 27th July 2009 saw Bruce and the E-Streeters played The Glastonbury Festival, England. This was the band's first-ever UK festival performance, a total of 135,000 people watched an epic, two-and-a-half hour headlining set.
Current members
* Bruce Springsteen - lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano
* Garry Tallent - bass guitar, tuba
* Max Weinberg - drums, percussion (joined September 1974)
* Roy Bittan - piano, synthesizer (joined September 1974)
* Steven Van Zandt - lead guitar, mandolin, backing vocals (officially joined July 1975 after playing in previous bands; left in 1984 to go solo; rejoined in early 1995) Steven Van Zandt
* Nils Lofgren - guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals (replaced Steven Van Zandt in June 1984; remained in group after Van Zandt returned)
* Patti Scialfa - backing and duet vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion (joined June 1984; became Springsteen's wife in 1991; they have a daughter and two sons)
* Soozie Tyrell - violin, acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocals (joined 2002, occasional appearances before that)
Former members
* Vinnie 'Mad Dog' Lopez - drums (inception through February 1974, when asked to resign)
* David Sancious - keyboards (June 1973 to August 1974)
* Ernest 'Boom' Carter - drums (February to August 1974)
* Suki Lahav - violin, backing vocals (September 1974 to March 1975)
* Danny Federici - organ, electronic glockenspiel, accordion, other keyboards (on medical leave of absence from late November 2007, temporarily replaced by Charles Giordano) (Danny passed away on April 17, 2008 after a battle with cancer.)
* Clarence Clemons - saxophone, percussion, backing vocals, larger-than-life persona and Springsteen foil (died 2011)
Growin' Up
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I combed my hair till it was just right and commanded the night brigade
I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch
I strolled all alone through a fallout zone and come out with my soul untouched
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Sit down," I stood up
Ooh...growin' up
The flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing
I pushed b-52 and bombed them with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Come down," I threw up
Ooh...growin' up
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere, and you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth, but I got me a nice little place in the stars
And I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd, but when they said, "Pull down," I pulled up
Ooh...growin' up
Ooh...growin' up
The lyrics of "Growin' Up" by Bruce Springsteen are full of metaphors about his coming of age experience. The first stanza describes the singer standing still, appearing confident and put together, but struggling internally. He was prepared for sacrifice and ready to take on the world, but still walked with a limp, possibly signifying his vulnerability. Despite all this, the singer emerges from a catastrophe with his soul intact. The final line of the verse "Ooh...growin' up" is repeated throughout the song and can be seen as a reminder that despite all that has happened, he is still just a kid figuring things out.
The second verse is full of vivid imagery about his refusal to conform, demonstrated by the "flag of piracy" and "sailing with a jukebox graduate." The B-52 he pushes is likely a reference to the bomber aircraft but with a similar design to the guitar model, possibly symbolizing his pushing boundaries with music. He mentions bombing his old high school, meaning that he rejected conformity and followed his own path. The line "I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, 'Come down,' I threw up" signifies his fear of being judged by others but also his determination to remain true to himself.
The final verse takes a more fantastical turn, with the singer taking month-long vacations in the stratosphere and feeling like a "cosmic kid in full costume dress." The line "I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car" is a metaphor for finding enlightenment in unexpected places. Despite all these adventures, the singer ultimately comes back down to earth and finds a place to call home. The final repetition of "Ooh...growin' up" suggests that he's still figuring things out, but he's come a long way.
Line by Line Meaning
I stood stone-like at midnight, suspended in my masquerade
I felt alone and trapped in my own false pretense, unable to express my true self.
I combed my hair till it was just right and commanded the night brigade
I meticulously crafted an image to project to society, but was never fully satisfied with it.
I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch
I was vulnerable to emotional pain and constantly battered by life's hardships, but kept moving forward despite it all.
I strolled all alone through a fallout zone and come out with my soul untouched
I faced difficult situations and environments by myself, but managed to preserve my inner self and remain true to who I am.
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Sit down," I stood up
I felt overshadowed by others and tried to blend in with the crowd, but eventually found the courage to stand out and assert myself.
The flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing
I embraced a rebellious spirit and set my sights on uncharted territory, with no clear destination or plan in mind.
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate, she couldn't sail but she sure could sing
I surrounded myself with unconventional people and unconventional talents, valuing creativity over practicality.
I pushed b-52 and bombed them with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing
I faced opposition from authority figures and chose to express myself through music and art, refusing to back down from my beliefs.
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing
I flaunted conventionality and acted out of rebellion, with no regard for the potential consequences of my actions.
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Come down," I threw up
I found myself intimidated by social expectations and the demand for conformity, often feeling sick to my stomach in response.
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere, and you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I sought escape and release from the stress of everyday life, but found it difficult to fully disengage from reality.
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
I experienced a sense of detachment and lost my connections to things that once mattered to me, feeling like an outsider looking in.
Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth, but I got me a nice little place in the stars
I eventually found grounding and stability in my life, but maintained a sense of wonder and possibility about the future.
And I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car
I discovered a profound truth or meaning in a seemingly mundane or unexpected place, bringing me a sense of clarity and enlightenment.
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd, but when they said, "Pull down," I pulled up
I often felt engulfed or oppressed by the overwhelming nature of society, but was able to rise above it and assert my own voice and identity.
Ooh...growin' up
The challenges and experiences of youth define who we become as adults, shaping our character and worldview.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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