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)
Not Fade Away
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well now you say you've found another man
Who does things to you that I can't
And that no matter what I do it's all over now
Between me and you girl
But I can't believe what you say
No I can't believe what you say
I don't want to fade away
Oh I don't want to fade away
Tell me what can I do what can I say
'Cause darlin' I don't want to fade away
Well now you say that you've made up your mind
It's been such a long, long time since it's been good with us
And that somewhere back along the line you lost your love and
I lost your trust
Now rooms that once were so bright
Are filled with the coming night, oh darlin'
I don't want to fade away
Oh I don't want to fade away
Tell me what can I do what can I say
'Cause darlin' I don't want to fade away
You say it's not easy for you
And that you've been so lonely
While other girls go out doing what they want to do
You say that you miss the nights when we'd go out dancing
The days when you and I walked as two
Well girl, I miss them, too
Oh I swear that I do
Oh girl
Now baby I don't want to be just another useless memory holding you tight
Or just some other ghost out on the street to whom you stop and politely speak
When you pass on by vanishing into the night
Left to vanish into the night
No baby
I don't want to fade away
Oh I don't want to fade away
Tell me what can I do what can I say
'Cause darlin' I don't want to fade away
Oh darlin', I don't want to fade away
No, I don't want to fade away
Tell me what can I do what can I say
'Cause darlin' I don't want to fade away
Don't make me darlin'
I don't want to fade away
Don't make me darlin'
No, I don't want to fade away
I don't want to fade away
I don't want to fade away
The lyrics to Bruce Springsteen's "Fade Away" convey the story of a man who learns that his lover has moved on to someone new. Despite her assertions that their relationship has ended and that there is no hope of reconciliation, the man refuses to believe her and insists that he does not want to "fade away." He reflects on their past, recalling the bright rooms that are now filled with night and the nights when they used to go dancing. He pleads with her, asking her what he can do or say to keep their love alive, and urges her not to consign him to the status of just another "useless memory," consigned to vanishing into the night.
The song addresses the universal theme of failed relationships and the pain of heartbreak. In interviews, Bruce Springsteen has spoken about the inspiration behind the song, citing his own personal experiences with heartbreak and loss as well as the stories of people he knew who had gone through tough breakups. The lyrics offer a raw, emotional portrayal of the anguish experienced by someone facing the end of a relationship they deeply cherish.
Some of the key themes that emerge from the song include the importance of communication and the need for both partners to be invested in maintaining the relationship. Springsteen highlights the dangers of taking one's partner for granted and failing to prioritize maintaining the relationship, as well as the regret and sense of loss that can come when it is too late to make things right.
Overall, "Fade Away" is a poignant and reflective song that captures the range of emotions that can arise when faced with the trauma of lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now you say you've found another man
Who does things to you that I can't
And that no matter what I do it's all over now
Between me and you girl
But I can't believe what you say
No I can't believe what you say
'Cause baby
You're telling me that you found someone new,
Someone who can do things that I can't do.
And that it's all over between me and you,
But I can't believe that to be true.
I don't want to fade away
Oh I don't want to fade away
Tell me what can I do what can I say
'Cause darlin' I don't want to fade away
I don't want our relationship to disappear,
I don't want to be forgotten or brushed away.
Please let me know how I can make it clear,
That losing you is not something I can accept.
Well now you say that you've made up your mind
It's been such a long, long time since it's been good with us
And that somewhere back along the line you lost your love and
I lost your trust
Now rooms that once were so bright
Are filled with the coming night, oh darlin'
You've decided that it's over and done,
It's been a long time since we were really happy.
Sometime in the past, love and trust were replaced with none,
Now all I see is the darkness that's gradually creeping.
You say it's not easy for you
And that you've been so lonely
While other girls go out doing what they want to do
You say that you miss the nights when we'd go out dancing
The days when you and I walked as two
Well girl, I miss them, too
Oh I swear that I do
Oh girl
You're struggling too and feeling alone,
While others seem to be living life as they see.
You say you miss the times we shared and the fun,
And I feel the same way, that much is clear to me.
Now baby I don't want to be just another useless memory holding you tight
Or just some other ghost out on the street to whom you stop and politely speak
When you pass on by vanishing into the night
Left to vanish into the night
No baby
I don't want to just fade away from your life,
To be a distant and forgotten memory or fleeting sight.
I don't want to be a stranger or a ghost,
Left behind when you move on as if all was lost.
Don't make me darlin'
I don't want to fade away
Don't make me darlin'
No, I don't want to fade away
I don't want to fade away
I don't want to fade away
Please don't let this be the end,
I don't want to fade away from you and have to pretend.
Don't make me disappear from your life and heart,
Because without you, I know I'll fall apart.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mcbillygoat !
Bruce does a punk version of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away.” Sublime.
Justin Garman
78 Springsteen is without a doubt the greatest Rock & Roll of all time.
A Franklin
Love his version, put his own little twist on it - classic!
Shannon M
MY. FREAKING. GOD. His guitar sounds so... MASSIVE. It's unbelievable
L G
The best sound of the Esquire was on the 78 tour. Playing out of Fender Bassmans and Petillo pickups.
Mike Durhan
I've noticed a lot of people don't know good talent from bad.
Steve Woolerton
I arrived at the party 10 years too late - and I've seen some great shows but this stuff from around 78 is just fucking mind blowing
Frank McChrystal
yup
Alex.1259
Great film. Bruce and the band kill it on this song
ronald ferreira
this is the best