It was the album that made people really take notice. The legendary week at the Bottom Line was the big push that got it started as well. 10 shows and Bruce and the band left blood on the stage every show. One of my regrets was not going to those shows and then hearing how Bruce just went all out. This was do or die.
@@michaelbrickley2443 …..I truly was that. On Friday night concert I can remember 3 encores and leaving after 1:00 AM. Audience more tired than him, but an incredible show. This was the late 70’s.
Born to Run saved him from being dropped by the label, but the guys in the band will tell you that E Street cover bands were making more than the guys in the E Street Band prior to The River. Darkness came out almost three years after Born to Run and they were broke after the lawsuit with Mike Appel and nearly disbanded.
Rocked the hell outta Tulsa, 3 solid hours. The set lists are a little different in every city, but they are playing 27 each show, with so much to choose from you can't go wrong! Strap on a catheter because there are NO breaks! :D
I find it interesting that Steve doesn't think he had made it big until 1980 with the "River". I started listening to Bruce and the Boys back in 1973 with "Greetings" but thought they had hit it big bt 1975 with "Born to Run". Got to see them on the Born to Run tour at the old Ambassador theater in St. Lous, a really nice small venue that was great for live music.
In Bruce's autobiography "Born to Run" he tells about how slanted the profits were towards the record company and his manager on his early deals, that he couldn't even get completely out of debt until the "Born in the USA" album phenom. It's a real tribute to how tight Bruce and the band are that they have stayed together (on and off) through all of those hard years. But looking back on the music and the accomplishments, I don't think anyone can say it wasn't worth it.
I had the pleasure and thrill of being at a talk and a book signing he did in Bath, here in the UK. He sat with his chair back to front then..! The event was held in a church, of all places. He was given a standing ovation when he arrived and again when he left. It was a brilliant day. Got tickets to see Bruce and the band in Hyde Park this July. Can't wait.....
To each their own. I’m not a Bruce o phile as much as a fan of certain albums, songs. Born to Run exploded, in my opinion, across the bow of my life. He had previously released albums that had good songs but this was Bruce scratching the itch and getting relief. Born to Run is one of the greatest, in my opinion. Of course, there are always differences and that’s ok. He’s one of those artists, much like the Stones, who take the music of the past and bring it forward, changing it into something old and new, at the same time. Shalom
James Campbell, it appears you’re in good company here. Much like Exile, it is acclaimed by many as his greatest work. I just went over the history and reception, tracks on the LP, and can certainly agree it’s representative of the best he had to offer. Shalom
My favorite. A song like Something In The Night would be many bands greatest achievement. Darkness is one beautiful song after another. Only regret, he didn’t include The Promise. That song literally was the segue from BTR to Darkness
While Bruce was mostly playing the Jersey shore at the time, he broke into the NYC music scene with Born to Run. The local station, WNEW-FM broadcast his show from a tiny village club called the Bottomline and I was instantly hooked. Still, if I had to pick any of his albums as his masterpiece, I'd say The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle.
Way back when I was playing in dance bands, I was very pleased when dancers took up a collection to get us to play an extra half hour. We all measure success in a different way.😊
Myself and some coworkers were having a pre-Christmas party and listening to "Hungry Heart" on the radio (KENO-Las Vegas) when the DJ stopped it mid-chorus to inform us John Lennon had been murdered. We spent the rest of the evening quietly listening as the station played John's new album, other songs from his solo career, and most of the Beatles' catalogue.
@@charlie-obrien I think Steve believes “The River” is the album that he had the most input in production-wise, and “Fade Away” has one of his greatest recorded vocals.
Monte Melnick, the Ramones manager, tells the story that when Bruce went backstage to see the Ramones after a gig to tell them how much he enjoyed the show, Joey said "Hey, you wrote a song for Patti Smith. Why don't you write a song for us?" So he did-"Hungry Heart." But Bruce's manager, Jon Landau, liked the song so much he wouldn't let Bruce give it to the Ramones.
WMMS, the Cleveland Agora & Cleveland rock fans were also a very big help in breaking out Bruce Springsteen in his music career. Just saying... +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friends+ 🤘😜🤘
Saw Bruce on River Tout at theater in November, then again at arena in January. Same city. The audience was very different. Hungry Heart was released between show and John Lennon was murdered.
"Born to Run wasn't the big hit everyone thought it was...". Wow! And yet I can see the point he is making. I bought "Born to Run" back in the 70s. But not everyone in the high school scene was into that. And yet, I can remember the explosion of the 1980s and the arena-rock scene. I can see what he's talking about. 15 yrs of grinding their way slowly to those heights. That's saying something.
I recall in High School in the 70's that groups like Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult and Pink Floyd ruled the day (or maybe I'm just remembering the T-shirts) and if you were a Bruce fan in my hometown you wouldn't hear anything played on the radio until after 9pm for some reason. One station, though would play full album sides on Sunday nights and either side 1 or 2 of BTR would be featured pretty regularly.
I’m sure Steve’s made plenty of money, but he did call walking away and not being part of Born In The USA was a financial apocalypse he’d never recover from. Interesting guy. Amazing life. Imagine being Bruce Springsteen and Tony Sopranos right hand man.
‘79… he turned 30 years old during the shows… he saw his ex gf, Lynn Goldsmith taking photo’s after she told him she wouldn’t. Bruce got po’d & flung his Birthday cake into the crowd & grabbed Goldsmith and had her 86’d from the show.
So Billy Joel was far bigger then Bruce before 1980 -- he had The Stranger started doing arenas 1977, then 52nd Street more arenas then by 1980 Glass Houses more arenas -- so Billy already had three years of super success under his belt before Hungry Heart in 1980 -- wow --
I've been a fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band since their first album My hero worship of Bruce was knocked down many notches when he accepted induction into the R&RHOF WITHOUT !! his band " Blood brothers on a winter's night with a vow to defend ? Maybe no longer true
@@mikewhite4560 Mike, I see your replies and little snipes all over this comment section and I think you have an agenda that really has nothing to do with the price of a ticket.
To me The River is the best time in his career The songs were still cars and girls and the muscle look hadn't come yet. Born in the USA was built on leftover songs from The River.
Back in the day it was John Kay and Steppenwolf. Imagine cruising in the 70's with the window down and the radio blaring "Born to be WILD". Wich I believe evolved into BTR. Time to induct John Kay into rock and roll hall of Fame.
Good listening to him, back in the day there was no such thing as an "overnight success" you had to serve you're apprenticeship and learn your craft. Now it's just a spotty kid with a computer in his moms basement messing with samples etc, I swear most of them wouldn't know guitar from a bassoon!
I provided Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt with lyrics that help make them successful. They promised to pay me if they used the lyrics depending on how good they were. I live in Glen Ellen California. Bruce and Steven please pay me the money you owe me for the lyrics I provided you. Keep the promise.
The irony is that the first four albums are, by far, the best that Springsteen and the E Street Band did. The songs on the "The River" are fluff compared to those four early albums.
Hungry Heart isn’t even one of their great songs really. Greeting from Asbury Park, Born to Run and Darkness on the edge of Town are all great albums. Great.
Steve van zant - too afraid to speak out against the injustices perpetrated against the Palestinian people for fear of losing his career. Springsteen the same.
@@Mike-bp2hh For evil to exist, good men do nothing. If more people like Roger Waters had the decency to speak out, this brutal tyranny of the Palestinian people would have ended decades ago, If what you said works for you - then all you need do is live on your knees.
@@Marius_vanderLubbe Jews get a free pass on anything they do, all they have to do is mention Holocaust. Do you honestly believe there's going to be a peaceful solution? If you think they're ever going to coexist next to each other you're very naive
@@Marius_vanderLubbe I got my own problems I can't worry about those bozos halfway around the world. How can you fix two groups who hate each other that much
As great a singer/songwriter, working man’s artist, hardest worker and deserves all the accolades.….but he really blew it getting so political. Apolitical would have served him greatly. A great musician doesn’t necessarily translate to knowing how to solve the country’s problems. His Star rose so much no one is willing to tell him he’s dead wrong on certain things.
So you're saying he was great until you fell for the golfing grifter's scam at motel Mar-a-Lago........ Stop feeding your children, don't pay your mortgage. Send ALL YOUR MONEY to the billionaire tangerine 🍊 Tyrant!! MAGA666
@@tomcostello8220 ….Ha!! Ha!! Donald Trump had this country running like a Swiss watch. Now…we have a runaway train to Venezuela. If you don’t notice a difference between the country now versus 4 years ago…you have been drinking the celebrity Koolaid too long.
I'm sorry, but I never even heard of Springsteen...I mean it was an East coast thing in a West coast world. Didn't even register. When I did hear his "music" I just shrugged it off, just like everyone else I knew. I just thought it kinda sucked . Still do.
I think MTV had allot to do with Bruce's success...I think Bruce was big in NJ, but I don't remember any huge concerts with Bruce headlining.I don't remember anyone from high school even talking about Bruce Springsteen or having any great songs showing up in any movies. He just wasn't commercial savvy.
Love Bruce Steve and the East Street Band! Also would love to see Steve do more acting, especially enjoyed Lilyhammer. 👍👍
Love his work in The Sopranos and his musical taste.
Then you should definitely check "Lilyhammer".
And, here, I always thought "Born to Run" *WAS* their breakthrough! Such an iconic album, cover and everything!
It was the album that made people really take notice. The legendary week at the Bottom Line was the big push that got it started as well. 10 shows and Bruce and the band left blood on the stage every show. One of my regrets was not going to those shows and then hearing how Bruce just went all out. This was do or die.
@@michaelbrickley2443 …..I truly was that. On Friday night concert I can remember 3 encores and leaving after 1:00 AM. Audience more tired than him, but an incredible show. This was the late 70’s.
Born to Run saved him from being dropped by the label, but the guys in the band will tell you that E Street cover bands were making more than the guys in the E Street Band prior to The River. Darkness came out almost three years after Born to Run and they were broke after the lawsuit with Mike Appel and nearly disbanded.
@@ynotttt thanks for sharing. Must have been incredible
Me too!!
Steve just sounds like a pleasant and great guy.
Fade Away. What a song.
One of the Professor's greatest Hammond organ solos and with Stevie's acoustic, it really sets an atmosphere.
And then that fade out to close....
Can’t wait to see the greatest backing band in the business take the stage at Penn State in a just a few weeks!
Either can I
Don't have penn state but wish I did
@@lisaevan4236 prices are slowly starting to drop. Give it another week or so you may be able to get a good deal
Rocked the hell outta Tulsa, 3 solid hours. The set lists are a little different in every city, but they are playing 27 each show, with so much to choose from you can't go wrong! Strap on a catheter because there are NO breaks! :D
Been checking the set lists. Noticed that “No Surrender” is a pretty consistent opener. Which just so happens to be my favorite BS song!
I find it interesting that Steve doesn't think he had made it big until 1980 with the "River". I started listening to Bruce and the Boys back in 1973 with "Greetings" but thought they had hit it big bt 1975 with "Born to Run". Got to see them on the Born to Run tour at the old Ambassador theater in St. Lous, a really nice small venue that was great for live music.
In Bruce's autobiography "Born to Run" he tells about how slanted the profits were towards the record company and his manager on his early deals, that he couldn't even get completely out of debt until the "Born in the USA" album phenom. It's a real tribute to how tight Bruce and the band are that they have stayed together (on and off) through all of those hard years.
But looking back on the music and the accomplishments, I don't think anyone can say it wasn't worth it.
Born to Run is a wonderful album and loved by the critics but it didn’t make Bruce a superstar - and filthy rich.
I still have my Hungry Heart vinyl single, its still my favourite song by him
Had the pleasure of seeing him and Bruce live in Dublin 1984ish and again 30 years later in Johannesburg.
I had the pleasure and thrill of being at a talk and a book signing he did in Bath, here in the UK. He sat with his chair back to front then..! The event was held in a church, of all places. He was given a standing ovation when he arrived and again when he left. It was a brilliant day. Got tickets to see Bruce and the band in Hyde Park this July. Can't wait.....
Their 4th album "Darkness on the Edge of Town" is much underrated. Often times a bands best stuff isn't what gets played on the "radio".
imho, their best album.
To each their own. I’m not a Bruce o phile as much as a fan of certain albums, songs. Born to Run exploded, in my opinion, across the bow of my life. He had previously released albums that had good songs but this was Bruce scratching the itch and getting relief. Born to Run is one of the greatest, in my opinion. Of course, there are always differences and that’s ok. He’s one of those artists, much like the Stones, who take the music of the past and bring it forward, changing it into something old and new, at the same time. Shalom
James Campbell, it appears you’re in good company here. Much like Exile, it is acclaimed by many as his greatest work. I just went over the history and reception, tracks on the LP, and can certainly agree it’s representative of the best he had to offer. Shalom
My favorite. A song like Something In The Night would be many bands greatest achievement. Darkness is one beautiful song after another. Only regret, he didn’t include The Promise. That song literally was the segue from BTR to Darkness
I think that is their best album.
While Bruce was mostly playing the Jersey shore at the time, he broke into the NYC music scene with Born to Run. The local station, WNEW-FM broadcast his show from a tiny village club called the Bottomline and I was instantly hooked. Still, if I had to pick any of his albums as his masterpiece, I'd say The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle.
Way back when I was playing in dance bands, I was very pleased when dancers took up a collection to get us to play an extra half hour. We all measure success in a different way.😊
Myself and some coworkers were having a pre-Christmas party and listening to "Hungry Heart" on the radio (KENO-Las Vegas) when the DJ stopped it mid-chorus to inform us John Lennon had been murdered.
We spent the rest of the evening quietly listening as the station played John's new album, other songs from his solo career, and most of the Beatles' catalogue.
Ask Stevie what his favorite E Street song is and he will always say that it changes from day to day, and then he will always say “Fade Away.”
"Fade Away" is something special.
@@charlie-obrien I think Steve believes “The River” is the album that he had the most input in production-wise, and “Fade Away” has one of his greatest recorded vocals.
Miami steve-great humility,nice guy👍
Monte Melnick, the Ramones manager, tells the story that when Bruce went backstage to see the Ramones after a gig to tell them how much he enjoyed the show, Joey said "Hey, you wrote a song for Patti Smith. Why don't you write a song for us?" So he did-"Hungry Heart." But Bruce's manager, Jon Landau, liked the song so much he wouldn't let Bruce give it to the Ramones.
Can you imagine the Ramones doing Hungry Heart?
@@alexcampbell3032 Saw the Ramones back in the '80s ....one, two, three, four.
@@ronfriedman8740 Brilliant. 👍💥
Born to run was massive in Pittsburgh Bruce the played the arena here in 76, 77
I knew Sil was a musician in real life but didn't realize he was in Springsteen's band. Love his character on sopranos
The 1st 4 albums were underrated....but not any more!!!!!!! they are all great, always
"Born to Run" was very big in Cleveland when it was released.
I remember that well. Every Friday at 6pm w/Murray Saul on WMMS. Sweet memories!
WMMS, the Cleveland Agora & Cleveland rock fans were also a very big help in breaking out Bruce Springsteen in his music career. Just saying... +Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friends+ 🤘😜🤘
Awesome thanks 👍
In 1975 Born to Run got him on the cover of Time and Newsweek magazines, which was a really big deal at the time. I'd say that was the breakthrough.
Steven's radio station the underground garage is awesome I just wanna mention that
It's crazy to think that this amazing musician is Silvio too!!
Silvio Dante: "Make peace or make him disappear."
It's funny, my first learning of this guy was watching lilyhammer and I'm 49 years old. He's great on the show.
Born to Run was huge, I can’t believe he says it wasn’t that big.
Saw Bruce on River Tout at theater in November, then again at arena in January. Same city. The audience was very different. Hungry Heart was released between show and John Lennon was murdered.
Are you paying your TICKET off in INSTALLMENTS?
There, right there, is my favorite guitar player of all time ))
I love the River Album ❤
"Born to Run wasn't the big hit everyone thought it was...". Wow! And yet I can see the point he is making. I bought "Born to Run" back in the 70s. But not everyone in the high school scene was into that. And yet, I can remember the explosion of the 1980s and the arena-rock scene. I can see what he's talking about. 15 yrs of grinding their way slowly to those heights. That's saying something.
I recall in High School in the 70's that groups like Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult and Pink Floyd ruled the day (or maybe I'm just remembering the T-shirts) and if you were a Bruce fan in my hometown you wouldn't hear anything played on the radio until after 9pm for some reason.
One station, though would play full album sides on Sunday nights and either side 1 or 2 of BTR would be featured pretty regularly.
I’m betting Dan Rather had no clue about what Fade Away even sounds like
Not a bad comment
I'm pretty sure he does. He's pretty knowledgeable about music.
And besides that it's a standout song that stays with you.
@@charlie-obrien it’s a pretty deep cut unless your a big Bruce fan, you’d never know Fade Away. I don’t know if Dan Rather is an aficionado.
If you are old enough to know, Dan Rather was a big Springsteen fan, going back to the '80's.
Easy now, Dan is a metal head!
The sopranos soundtracks have a lot to do with Stevens connection and musical taste!👌
He’s was as huge as Bruce early on , and folks Lilyhammer is outstanding .
He made a song called Bitter Fruit, which was a minor hit. Had he given that song to Springsteen, it would`ve been a massive hit !!!!!!!
best band ever
But then Steve left before the Born in the USA tour.I am never looked into why but guess there’s a few theories out there .😮
The Boss
Of TICKETMASTER?
read that Bruce ran into Joey Ramone and Joey said hey write us a song: this is the song he wrote.
I’m sure Steve’s made plenty of money, but he did call walking away and not being part of Born In The USA was a financial apocalypse he’d never recover from. Interesting guy. Amazing life. Imagine being Bruce Springsteen and Tony Sopranos right hand man.
Not.only the guy played in the sopranos...
He is in fact of italian ancestry....before being van zandt he had an italian name... look in wikipedia...
My favourite car song.
When was this interview?
Who remembers NO NUKES shows? He was big then. What year was that?
‘78
‘79… he turned 30 years old during the shows… he saw his ex gf, Lynn Goldsmith taking photo’s after she told him she wouldn’t. Bruce got po’d & flung his Birthday cake into the crowd & grabbed Goldsmith and had her 86’d from the show.
So Billy Joel was far bigger then Bruce before 1980 -- he had The Stranger started doing arenas 1977, then 52nd Street more arenas then by 1980 Glass Houses more arenas -- so Billy already had three years of super success under his belt before Hungry Heart in 1980 -- wow --
I've been a fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band since their first album
My hero worship of Bruce was knocked down many notches when he accepted induction into the R&RHOF WITHOUT !! his band
" Blood brothers on a winter's night with a vow to defend ?
Maybe no longer true
Yeah, I could AFFORD TICKETS THEN....
@@mikewhite4560
Mike, I see your replies and little snipes all over this comment section and I think you have an agenda that really has nothing to do with the price of a ticket.
@@charlie-obrien Thanks for Sharing. BTW, my BACKSTREETS magazine Subscrition has been Canceled.
I call out H Y P O C R I S Y. YOU?
Oh darlin,I dont wants FadE AwaY!What can I do or SaY!Love that song!HungrY 4 MorE,nah!Take care,nah Jcs
To me The River is the best time in his career
The songs were still cars and girls and the muscle look hadn't come yet. Born in the USA was built on leftover songs from The River.
Back in the day it was John Kay and Steppenwolf.
Imagine cruising in the 70's with the window down and the radio blaring
"Born to be WILD". Wich I believe evolved into BTR.
Time to induct John Kay into rock and roll hall of Fame.
I love the comments I thought they were always big😂
Dan Rather, stallion
🤘
It's interesting, Billy Joel had a similar experience with his first 5 albums
Darkness on the edge of town was there best album
Steve looks like one of the guys in the Sopranos
1978 was big
Good listening to him, back in the day there was no such thing as an "overnight success" you had to serve you're apprenticeship and learn your craft. Now it's just a spotty kid with a computer in his moms basement messing with samples etc, I swear most of them wouldn't know guitar from a bassoon!
I provided Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt with lyrics that help make them successful. They promised to pay me if they used the lyrics depending on how good they were. I live in Glen Ellen California.
Bruce and Steven please pay me the money you owe me for the lyrics I provided you. Keep the promise.
☑️
But did he know when it was Big Tony’s Time ??
I always thought "Born to Run" WAS their breakthrough too! It was for me!
😢 I'm still waiting he postponed the Columbus so I don't know when I get to see him but it will be rememberable I know that.❤
Well in the Cleveland area BS & ESB were very big after the Born to Run album....
Yes, C'land was a leading edge rock town in those days. At least in art due to WMMS. Good times!
The irony is that the first four albums are, by far, the best that Springsteen and the E Street Band did. The songs on the "The River" are fluff compared to those four early albums.
😂.. his lyrics clearly point to his beliefs. Always have.
Silvio
Sylvio Dante
Really? Hitting the cover of TIME magazine (1975) is not “breaking through”?
Dan Rathet has no clue about Fade Away
Hungry Heart isn’t even one of their great songs really.
Greeting from Asbury Park, Born to Run and Darkness on the edge of Town are all great albums.
Great.
Bring back Lillehammer.
he sold out the spectrum in 1976, two days in a row. and will always sell out in philadelphia,
Even with $4500 TICKET PRICES....The Common Man....LOL
Lillyhammer
He'd already quit before they made it.
and he only got better on the Sopranos.
Hungry Heart is one of my least favorite Springsteen song. I guess you never know what's gonna stick with people.
Dan looks about as clueless as he’s always been
What's with the do rag????Bald????
VZ was in a severe car accident. He has a scar or misshapen skull as a result.
What an offensive question
What an ignorant question.
Fool says, What?
Puppet show
Not a fan of the Ole Draft Dodger
Steve van zant - too afraid to speak out against the injustices perpetrated against the Palestinian people for fear of losing his career. Springsteen the same.
That's a plenty good reason. Besides anybody with a brain knows what's going on, a comment by a Rockstar isn't going to change anything
@@Mike-bp2hh For evil to exist, good men do nothing. If more people like Roger Waters had the decency to speak out, this brutal tyranny of the Palestinian people would have ended decades ago, If what you said works for you - then all you need do is live on your knees.
@@Marius_vanderLubbe Jews get a free pass on anything they do, all they have to do is mention Holocaust. Do you honestly believe there's going to be a peaceful solution? If you think they're ever going to coexist next to each other you're very naive
@@Marius_vanderLubbe I got my own problems I can't worry about those bozos halfway around the world. How can you fix two groups who hate each other that much
@@Marius_vanderLubbe Bruce Springsteen has done more for social justice than you will ever do
Is this dude completely bald ?
Too bad Springsteen put his band asleep with his asinine political views and ignorant misinformed comments in the latter years.
Wow. You sound triggered.
You must be one of those "woke" people who hate everything they don't agree with.
As great a singer/songwriter, working man’s artist, hardest worker and deserves all the accolades.….but he really blew it getting so political. Apolitical would have served him greatly. A great musician doesn’t necessarily translate to knowing how to solve the country’s problems. His Star rose so much no one is willing to tell him he’s dead wrong on certain things.
So you're saying he was great until you fell for the golfing grifter's scam at motel Mar-a-Lago........ Stop feeding your children, don't pay your mortgage. Send ALL YOUR MONEY to the billionaire tangerine 🍊 Tyrant!!
MAGA666
@@tomcostello8220 ….Ha!! Ha!! Donald Trump had this country running like a Swiss watch. Now…we have a runaway train to Venezuela. If you don’t notice a difference between the country now versus 4 years ago…you have been drinking the celebrity Koolaid too long.
@@ynotttt oh please are you for real
I'm sorry, but I never even heard of Springsteen...I mean it was an East coast thing in a West coast world. Didn't even register. When I did hear his "music" I just shrugged it off, just like everyone else I knew. I just thought it kinda sucked . Still do.
AND THIS IS WHY THEY ARE THE BEST LONG HOURS HARD WORK IT ALWAYS PAYS OFF IN THE END These modern so called artists just dont get it !!
I think MTV had allot to do with Bruce's success...I think Bruce was big in NJ, but I don't remember any huge concerts with Bruce headlining.I don't remember anyone from high school even talking about Bruce Springsteen or having any great songs showing up in any movies. He just wasn't commercial savvy.
this guns for hire
So how does Steve celebrate? He leaves the band, after the River Tour, for his so-called solo career, which amounted to.....Nothing.
I wouldn't pay a dime to see two flops.