Author:Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is an American icon and this book, his own story in his own words, lays bare the man behind the songs. The pages are filled with the kind of imagery that fills his lyrics, but at the service of telling his own truth, not that of one of his characters.
From hard working class beginnings in Jersey, Springsteen reveals a man driven to write, play, sing and perform. A man bitten by the rock ‘n’ roll bug who sought to emulate his heroes: Dylan, Hendrix, The Stones, The Beatles, and in the process created the last great Rock ‘n’ Roll band – The E Street Band. He never did a day’s work in a “proper job”. It was music or nothing. Aware of his own limitations he forged a career through sheer force of will, talent and great songs.
He speaks openly of his emotionally distant father (subject and subtext of many of his songs) and, most surprising and revealing, his own battles with depression and emotional unavailability. This was a side of Springsteen I knew nothing about, but he talks about it with great candour. Therapy and medication, as well as the love of a good woman and a stable family life, have helped him through.
The first half of the book is the most fascinating, as Springsteen finds his music, what he wants to say and how he wants to say it. The creation of his band, the legal battles with his first manager and his growing confidence as an artist until the commercial breakthrough of Born in The USA propels him into the superstar stratosphere, it’s all told with honesty and humour.
Springsteen gives great insight into his thought processes with regard to songwriting, the shifts in focus as the years progress, the striving for a voice to reflect the lives of his fans, the blue-collar, working classes that America was built on.
The latter half of the book, once he’s a settled family man does descend into a few chapters of album – tour – album – tour, but then come the losses: his father; E Street keyboard player Danny Federici and, of course, the Big Man himself, Clarence Clemons. Springsteen is 67. It’s an inevitable part of life that his peers start vanishing. These episodes are movingly told, full of love for the departed.
This is a great rock autobiography and the seven years it took to write have paid off handsomely. The story isn’t over, of course. Springsteen continues to make music and tour and looks like he will well into his 70s. But for now, this will do nicely.
Length of Read:Medium
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
The music of The Boss, or anyone interested in rock ‘n’ roll music, its mythology and exponents.
One thing you’ve learned
That there are always things below the surface of any artist. Sometimes surprisingly so. And that Springsteen has written some truly great rock songs.
Am 2/3 of the way thru’. Patti has just joined the band. (With, as yet, no mention of Julianne Phillips)
It is a highly commendable read (and a commendable write), much better than last years tome by one Declan McManus.
I’m at about the same point (no Patti yet though). As is my won’t, I’m listening to this and it’s a lot like listening to a Springsteen album without the music. I didn’t realise how little I actually knew about BS but some of the early repetition and lack of a permanent base made it feel a lot like Kerouac’s ‘On The Road’.
It’s certainly a lot easier to follow than Costello’s book as he largely uses the quaint device of setting things in chronological order!
I’m planning to watch the recent Channel 4 doc and this week’s BBC4 one after I’ve finished the book.
I promised then failed to keep my promise to produce a review of this, the best rock book ever written
I have it in my pile to read as too the Costello tome. I also bought Bruce Thomas’s memoirs too hoping they will give me a different insight into Costello.
Sadly not enough time to read them all – think I might have to follow your footsteps @retropath2.
Best rock book ever written? I really enjoyed Strange Affair the biography of Richard Thompson written by Patrick Humphreys.
My vote for the best rock book ever written still goes to Peter Guralnick’s two-volume biography of Elvis Presley: “Last Train to Memphis” and “Careless Love”. An astonishing piece of work.
Yes, those are astonishingly good books. I must reread.
I must read Careless Love. I read Last Train… many, many years ago and although we have the second part, I’ve got around to reading it.
I enjoyed reading the book, and then read somewhere (this site?) that the audiobook is even better as it’s Springsteen reading.
whoever it was, they were right. I’m finding the audiobook even better.
A very easy and entertaining read – was more interesting than anticipated, especially the sections on his early years and on his struggles with depression in later life.
I have the audio version and am a massive fan, but have been put off by previous lukewarm reviews and not sure I want to commit the time to it.
It’s well worth your time. Very honest, revealing book.
I’ve recently finished the audiobook version.
18 hours of listening, but not a slog apart from a few chapters about 3/4 the way through.
I’m not a fan of his albums, I’ve never bought one in my life and I see no great reason to change that. I’d love to see a live E Street Band show, though. If only I didn’t have to go to some enormodome to do so.
This is an excellent book. Well worth a read/listen.
My favouritemost rock biographies remain the late lamented Deke Leonard’s first two hilariously revelatory efforts, “Rhinos, Winos and Lunatics” and it’s prequel “Maybe I Should’ve Stayed In Bed?”. They are absolute marvels.
Julian Cope’s “Head On/Repossessed” is a very good read too.