Today Bruce Springsteen turns 60. I think the man deserves a word or two of birthday gratitude, so here goes: Thanks, Boss. Thanks for Darkness on the Edge of Town and The River and Born to Run and Born in the U.S.A. and all the other classic albums too numerous to list here. Thanks for that part at the end of “We Are the World” where you trade lines with Stevie Wonder. Thanks for the best minute of High Fidelity. Most of all, thanks for not giving up — for continuing to make vital music, rock out on stage, and speak out for your principles well after you passed the half-century mark.
I grew up knowing Springsteen’s hits as well as any child of the ’80s, and I remained a casual-to-moderate fan throughout the ’90s, but it was only in college that my girlfriend, a true devotee, helped induct me fully into the Cult of Brooooooce. Lucky for me, that was right when he was hitting his stride with the reunited E Street Band. If Springsteen had retired for good by that point, I would have been stuck combing through his amazing catalog of decades-old material. (Not the worst fate in the world by a long shot.) Instead, he was out there as a middle-aged guy doing some of the best work of his career. I’m happy to say he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon now that he’s hit 60.
Next week, I’ll be seeing Springsteen and the E Street Band live in concert yet again, an experience that never gets old, even if the band’s individual members might. Anyone else planning to attend this tour? ‘Til then, join me in sharing your birthday wishes for Bruce Springsteen in the comments below.
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Bruce Springsteen to play full Born to Run album in concert
Michael Jackson’s new song and album release
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees announced: Kiss, Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J…
Jay-Z tops the albums chart again
Photo credit: Tony Nelson/Retna Ltd
The BOSS stands for Big ‘Ol Sack of S#$t!
So overrated!
Kudos, jack**s. Feel free to discuss how the Beatles are terrible songwriters and Bob Dylan can’t write lyrics in your next awe-inspiring post.
What an insightful comment. Not. The overrated thing never sells to me because he’s been too great and too consistent for too long for it to even matter.
Bruce Springsteen is an amazing performer and he is only getting better with age!!
Happy Birthday to Jersey’s favorite son. Yes, I am from Jersey.
Happy Birthday my Brucee Baby!! Still love you and always will! Have a great day!
Happy Birthday Bruce! you are an amazing performer and I will be a life long fan. After seeing him for the first time in May, I will be seeing him again in November, and as many times as I can in the future. He is and always be the BOSS!!!
Happy Birthday Bruce! I’ve been seeing you in concert since 1977 and I will always see as long as you continue to perform. No one does it better than you – you are the best performer ever! Thanks for all the good times.
Joyeux anniversaire to Bruce, one of the best things to ever come out of the States: talent, integrity, showmanship.
Forget “We Are The World.” I LOVE the part in “Sun City” where Bruce shreds his voice… “We’re STAB-bing our brothers and SISTERS in the back!!”
IT’S BOSS-TIME!!! Happy 60th Boss man. You are and will continue to be a great influence in many of our lives. Thank you for Darkness (most underrated album in history), BTR, Tunnel of Love, Greetings, and too many more to list!!
Happy Birthday Bruce! See you at Giants Stadium Oct 3!
same here! show #6 for me, and they keep getting better! happy birthday boss!!!
Have a very happy birthday, Bruce! My greatest concert experience was at a show in Philadelphia during the “Born in the USA” tour. I was on tbe fifth row in front of an amp, on which Bruce leapt to sing “Promised Land”! WOW!! Love ya, Bruce–keep on rockin’!!
I’ll be at Giants Stadium on Oct 8th – WAY up in the nosebleeds, but worth it! Happy Birthday, Boss.
I’ll be there too. Can’t wait. Bruce ROCKSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
Dayum, I feel old all of a sudden.
I’ve seen Bruce on this tour in Atlanta, Hershey, Pa., and Tampa; plus the Super Bowl. And I’ll see him again in October in St. Louis. Bruce rules.
Wow Bruce springsteen Turning 60?Hes still Rockin.