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| * Clarence Clemons - saxophone, percussion, backing vocals, larger-than-life persona and Springsteen foil| * 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.) |
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