Bruce Springsteen has been writing songs about being a working class American for almost 40 years, yet he is one of the country's biggest rock stars. There have been numerous books written about his music, but the man behind the music always remained elusive. In Bruce, however, fans get a personal look at the performer.
Music critic Peter Ames Carlin compiled the biography from hours of interviews with Springsteen's E Street Band, his friends, relatives, exes and even the man himself. This included the last interview given by E Street saxophonist Clarence Clemons before his death. Springsteen gave Carlin access that has never before been available, meaning he is able to add context to many of Springsteen's most popular songs in the book.
The book begins with the death of a little girl in 1927. The five-year-old would have been Springsteen's aunt Virginia. From there, it follows his father's family from Europe to America, and then take the same journey with his mother's family. Bruce doesn't shy away from the difficult or ugly topics, including his father's manic depression or Springsteen's well-known temper, his relationship problems or his infamous behavior toward his band mates.
Springsteen has since won 20 Grammy Awards, sold more than 120 million albums and won two Golden Globes and an Academy Award. The book chronicles his life through the 2012 release of his album Wrecking Ball.
Author Peter A. Carlin is known as a music critic, but he has also written books about several artists including Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys. He has served as a senior writer at People and a feature writer at The Oregonian in Portland, Oregon.
This sweeping biography of Bruce Springsteen features in-depth interviews with family, band members, childhood friends, ex-girlfriends, and a poignant retrospective from the Boss himself. It’s Bruce as his many fans have never seen him—the man behind the myth, describing his life and work in intimate, vivid detail.
For close to four decades, Bruce Springsteen has reflected the heart and soul of America in a career that encompasses twenty Grammy Awards, more than 120 million albums sold, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award. Yet despite the honesty of his songwriting, Springsteen has remained adamantly elusive and reserved.
In a groundbreaking biography that draws on unprecedented access to Springsteen and those closest to him, acclaimed music critic Peter Ames Carlin presents the most revealing account yet of New Jersey’s favorite son. With contributions from band members past and present, including the last interview given by legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons, Bruce encompasses the breadth of Springsteen’s astonishing career and explores the inner workings of an American icon right up through his most recent sold-out tour and #1 album, Wrecking Ball.
A must for fans, Bruce is a meticulously researched biography of one of the most complex and fascinating artists in American music.
Download and start listening now!