Bruce Springsteen

When I think of a hero I think of someone doing heroic services for others. This is true, but the definition of a hero can be interpreted in different ways. I think a hero is someone that does not just do heroic services, but are a positive role model in our society. Another important trait for a hero to have is they always think of others before themselves. One person that I think best fits this description is Bruce Springsteen.

Bruce Springsteen was born on September 23, 1949, in Freehold New Jersey. He grew up in a working class family where money was very tight. His mother, Adele, was a secretary, and his father, Douglas, was a bus driver. While Bruce was growing up he was interested in such artists as The Who, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Elvis Presley. When he was in school he was a very unmotivated and rebellious student. When he was thirteen Bruce Springsteen taught himself how to play the guitar and piano. As he grew older, he didn't care much for school, but he did find he loved music. In 1965 he started his first band, which was named Castiles. Although he almost failed high school, he did manage to graduate in 1967. After graduation he enrolled in Ocean Community College, but dropped out in order to pursue his love for music. In 1969 Bruce's family moved to California, but he stayed and lived in an apartment in Asbury Park, New Jersey. In the early 1970's Springsteen formed several bands, including Steel Mill, Dr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom, and the Bruce Springsteen Band. A number of the members from these bands would be part of his most famous band, Bruce Springsteen and The East Street Band. The band was named after East Street in Belmar, New Jersey. His band mates included guitarist Steve Van Zandt, bassist Gary Tallent, and saxophonist Clarence Clemons. Drummer Max Weinberg and keyboards Roy Bittar would later join the band. In 1971 Bruce's band signed a ten-album deal with Columbia Records. When his first album, Greetings From Asbury Park New Jersey, was released in 1973 Bruce Springsteen was touted by Columbia Records as "the new Bob Dylan." The album failed to sell much and didn't get any significant airplay. His second effort, The Wild, The Innocent, and The East Street Shuffle was released later in 1971. It also failed to sell much and, like his first album, it didn't get any significant airplay.

Springsteen co-produced his third album, Born to Run, and it shot to number three on the charts in its first week. The album went gold (sold 500,000 copies), and it was driven by its number one single Thunder Road. All the magazines were asking for photos, and Springsteen was being called the savior of rock and roll. In 1978 Springsteen returned to the studios and was determined to have a great follow up to his smash hit Born to Run. That same year he released his fourth album, Darkness on the Edge of Town. Critics praised this album because of its groundbreaking lyrics. The album had only one major single, Prove It All Night, but also featured songs with emotion, like Badlands, and Adam Raised A Cain. After relentless touring through 1978, he went into the studios and recorded his fifth album, The River. It reached number one on the charts, and had a hit single, Hungry Heart, which reached number four on the singles charts. After touring two years throughout the U.S.A. he recorded his 1982 album, Nebraska. This album was more folk music than rock and roll, which disappointed his fans. It reached number two on the charts and had two hit singles. After resting in 1983 Springsteen went into the studios and recorded his most successful album, Born In The U.S.A. Born In The U.S.A. was a phenomenal success and sold more than twenty million copies. This was a record for Columbia records up to that time. The album included Grammy award winning songs such as Dancing In The Dark, Cover Me, Born In The U.S.A., I'm On Fire, Glory days, and My Hometown. After all was said and done Bruce walked away with four Grammy awards, and it seemed everyone could relate to his music.In the end of 1984 Springsteen hired background singer Patti Scialfi. He toured constantly and attracted people to his shows by sometimes playing for 5 hours! During his relentless tour schedule he managed to write the album, Tunnel of Love, and the album won two Grammies. In 1988 Bruce left his band and tried a solo career. In 1992 after five years without a record, he simultaneously released two albums, Human Touch and Lucky Town. Both were great successes, and Bruce was in a great state of mind. The next year Bruce recorded and produced Streets of Philadelphia for Jonathon Demes movie Philadelphia. The song went to number one on the single charts, and it also won an Academy Award. The next year he won 4 Grammies for that song and was known as one of the best artists ever. Two years later Bruce released a greatest hits album, and later that same year he released The Ghost of Tom Joad and won a Grammy for best folk album.

To follow up his album he did his first acoustic tour, and played in small charity events. After his acoustic tour he stopped writing songs and went home to rest up but he not for long. On March 15, 1999, Bruce was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After he received his award he said, " This is the greatest moment in my life." Later that same year he reunited with The East Street Band for a world tour which kicked off in Spain and ended in his home state of New Jersey. This tour grossed over 100 million dollars and was the most money ever made for a tour. In the year 2000 Bruce released his latest album Live in New York City which was very successful.

As you can see, Bruce Springsteen has had tremendous achievements that include 10 Grammies, one Academy Award, and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He played for charities, and has donated over one million dollars for charitable organizations during the past 5 years. Bruce Springsteen hasn't always had it easy, and he feels that with his donations he can help people restart their lives. These are the main reasons I picked him for my hero and he will always be my role model.