Just now hitting his stride (@ 71)

Posted on by Live & Learn

Every music fan with blood burning in their veins has felt the sting of missing live shows since March, but the pain has been particularly acute for Bruce Springsteen, an artist who’s spent the past six decades onstage, yet says he’s just now hitting his stride.

“I’m at a point in my playing life and artistic life where I’ve never felt as vital,” he said on a Zoom call from his New Jersey home. “My band is at its best, and we have so much accumulated knowledge and craft about what we do that this was a time in my life where I said, ‘I want to use that as much as I can.’”

LZ: Like everyone else, this year hasn’t exactly gone how you’d expected. You’re putting out a record that you can’t yet tour.

BS: Oh, yeah. I think there’s going to be a process before people are comfortable rubbing up against one another again. But if somebody told me, “That’s never going to happen again” — that would be a big life change for me. That act of playing has been one of the only consistent things in my life since I was 16 years old. I’ve depended a lot on it not just for my livelihood, but for my emotional well-being. So if somebody said, “Five years from now, maybe” — that’s a long time. Particularly at my age. I’m 71, and I’m thinking, “Well I know one thing. I’m in the mood right now to burn the house down for as long as I can.” …

I think the projects that I’ve done that were summational in a sense — the book was, the Broadway show was, even this film — it’s sort of just stopping for a moment and taking stock of what you’ve done and where you are at a critical point in your life, which I think, once you hit 70, you’re there. But I look at it as, that’s what I’ve done up to this piece of my work. I still see vital work ahead.

~ Lindsay Zoladz in her interview of Bruce Springsteen, from “Bruce Springsteen is Living in the Moment” (NY Times, Oct 18, 2020)

24 thoughts on “Just now hitting his stride (@ 71)”

  1. this must be so very painful for an artist like this, the live audience is everything and he is ready yet to call it a day. he is amazing and always has been.

  2. BRUCE!!!!! I saw him for the first time during my freshman year of college…he played acoustically in a movie theater. I was smitten..still am

  4. This is so touching… what a world days we are living… He is great musician. Thank you dear Dave, Love, nia

  6. He is the “boss” in so many ways. While others had motivational quotes on their walls at work, I had a picture of Bruce. He´s all the motivation I need.

  7. he is the best – love that he is still ready to “burn the house down”…

    thanks for sharing the interview, look forward to reading all of it.

  10. Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
    WOW!! … THE BOSS!! … “I’m at a point in my playing life and artistic life where I’ve never felt as vital,” he said on a Zoom call from his New Jersey home. “My band is at its best, and we have so much accumulated knowledge and craft about what we do that this was a time in my life where I said, ‘I want to use that as much as I can.’” – Lindsay Zoladz in her interview of Bruce Springsteen, from “Bruce Springsteen is Living in the Moment” (NY Times, Oct 18, 2020).

  11. I sadly don’t know too much about him but this short post was really courage fuelling…. yeah, burn that house down, Bruce! btw, love that wooden cabin 🙂

    1. Kiki, Since you like cute wooden cabins, you might like this: Live From Daryl’s House…great contribution to the history of some entertainers and music…his show has been a wonderful way to spend some time for many, many years…this selection is from 2009 Hope you enjoy “Can We Still Be Friends” Todd Rundgren & Daryl Hall & their golden voices 🙂
      https://youtu.be/1pLTD23l468

  12. For those of us who love, Bruce…I sent this to DK back on Sept. 15th. There is a link to a different article and a great video from his upcoming album to be released on Oct. 23rd…Hope you all enjoy…
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=AQyLEz0qy-g&feature=emb_logo
    “Letter to You” I heard it on Sept 10th & a few times more since then… when it came out ahead of the album releases on Oct. 23, 2020
    https://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/bruce-springsteen-e-street-band-letter-to-you-new-album-preview/
    a little info on his new album he talks of his new song
    “I love the emotional nature of Letter to You,” said “The Boss” in a statement accompanying the big news. “And I love the sound of the E Street Band playing completely live in the studio, in a way we’ve never done before, and with no overdubs. We made the album in only five days, and it turned out to be one of the greatest recording experiences I’ve ever had.”
    Kindly, Christie

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