Grammy winning Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame member Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band recently documented their return to live performing post-COVID inRoad Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.While severalcurrent members of the E Street Band were a part of the group’s original lineup, there have been several members who departed. The documentary released on Hulu offers a window intoSpringsteen’s songwriting, creative process, and rehearsal style, while additionally shedding light on the rich history of the musician’s rise to fame.
Several current members of the E Street Band remain integral in75-year-old Springsteen’s personal and professional life. Patti Scialifa, who currently lends harmony vocals, rhythm guitar, keys, and synthesizer to the group, is also married to Springsteen. The couple share three children together and became first-time grandparents in 2022. On the other hand, several of thedeparted members of the E Street Band went on to have successful music careers, while others have passed away.
Bruce Springsteen, Lead singer, guitarist, harmonica, keyboards
1972-present
Garry Tallent, bass, backing vocals
Roy Bittan, piano, keyboards, backing vocals
1974-present
Max Weinberg, drums, percussion, backing vocals
Steven Van Zandt, rhythm and lead guitars, harmony and backing vocals, mandolin
1975-present
Nils Lofgren, lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals, accordion
1984-present
Patti Scialfa, harmony and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
Clarence Clemons, saxophone, backing vocals, percussion
1972-2011 (his death)
Danny Federici, organ, accordion, electronic glockenspiel, backing vocals
1972-2008 (his death)
David Sancious,piano, organ, keyboards, backing vocals
1972-1974, 2014
Vini Lopez,drums, backing vocals
1974
Soozie Tyrell,backing vocals, violin, percussion, acoustic rhythm guitar
2002-present (touring member)
Charles Giordano, organ, accordion, synthesizer
2008–present (touring member)
Curtis King, backing vocals
2009-2014, 2023-present (touring member)
Jake Clemons, saxophones, backing vocals, percussion
2012-present (touring member)
2012-2014, 2023-present (touring member)
2023-present (touring member)
Anthony Almonte, percussion, backing vocals
5Clarence Clemons
Joined In 1972, Died In 2011
Clarence Clemons was a renowned saxophonistwho played with the E Street band from 1972 to his untimely death in 2011. Clemons and Springsteen were lifelong close personal friends and bandmates, and previous footage of Clemons is included inRoad Diary.Clemons' nephew, Jake Clemons, now a touring member of the band,is also interviewed regarding the late musician’s legacy in blues and rock music in the documentary. Springsteen remarked that“That relationship is forever irreplaceable”inRoad Diary.
Clemons and Springsteen first met in 1971 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where Springsteen began to gain notoriety for playing at storied venues such as the Stone Pony.At the time, Clemons was playing with a group called Normal Seldin and the Joyful Noize, and was encouraged to check out Springsteen’s set at the nearby Student Prince, now Porta (viaAsbury Park Press). Clemons stated in posthumous interviews featured inRoad Diarythat he always saw Springsteen’s vision.
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A Baptist-born man from the South,Clemons made his way to New Jersey by chance after a career-ending injury upended his plans of going professional with the NFL(viaESPN). Clemons had played the saxophone since he was nine years old, and opted to pursue music professionally instead of football after surviving a life-altering car accident. Clemons was posthumously inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame as a part of the E Street Band in 2014.
4Danny Federici
Joined In 1972, Died In 2008
Danny Federici, like Springsteen, was raised in a small working-class community in New Jersey.Federici was the E Street Band’s organist for 40 years, and additionally played the accordion and the electric glockenspiel. His diverse instrumentation was an integral element in the band’s evolving sound, which ranged from blues to folk and rock. Federici first picked up the accordion when he was seven years old (viaChorus & Verse).
He was often nicknamed the Phantom for evading a police crackdown in 1970 at a live performanc.
Federici’s organ playing was particularly important in Springsteen’s 1980s music, on hits like “Hungry Heart” and more.He was often nicknamed the Phantom for evading a police crackdown in 1970 at a live performance (viaVermillion County First). Federici attended Hunterdon Central High School, where he first took an interest in pursuing music professionally. (viaTAPinto Flemington/Raritan). Outside his work with the band, Federici also released a solo jazz album titledFlemingtonin homage to his hometown.
The multi-instrumentalist took a leave from the band in 2007 to undergo treatment for melanoma, and later made a brief final return in 2008 for his last performance with the band.Federici ultimately died after battling the form of skin cancer for three years, where he was treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City (viaRolling Stone).
3David Sancious
Joined In 1972, Left In 1974, Returned Solely For 2014
David Sancious, an organist, pianist, and backing vocalist, briefly performed with the E Street Band for two years following their 1972 inception, and made a brief appearance with them in 2014. Sancious left the band to become a successful touring and session musician for a number of acclaimed acts, including Peter Gabriel, Sting, Eric Clapton, and more. An Asbury Park, New Jersey local, Sancious became involved with several bands in the local music scene as a teenager.
The E Street Band takes its name after the road Sancious' mother lived on.The group practiced in her garage at 1107 E Street in Belmar, New Jersey, on the Jersey Shore (viaAsbury Park Press). While Sancious was an important part of the group finding their early sound, he did not join the band full-time until the following year in 1973. The musician departed the band in 1974 alongside drummer Ernest Carter to form their own band, Tone. The group went on to work with future members of Santana, and Patti Scialfa, Springsteen’s later collaborator and wife.
Springsteen encouraged Sancious to go solo, and assisted him in networking whenever possible in his early career.Sancious landed a recording contract with Epic Records, and later spoke about how much he always admired Springsteen’s authenticity (viaRolling Stone). Due to his role as a founding member, Sancious was inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of fame in 2014 as a part of the E Street Band.
2Vini Lopez
Joined 1972, Left 1974, Returned Solely In 2014
Lopez is another New Jersey local once a part of the E Street Band. Lopez attended Neptune High School alongside fellow E Street member Garry Tallent, a fellow founding member who is still active as the band’s bass player(viaNew Jersey Monthly). The drummer is nicknamed “Mad Dog,” and he played drums on Springsteen’s first two records, Greetings FromAsbury Park, N.J.and The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle.
His abrupt 1974 departure from the band was born from a fight he claimed to have with the group’s road manager, Steve Appel.
Lopez lent his drumming to a number of bands on the Jersey shore.His abrupt 1974 departure from the band was born from a fight he claimed to have with the group’s road manager, Steve Appel (viaThe New York Times). Appel’s brother went on to become the band’s manager. He reunited with his former bandmates when the E Street Band was inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
1Ernest Carter
Joined And Left In 1974
Ernest “Boom” Carter was an Asbury Park native and childhood friend of Sancious.Carter is heralded as one of the most dynamic rock n' roll drummers of all time, for his ability to create a unique blend of rhythm, blues, and rock. The drummer replaced Lopez upon his departure. Carter and Sancious left E Street together to form their own jazz fusion group, Tone, which was later signed to Epic Records in 1975 (viaJazzwise). The group’s debut albumForest of Feelings was droppedin 1975.
Tone broke up in 1978, with Carter moving on to drum for a number of other Jersey Shore bands.
Prior to his departure from the E Street Band, Carter gained notoriety for his role in crafting the sound of Springsteen’s hit song “Born To Run.” Carter’s replacement in the band was current E Street member Max Weinberg. Weinberg went on to serve as E Street’s longtime drummer, and is featured prominently inRoad Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Sources:Asbury Park Press, ESPN, Chorus & Verse, Vermillion County First, TAPinto Flemington/Raritan, Rolling Stone, New Jersey Monthly, The New York Times, Jazzwise
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
Cast
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band offers an insider’s glimpse into Springsteen’s creative process, featuring behind-the-scenes footage of band rehearsals and backstage moments. The documentary provides fans with direct insights from Springsteen, enhancing their understanding of his musical journey.
