70s Rocker And 80s Superstar Bruce Springsteen Boasts One Of The Top Concert Tours Of 2007/2008

"I'm the one who gets away,
I'm a New Jersey success story,
And they'll say Lord give me the chance to shake 'his' hand,
They'll say."

From "Big Casino" by Jimmy Eat World.

When it comes to the world of rock music, not many artists personify a "New Jersey success story" the way that Bruce Springsteen does. Few other musicians can lay claim to the career that Springsteen has enjoyed: nearly 40 years in the business, fifteen original albums released, accounting for nearly 64 million records sold (including "Born in the USA," one of the best-selling albums of all time), 18 Grammy awards, an Oscar, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and an enduring legacy as an icon of American working-class and socially conscious rock.

Starting off playing New Jersey clubs in the 1960s, Springsteen signed with Columbia Records in 1972. Frequently recording and touring with his backing E Street Band (some of the more well-known members have included Steve Van Zandt, Clarence Clemons and Max Weinberg), Springsteen became known as the premier representative of American blue collar rock. Classic singles like "Born To Run" and "Jungleland" firmly established his reputation, then the release of "Born In The U.S.A." made Springsteen a certified superstar. The album's cover of The Boss in faded blue jeans and white tee shirt with rolled up sleeves became an iconic image of the 80s. Subsequent releases couldn't match the sales or popular success of "Born In The U.S.A." and Springsteen settled into nearly a decade of writing less commercial music, exploring roots rock, Americana and folk leanings. One highlight of this period was a 1994 Oscar win for his song "Streets of Philadelphia," which appeared on the soundtrack of the film "Philadelphia."

Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. 2002's "The Rising" brought back the E Street Band for the first time in nearly two decades and began a period of newfound commercial success for Springsteen that has continued with a series of successful releases and a highly anticipated concert tour with the E Street Band.

Springsteen's discography includes dozens of re-mastered versions, re-releases, boxed sets, concert recordings and contributions to compilations, but the following list represents the core Bruce Springsteen catalog (including the E Street Band recordings):

1973: Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ.
1973: The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (includes the seven minute single "Rosalita").
1975: Born To Run (reached no.3 on Billboard Top 200, named by Rolling Stone Magazine as no.18 on its Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list).
1978: Darkness On The Edge Of Town (reached no. 5 on Billboard U.S. pop charts).
1980: The River (reached no.1 on Billboard U.S. pop charts, included "Hungry Heart," Springsteen's first Top 10 pop single).
1981: East Side Story.
1982: Nebraska (reached no.2 on Billboard U.S. pop charts).
1984: Born In The U.S.A. (reached no.1 on Billboard Top 200, featured 7 Top 10 singles including "Dancing In the Dark" and has sold an estimated 24 million copies).
1987: Tunnel Of Love (included the top 10 singles "Brilliant Disguise" and "Tunnel of Love").
1992: Human Touch.
1992: Lucky Town.
1995: The Ghost Of Tom Joad.
2002: The Rising (reached no.1 on Billboard Top 200 and won Best Rock Album Grammy award for 2003).
2005: Devils & Dust (reached no.1 on Billboard Top 200 and won Best Solo Rock Vocal Grammy award).
2006: We Shall Overcome – The Seeger Sessions.
2007: Magic (reached no.1 on Billboard Top 200 and won multiple Grammy awards).

Anyone who had doubts about Springsteen's longevity and relevance in today's rock music environment can cast them aside now. Springsteen released "Magic" to critical acclaim (including a rare, perfect five star review from Rolling Stone Magazine) in 2007, and received Grammy awards for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Song. Springsteen also picked up another Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental performance for his contribution to the "We All Love Ennio Morricone" compilation.

Pollstar's 2007 concert revenue figures place Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band reunion tour firmly in the top twenty acts for that year, with revenues of just under $50 million USD. That tour, supporting his latest CD "Magic," will continue into 2008 with dates throughout Europe and North America.