Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen was born in the fertile green hills of New Jersey, USA on September 2, 1949. The Boss was raised on 50s rock, became an Americana rock-and-roller in the 70s, turned into a denim-clad icon in the 80s, and today has the distinguished position of elder rock statesman and link to music traditions of the past (see the Seeger Sessions album and his impressive SWSW 2012 keynote speech).
That long road to musical legend winds around the many turnpikes and off-ramps of the Garden State. Here’s a list of locations associated with the Boss, Bruce Springsteen.
New Jersey
Monmouth, NJ-
- Monmouth Medic al Center– Bruce Springsteen was born here on September 2, 1949.
Freehold, NJ-
- Bruce Springsteen’s First House– Where the Springsteen family first lived in Freehold, NJ. No longer standing.
- Bruce Springsteen’s Second House– This former Springsteen residence still exists.
- St. Rose of Lima School– The Boss’s elementary and middle school.
- Freehold High School– The Boss’s high school.
- Federici’s Pizza– Pizza place in Freehold where The Boss has been known to hang.
Long Branch, NJ-
- 7 ½ West End Court- The Boss wrote “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road”, “Backstreets” and other tunes while living in this house near the Jersey coast from 1974-1975.
Asbury Park, NJ-
- The Stone Pony– Where many New Jersey acts cut their teeth, including Bruce Springsteen.
- Asbury Park Convention Hall- The historic convention hall where Bruce often warms up for tours.
Other
Blauvelt, NY-
- 914 Sound Studios– Where Bruce recorded tracks that would end up on Greetings from Asbury Park.
Los Angeles, CA
- Ambassador Hotel- Bruce Springsteen performed in the back-up band for the Roy Orbison special “Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Evening” in the Cocoanut Grove club of this hotel.
St. Paul, MN-
- Former St. Paul Civic Center– Where the “Dancing in the Dark” video was filmed.
photo: lola’s big adventure@flickr