For the millions of devoted fans of Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run is the definitive account of the legendary rocker and his rise to fame. Written by biographer Peter Ames Carlin, the book chronicles Springsteen's lightning-fast ascension from unknown New Jersey rocker to international icon. Carlin intimately details the highs and lows of Springsteen's life from his humble beginnings in working-class Freehold, New Jersey to selling out stadiums around the world. Drawing on over 300 interviews with Springsteen, his bandmates, family members, and long-time friends, Carlin exposes the private Springsteen behind the public one, revealing the man, the performer, and the artist.
Born to Run is organized chronologically and begins with the early days of Bruce's childhood and teenage years in Freehold when he first began to explore his musical passions with local bands. Carlin paints a vivid picture of what it was like to grow up in Freehold, and how Springsteen's musical tastes were shaped by the place he stayed in and his family's eclectic record collection. With anecdotes from Springsteen himself and those who knew him growing up, Carlin reconstructs the events that led to Springsteen's discovery, his emergence as a leading light of the New Jersey music scene, and the consequent rise to stardom.
Once he was signed, Springsteen worked tirelessly perfecting all aspects of his act and perfecting the craft of songwriting. Carlin details his meticulous approach in the studio, rehearsals and performances, suggesting this was of crucial importance to the development of Springsteen's style. His approach to live performance, in particular, set him apart from his contemporaries in terms of energy and enthusiasm. Bruce refuses to settle for merely playing the same songs every night and Carlin recounts the importance of improvisation and fresh energy being brought to the stage.
For much of the remaining book, Carlin follows Bruce and his E Street Band on their world tour in support of Born to Run and takes readers into the heart of the music, across Europe, the United States and Mexico, vividly documenting the intense and often overwhelming experiences of life on the road. Along the way, Carlin captures the impact and influence the tour had on Springsteen's musical career and beyond.
By the end of the book, it is clear to the reader that Springsteen had achieved a level of success beyond anything he had ever imagined. He had become an American hero and one of the most beloved figures of the rock and roll era. Although his career is far from over, Carlin offers insight into the mind and life of Bruce that fans of the musician will relish and treasure. Bruce's story is inspiring and Carlin has written an enthralling account of the experiences that shaped the Springsteen we know and love today.
Born to Run is an inspiring and compelling look at one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. While this book will be of particular interest to Springsteen fans, anyone who appreciates rock and roll, or stories of perseverance and success, will find something to appreciate in Born to Run.
