Of course, it’s not so easy to explain how the “kid from New Jersey”, who was initially described by critics as a musical flash in the pan, could become a rock music superstar. But if you want to do a search, you will almost inevitably come across the time around the recording of “Darkness on the Edge of Town”.
Photographer Lynn Goldsmith was there first-hand during the recording, tour and release of the record, documenting the rise of an ambitious musician to become an American folk poet with the aura of a messiah.
A magnificent limited volume from Taschen now brings together the images from this time in the best possible quality and also tells stories behind the scenes of the album with which Springsteen filled stadiums for the first time. “These photos remain as documents of a moment in which I really played for my life, night after night,” said the singer about the meaning of the photos in the foreword to the book.
Of course, it’s not just a bow to the boss, but also an appreciation of his musical companions (the E Street Band in its original line-up with Roy Bittan, Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Garry Tallent, Steven Van Zandt and Max Weinberg). It is unmistakable that it is not an egomaniac at work here, but a musician with heart who was only able to achieve such greatness because he has the right people at his side. Perhaps never has the E Street Band’s achievements been more visibly recognized than with these images.
“ I witnessed firsthand how Bruce and the E Street Band exerted themselves, conjuring notes out of the air, exerting themselves on stage to deliver a musical performance that expressed the weakness and greatness of humanity “, writes Goldsmith in her foreword, a signature can also be found in one of the limited edition of 1,978 copies (Lynn Goldsmith. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Hardcover in a box, 26.9 x 37.3 cm, 4.11 kg, 364 pages. Collector’s Edition, numbered and signed by Lynn Goldsmith. Also available in two art editions, each with a print signed by Lynn Goldsmith, €600, bags).
“Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band” in XL format is almost only suitable for large Christmas trees to place under the greenery on Christmas Eve, but it should make every fan of the musician happy – and is guaranteed to give you new insights.
