Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen is a Grammy and Oscar-winning rock n' roll singer and guitarist. During his career which has spanned more than four decades, Springsteen has recorded and performed solo and with the E Street Band. In addition to be one of the most beloved live concert performers in American music over the last four decades, Springsteen established himself as the voice of the unspoken in his music.

To date he has released 13 studio albums, several live and acoustic albums, and has won 20 Grammy Awards in his career. The first person ever to appear on the front cover of Time and Newsweek magazine in the same week, Springsteen also won an Academy Award for his song Streets of Philadelphia from the Jonathan Demme film Philadelphia in 1993.

Springteen's 16th album, Working on a Dream, was released in January 2009. Springsteen launched a world tour to promote the album, with fall 2009 stops in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington D.C. In addition, Springsteen played five shows at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The shows were the last for the stadium, which will be torn down at the end of the 2009 NFL season. Springsteen wrapped up the "Working on a Dream" tour in Buffalo, New York, in late-November 2009.

In December 2009, Springsteen was one of five people recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors, a special ceremony to recognize notable Americans who have offered significant contributions to American culture through their art. The ceremony also honored Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, Dave Brubek and Grace Bumpry.http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/

Springsteen participated in the January 22, 2010, Hope for Haiti Telethon to benefit victims of a devastating earthquake that rocked the country, killing hundreds of thousands of people. Other musicians who participated in the event included Wyclef Jean, Jay-Z, Bono and Sting.http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630013/20100119/jay_z.jhtml

In divorce papers filed on March 27, 2009, Arthur Kelly claimed that his wife, Ann, "committed adultery with one Bruce Springsteen, who resides in Rumson, N.J., and Colts Neck, N.J., at various times and places too numerous to mention," according to Star Magazine.Fox News: Bruce Springsteen Named as Other Man in Divorce Papers (April 8, 2009) It is not the first time Springsteen has been the target of rumors of an extra-marital affair. He allegedly cheated on his first wife, actress Julianne Phillips with his band mate and current wife, Patti Scialfa.NJ.com: Is Bruce Springsteen the Other Man (April 8, 2009)

In divorce papers filed in May 2009, Ann Kelly denied allegations of an affair with Springsteen. Kelly claims her estranged husband made up the story to try and "get big money" from Springsteen.NJ.com: Woman: My husband made up Springsteen tale for 'big money'

A little less than one year after the allegations of an affair between Springsteen and Kelly first surfaced, the New York Post revisited the story, citing divorce documents that claim the pair met at a New Jersey gym and frequently dined together. Kelly's husband continues to maintain that Kelly and Springsteen had an affair.http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/an_under_dFoIwCZyS1kP73wg2jSQVL#ixzz0k8YhTNur

Springsteen was born in Long Branch, New Jersey in 1949 and spent his childhood bouncing between schools in the area. After being inspired by a performance of Elvis Presley on The Ed Sullivan Show, Springsteen bought his first guitar at the age of 13 and began playing music. By the age of 20, he started playing gigs in the Asbury Park area and began to develop a cult following. After auditioning for talent scout John Hammond, Springsteen signed a record deal with Columbia Records.

Springsteen's debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., was released in 1973 to critical praise and invoked comparisons to another of Hammond's proteges, Bob Dylan. While his second album was received in much the same way, Springsteen began to win over critics and fans with his fresh songwriting and legendary live performances.

On February 2, 2009, tickets for Springsteen's world tour to support his Working on a Dream album went on sale in several major cities. The first U.S. leg of the Dream tour wrapped in May 2009. Leg two saw Springsteen performing several sold-out shows in Europe. Later that month, Springsteen announced a series of concerts at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Tickets for five Giants shows sold out quickly in June 2009; Springsteen was the last musical act to perform in the famed stadium before it is torn down.

Springsteen and the E Street Band were one of the headlining acts at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in June of 2009.

At a November 13, 2009, concert in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Springsteen apparently forgot where he was—greeting the crowd with "Hello Ohio!" Springsteen later apologized for the mix up, saying it was "every front man's nightmare."http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2009/11/15/2009-11-15_oops_bruce_springsteen_greets_concert_crowd_with_hello_ohio__but_he_was_in_michi.html

On February 1, 2009, Springsteen and the E Street Band performed a 12 minute set during the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show. The band's set included "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", "Born To Run," "Working On A Dream" and "Glory Days."

In July 2009, it was announced that Springsteen's Super Bowl performance garnered four Emmy Nominations.

• Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Special
• Outstanding Special Class - Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs
• Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
• Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Or Music Series Or Specialhttp://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b134405_complete_list_of_emmy_nominations.html

In December 2009, Springsteen posted a message on his official website endorsing gay marriage. The message was put up as New Jersey lawmakers were voting on a proposed amendment to legalize gay marriages in the state. Springsteen's statement read in part:

"I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that 'The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is -- a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law."http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/springsteen_endorses_gay_marri.html