Forty-nine years of interviews, iconic performances & artifacts will be featured
For nearly half a century, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have exemplified the crowd-pleasing, soul-shaking, energy-exploding excitement of rock and roll onstage. From an intimate look into Springsteen’s creative process to shedding light on how he became – and remains – one of the greatest live performers in rock and roll history, the GRAMMY Museum’s Bruce Springsteen Live! explores the evolution of Springsteen through the decades and grants exclusive backstage access to Springsteen and the E Street Band’s legendary performances.
The Museum is also asking all Springsteen fans to be part of the exhibit by submitting a video sharing their live concert experiences from Springsteen shows over the years. Excerpts of this will be part of a new exhibit film and can be seen throughout the gallery. On September 23rd, Springsteen’s 73rd birthday, the museum is inviting fans to stop by and share their stories in-person and on-camera and wish Bruce a Happy Birthday. In partnership with The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University, the traveling exhibit launches at the Museum’s downtown Los Angeles location on October 15th and will run through April 2, 2023.
“The GRAMMY Museum is excited to bring Bruce Springsteen Live! to Los Angeles,” states Jasen Emmons, Chief Curator and Vice President of Curatorial Affairs at the GRAMMY Museum. “We’re also thrilled to offer a special, expanded exhibit with the help of Springsteen fans for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience.”
From Springsteen’s earliest days on the Jersey Shore, performing in dingy clubs and boardwalk bars, to performing sold-out superstar stadium shows, his aim was to always exceed the loftiest expectations. Bruce Springsteen Live! will feature 49 years of iconic artifacts, live performance footage, instruments and stage costumes, exclusive interviews, concert posters and photography, as well as unique interactive displays to immerse fans into the minds of Springsteen and the E Street Band’s prolific process and how they prepare for concerts and tours.
“Few performers embody the soul and excitement of live rock and roll like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,” comments co-curator Robert Santelli. “This exhibit will give fresh insight into how they’ve been able to remain one of the greatest live acts for five decades.”
“We are honored to work with the GRAMMY Museum on this unique Bruce Springsteen exhibit,” states co-curator Eileen Chapman, Director of The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. “Since his first west coast show as a touring musician at the Troubadour in 1973 to the present day, Bruce has performed over 100 shows in the Los Angeles area and has thrilled millions of fans with his electrifying performances. This extensive exhibit provides a peek behind the curtain and a stirring trip down memory lane.”
The exhibit will include a variety of artifacts including the Born to Run Esquire Guitar, Clarence Clemons’ saxophone, outfits and accessories, Max Weinberg’s drum kit, Danny Federici Accordion and more. Fans will also be able to create their encore interactive experience. This interactive kiosk will allow visitors to view his handwritten setlists and create their own encores to compare against Springsteen’s original.
