Springsteen [Hardcover]

Robert Hilburn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This biography of the popular rock 'n' roller lacks the fiery passion of Dave Marsh's Born to Run, but in its own way it is reasonably interesting. Hilburn, music critic for the Los Angeles Times, is a thorough and responsible journalist. He has spoken with many of Springsteen's friends, whose recollections coalesce to form an intriguing portrait of a fiercely dedicated artist who allows no interference with his music. Hilburn makes extensive use of his own newspaper interviews with the "Boss" and offers his assessments of each album, from Greetings from Asbury Park through the 1984 megaseller Born in the U.S.A. This is a solid, informative book that will please fans, but it doesn't say much that hasn't been said before. The photographs and layout are excellent. 30,000 first printing; Literary Guild alternate. October 25
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; 1St Edition edition (October 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684184567
• ISBN-13: 978-0684184562
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,648,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in rural Louisiana, where I grew up on the blues and country music styles that eventually gave birth to rock 'n' roll.

As pop music critic at the Los Angeles Times from 1970 through 2005, I was the only music writer to accompany Johnny Cash for his landmark Folsom Prison concert. I also went along with Elton John when he became the first Western rock figure to play in Russia, with Paul Simon on the "Graceland" tour stop in Zimbabwe, with Bob Dylan for his first concerts in Israel and with Michael Jackson for part of the Jacksons' Victory tour.

I spent a week on the road with the Sex Pistols during their first and only U.S. tour. I've also been with U2 in Dublin, N.W.A in Compton, at the Dakota John Lennon, in the studio with Phil Spector, on the road with Michael Jackson, on the tour bus with Willie and Waylon, backstage with Janis Joplin and in church with Rev. Al Green.

I am now writing books, the first of which is a memoir titled "Corn Flakes With John Lennon" that touches on many of these adventures. In the book, I focus on my relationships with and critical feelings about some of the most important musicians of the rock era, especially those who contributed to rock as both an art form and inspiration.

My wife, Kathi, and I live in Los Angeles with our boxer and English bulldog. I have two children, Kathy (married to Ron Morris) and Rob Hilburn (married to Sarah Coley), and four grandchildren, Chris and Lindsey Morris and Genny and Grant Hilburn.