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Stevie Van Zandt: Bruce Springsteen’s health is ‘completely back to normal’

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Stevie Van Zandt: Bruce Springsteen's health is 'completely back to normal'
TORONTO —

As a lifelong fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, I can wholeheartedly say that their dedication to excellence and connection with their audience is truly unparalleled. After decades in the music industry, they continue to strive for that elusive “best show ever” experience for each and every fan. It’s not about escapist entertainment, but rather a service provided with purpose and passion.

On Sunday, “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band” will make its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. This movie offers a close-up perspective of the preparations for their ongoing 2023-2024 world tour, which brought the band back together after a long break. Once the tour starts, it promises exciting concert footage. Following its premiere at TIFF, the film will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ from October 25th.

Under the guidance of Thom Zimny, a longtime collaborator who earned an Emmy for “Springsteen on Broadway,” this film showcases the band in action, integrating fresh faces, refining new tunes, and demonstrating that they’re still a formidable presence in the music scene. Springsteen personally crafted and narrates the storyline with a raw, moving openness throughout the production.

As a die-hard fan myself, I was thrilled to hear about the recent Zoom chat between Bruce Springsteen’s longtime collaborator, Zimny, and Stevie Van Zandt. With their history spanning over five decades, it’s always exciting when these two music legends get together. Naturally, the health concerns surrounding Bruce after his peptic ulcer issues have been causing quite a stir among fans, as they’ve had to postpone tour dates. I can’t wait to learn more about how this affects their upcoming project!

Based on Van Zandt’s statement, Springsteen appears to be in excellent condition, almost fully recovered to his usual self. It seems that our decision to give him additional rest and healing time was appropriate, as he has since returned with great vigor. In fact, he has been performing exceptionally well, showing remarkable improvement.

Stevie Van Zandt: Bruce Springsteen's health is 'completely back to normal'

Tom, did you find it surprising during the initial rehearsals when the band seemed to be having some difficulties, or had you witnessed such struggles from them previously?

Thom Zimny: There were aspects of this project that felt fresh and unique, but there were also familiar elements from my previous films. This moment, therefore, was like a privileged viewing as Stevie paused, looked back, and decided to revisit and refine certain aspects.

What I saw happen was Stevie following up with details and Bruce hungry to get out there on the stage. Those two energies were in front of me and as a storyteller, I knew I had a narrative arc in that, there was something going on right before my eyes. Everyone was excited to be back, but there’s a magic that’s called E Street that I would never be able to say I could describe.

Stevie Van Zandt notes that the term “struggling” might not be quite right in this context. Instead, what’s depicted in the film is Bruce Springsteen transitioning after spending around three to four years as a solo artist again, following a year-plus on Broadway and the “Western Stars” project, and then dealing with the COVID situation. Essentially, you’re observing his shift back into the band scene after being away for approximately six to seven years from the group, during which he pursued individual projects, which involves a completely different mindset.

In a less dramatic way, Bruce is adjusting rather than struggling with the upcoming band changes. As mentioned in the film by Jon Landau, it became clear that Bruce was prepared to rely on me and the team to fine-tune the music. His primary concern lies in defining the narrative, script, and communication methods for the storyline. The specifics of vocal or horn parts, the musical details he trusts I can handle effectively. I am familiar with this process, having observed it during every tour, and this tour was just a bit more intensive due to our extended time away.

In the documentary, Bruce discusses the notion behind the story he aims to convey using this particular setlist, and it seems like he might be referring to this idea in general rather than specifically addressing Stevie. However, it’s also possible for Stevie to sense this concept from the songs that Bruce has selected to play.

In a unique and concentrated manner, unlike any previous work, Bruce Springsteen approached “Letter to You” (released in 2020) with a clear purpose from the start. Unlike his usual method of refining records as he progresses, this time he had a precise message in mind. He penned it in just two weeks, an impressive feat. The recording process took only four days. From the outset, Springsteen was intensely focused, and this theme permeated the entire performance. While not strictly linear or literal, it significantly influenced many of the songs. A balance between mortality and vitality was carefully maintained throughout, making his emotional expression in this work more intense than ever. As we edge closer to the end rather than the beginning, there’s a question of what living each day means. This aspect was something we were mindful of during the creative process. We aimed to make an impact akin to a hurricane, given that it had been six or seven years since the last release and uncertainty about the future may exist among fans. Essentially, we wanted to demonstrate that there are no 20-year-olds who can outmatch our performance.

The film doesn’t shy away from addressing the reality that everyone, including yourselves, is growing older. Notably, artists such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Paul McCartney are in their 80s and continue to tour extensively. Does this inspire you to believe that there’s a precedent for what you, with the E Street Band, are doing as you age?

Van Zandt: There’s a fascinating event happening that someone will eventually discuss, and that is my belief that we have altered our understanding of sequential time. To put it mildly, this isn’t an exaggeration. When I was young, I didn’t know anyone over 60. My grandparents had passed away or were in retirement homes by then. Today, I personally know twenty individuals who are performing on stage in their 80s. Furthermore, the entire British Invasion is turning 80 this year. Clearly, something exceptional has occurred. Although I attribute it to rock ‘n’ roll, I acknowledge my bias. Medical science may have played a role, but it doesn’t fully explain how we’ve extended our active years by approximately 20 or 25 years. In simpler terms, as long as the Rolling Stones continue to perform, we are the newcomers on the scene. So let them keep going strong!

Stevie Van Zandt: Bruce Springsteen's health is 'completely back to normal'

In the movie, during your rendition of “Prove It All Night,” Bruce invites you to share the microphone with him for an electrifying exchange of vocals. This shared moment is so exhilarating and otherworldly that it’s what draws the audience to you. Are you similarly captivated by such moments, or are they simply the result of skillful stage performance and showmanship?

Van Zandt: Our performances aren’t heavily planned out. [Laughs.] Most of what we do is done on the spot. We don’t rehearse a lot, just a few basic things like when the horns might come down during a song or when the singers will move to the lower stage. The rest of what me and Bruce do on stage is entirely spontaneous. I always try to be fully present in the moment. We approach every performance with the same excitement we felt when we were 15 years old, growing up during a musical renaissance like the British Invasion and early folk-rock. Those standards were set so high that we’re still striving to reach that level of excellence today. After all these years, our goal is still to give people the best concert experience they’ve ever had. We want them to leave saying, “That was the best show I’ve ever seen.

Instead of attending for mere distraction, we aim to deliver a service. This concept is beautifully explained by Bruce in Thom’s film. When we step onto the stage, our purpose keeps us fully engaged, ensuring that each moment is unique because every performance varies. The audience changes, as does the city. For them, it’s a new experience; for us, it could be our last show. So, we always strive to give our best, one hundred percent, every single time.

In simpler terms, what I’m trying to convey is that our friendship represents the essence of a band. A band is distinctive from a solo act because it involves interaction, which symbolizes friendship, camaraderie, unity, and teamwork. Essentially, it’s about creating a sense of community. Bruce often explores this theme of connection to the community. Tonight, let’s create a community together here, and then continue to grow that community when we leave this place. I believe that moment when we share the same microphone best illustrates this friendship and interaction.

Thom, do you recognize moments like that as they are happening?

Colden: Indeed, it’s fascinating. I find myself immersed in two aspects simultaneously. In the heat of the moment, I’m absorbing it all, but later on, I delve deeper by scrutinizing the footage. Over countless hours spent with this material, I’ve noticed that there’s never a repetitive instance – a unique energy prevails consistently within the band. This intangible essence, this spontaneity, is something I, as both an admirer and a filmmaker, struggle to articulate, but I instinctively feel it demands my camera’s presence. I yearn to seize those fleeting details that encapsulate their history, the musical dialogue that defies clear description. No one is performing for the camera or aware of me; I am more of an invited observer after 24 years. From this vantage point, it presents a captivating perspective as a filmmaker, because when Bruce steps up and screams into the mic, Stevie moves closer, and I witness the chaos and movement, the energy, that essential E Street dialect – it’s something a filmmaker could study endlessly. Because this is an express train speeding ahead.

Stevie, it’s an election year and Bruce Springsteen’s music tends to resonate with individuals across the political spectrum. Is it still astonishing to you, after four decades, that the song “Born in the U.S.A.” in particular remains a significant political controversy?

As a passionate film enthusiast and songwriter, I must say that the essence of my lyrics often goes unnoticed. People tend to focus on the title, especially when it’s patriotic in nature. However, my interpretation of patriotism is unique, as expressed in my song “I Am a Patriot.” This term is frequently misused by right-wing groups, and I wrote this song to reclaim its true meaning – pride in our American ideals, acknowledging that we’re still a nation striving for progress.

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2024-09-08 13:32

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