For all the critical acclaim, Bruce Springsteen remains remarkably modest amid his battles, his demons and insecurities. The singer-songwriter, now 67, lays some of his struggles bare for the first time in his new autobiography, “Born to Run,” which is likely to be one of the best-selling books of the year.We learn of how “the Boss” was driven to prove himself and (recycling the classic album title from 1975) born to run – away from his dad, towards poetry and music. He was sometimes nagged by self-doubt and depression, surprisingly not always successful with women, and deeply touched by the deaths of friends such as band members Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons.Fans knew some of this in whole or part. Nobody who heard the story of his fights with his father narrated on live versions of “The River” could be in any doubt that the two didn’t get on. Anyone who had heard Springsteen’s epic shows would know this is a guy who gives value for money and apparently has something to prove. In the many long concerts that this critic has seen, it is impossible not to be moved, as four hours in, drenched in sweat, Bruce tears his voice out on “Born in the USA” – he simply doesn’t have to do this, but does. He explains in the book that performing is “life-giving, muscle-aching, mind-clearing.”Similarly, he didn’t have to write the memoir, but does, and it is also epic, at more than 500 pages, and with frankness that make it a must-read for fans. It would be very easy to pen a self-congratulatory tome, full of references to glittering prizes – 20 Grammy awards; Rock Hall of Fame; famous friends; 120 million records sold – but he doesn’t. Like the character in the song “Ain’t Got You,” he has “fortunes of heaven in diamonds and gold… all the bonds, baby, that the bank can hold,” but he is still looking for more happiness and love.Most rock autobios are sensational, with a litany of groupies, excess, booze or drugs. But the man known as “the King of New Jersey” was largely too wrapped up in his work to indulge: “Music was going to get me as high as I needed to go.”On his alcoholic factory-worker dad, he notes: “He was loving in his own twisted way.” He got Bruce’s long hair trimmed to a short-back-and-sides when he was laid up after a cycle accident aged 17, and then, after countless calls for his son to go to war, was ultimately pleased when the 18-year-old failed his army physical and was not drafted. Springsteen then spends the next few years looking for a father figure, with the two getting reconciled in tender scenes only decades later as the star became a dad in the 1990s. (The 1983 song “My Hometown” sounds remarkably prescient now.)Dad and upbringing get blamed too for Bruce’s relationships with women. His early romantic feelings for Patti Sciafa got overtaken by those for Julianne Phillips. After that first marriage soon broke down, documented on the “Tunnel of Love” album, he wed Sciafa in 1991 and has three children with her.His dad is also fingered for Springsteen’s occasional depression, with mental illness apparently running in the family. Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau urged the star to seek professional help. He suffered a relapse in his early 60s which he says threatened both his musical career and relationships. He reveals that he has been on anti-depressants for the past 15 years.Springsteen’s blue-collar background helped his work ethic, the songs about ordinary people struggling with jobs, love and money. He is aware of the irony of a singer who has never needed to work in a shop or gas station playing the part of the humble Joe, always saying “mister” to his superiors. The pro-Democrat politics get a mention, though these comments are being overshadowed in his most recent interview in which has calls Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump “a moron.”Springsteen write the book in longhand over seven years after being inspired by his Super Bowl half-time show. He looks back to reveal being unhappy about the hype of being called “the new Dylan” and “the future of rock” but finally accepted that if it had to be someone, it might was well be him. Even here, there is self-depreciation. His voice isn’t great, he says, and his guitar skills are basic. While many fans may disagree, they will be struck by the candidness of the man. If you need any proof of the quality of his work, you can do worse than get the book’s companion album, “Chapter and Verse,” which contains five unreleased early songs as well as many of his biggest hits.
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