Meta Description: Discover how Bruce Springsteen’s musical journey was shaped by his three greatest influences: Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan. Learn how these legends inspired The Boss.
Bruce Springsteen’s Greatest Influences: Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen is the epitome of the American rockstar. While his anthem, ‘Born in the USA,’ critiques the United States’ martial actions and veteran treatment, Springsteen’s love for his country is undeniable. As a dynamic showman, powerful vocalist, and skilled wordsmith, The Boss’s musical talent can be traced back to his three greatest influences: Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan.
Elvis Presley’s Impact on Springsteen
Springsteen’s first significant influence was Elvis Presley. Inspired by Presley’s ‘Jailhouse Rock,’ Springsteen learned to dream of a career in rock music. He recalled how dancing to Elvis’s music sparked his passion and determination to pursue his musical ambitions.
“When I was a kid, I used to hide behind the curtains at home at Christmas and try to be Elvis,” Springsteen said. “There was a certain ambience there for a ten-year-old. That was all the ambience I got, and I always wanted to be a bit similar to that.”
The Beatles’ Influence on Springsteen
The Beatles were another major influence on Springsteen’s career. He vividly remembers the moment he first heard their music while riding in the car with his mother. The early Beatles material, filled with love-related lyrics, inspired his romantic side and solidified his path in rock ‘n’ roll.
“I immediately demanded that she let me out. I ran to the bowling alley, down a long neon-lit aisle, and into the phone booth. I called my girl and asked, ‘Have you heard this band called The Beatles?’ After that, it was nothing but rock ‘n’ roll and guitars,” Springsteen recalled.
Bob Dylan’s Profound Influence on Springsteen
Bob Dylan’s influence on Springsteen was profound. By the mid-1960s, Dylan had embraced an electric sound with a poetic twist, capturing Springsteen’s attention. In 1988, Springsteen inducted Dylan into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recalling the first time he heard Dylan’s ‘Like a Rolling Stone.’
“The first time I heard Bob Dylan, I was in the car with my mother listening to WMCA. That snare shot sounded like somebody’d kicked open the door to your mind,” Springsteen said. Despite his mother’s initial reaction that Dylan “can’t sing,” Springsteen knew he was listening to the toughest voice he had ever heard.
Dylan’s Timeless Voice
Dylan’s voice, though not traditionally beautiful, carried an ageless timbre and wisdom. “It was lean, and it sounded somehow simultaneously young and adult,” Springsteen said. He bought Dylan’s single and played it for weeks, fully immersing himself in Dylan’s seminal albums during a coming-of-age moment.
“Bob Dylan didn’t treat you like a child. He treated you like an adult,” Springsteen noted in his autobiography. “Highway 61 Revisited and Bringing It All Back Home were the first time I can remember being exposed to a truthful vision of the place I lived.”
