The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music (BASCAM), hosted the event “Springsteen on Screen” which featured Emmy and Grammy award-winning director Thom Zimny showcasing never before seen footage of Springsteen in celebration of his 75th birthday on Sept. 28. The event also featured special guest and E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg who brought a comical yet insanely insightful commentary which gave new life to the footage.
BASCAM has been revving up more and more programs as they anticipate the construction of a new building that will house the Archives, as well as offer related exhibition galleries, and a 230-seat, state-of-the-art theater. Over the summer, BASCAM hosted a pop-up outpost in Asbury Park’s Convention Hall which held several “Meet the Author” book events. Now with the semester in full swing, the first event was met with such anticipation that it sold out in under 30 minutes.
BASCAM Director Eileen Chapman remarked, “Thom’s films will show the history of Bruce’s prolific career and will give us an intimate look into the mind that created such amazing music.”
The event started with some opening remarks from Executive Direct, Bob Santelli, who highlighted the significance of the partnership between BASCAM and Zimny. He said, “Thom is working on a brand new film for us that will premiere in our new building. To have Thom as a part of the team is not only an honor but a blessing for our institution.”
Zimny and Weinberg were each introduced and received standing ovations from the sold-out crowd. Santelli made note of Weinberg’s dedication towards the mission of the Archives by highlighting the fact that Weinberg traveled from Florida that morning to attend the event.
Zimny opened the vault viewing with a live cover of “And Then She Kissed Me” from the historic Bottom Line show in 1975, which was before Springsteen reached national status with the release of “Born to Run” and his double cover feature in “Time” and “Newsweek” magazines. The “time machine,” as Zimny would refer to the viewing, took the audience onto the cramped stage of the legendary Bottom Line, which included a 26-year-old Springsteen clad in leather, Converse, and an askew newsboy cap. The rest of the band was in their 1970s garb, complete with ruffled collars and white tanks, complemented by shaggy hair and scruffy beards.
Another highlight from the footage was from 1976 when a lawsuit prevented Springsteen from professionally touring or recording. The footage featured the band crammed into a study-turned-studio in Springsteen’s home at the peak of summer. Weinberg said, “[The] room had no air conditioning and even with the windows open it was terrible.”
This event served as a kickstart of Springsteen happenings that will take place in the next year or so. In a matter of weeks, the film “Road Diary” will debut on Disney+ and Hulu and will showcase footage from Springsteen’s 2023 tour with the E Street Band. Production of another Springsteen film has already started, this one titled “Deliver Me From Nowhere” and will feature “The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen, and will focus on the development of Springsteen’s 1982 album “Nebraska.” Next year also marks the 50th anniversary of Springsteen’s monumental album “Born to Run,” which should guaranteed to deliver some special happenings both from Springsteen himself and BASCAM.
