Bruce and Stevie

Celebrating a fabulous birthday weekend in Chicago last week came with the added bonus of downtime on the plane to watch a few movies, including the new Stevie Van Zandt documentary that touches on one of the greatest friendships in rock history.

A seriously talented musician in his own right, Van Zandt might be best known as Bruce Springsteen’s chief collaborator and production guru. The documentary about him highlights not only Van Zandt’s immense contributions to the Boss and the E Street band, but it also showcases his successful career as a solo musician and actor. Who could forget his portrayal of mobster Tony Soprano’s right-hand man Silvio Dante in HBO’s highly acclaimed The Sopranos series? In addition, Van Zandt has been a tireless advocate for social causes and music education.

I was amazed by Van Zandt’s many accomplishments, and also by the close friendship that he and Springsteen have shared since the early 1970s when they were both getting started as musicians on the Jersey Shore. Springsteen freely admits that Van Zandt was certainly talented enough to be a frontman in his own right. The Boss is not shy about giving Van Zandt credit for his critical contributions to his explosive success with the E Street band. The two are close and have maintained a friendship that has sustained the challenges of time, professional and personal growth, as well as fame and fortune.

You don’t have to have anything in common with people you’ve known since you were five. With old friends, you’ve got your whole life in common.

—Lyle Lovett

At one point in the documentary, a music industry exec describes the way Springsteen’s band gels together as something that can only happen among people who grew up in the same place at the same time. Whatever the magic ingredient is that keeps these talents collaborating, I hope their relationship goes on forever.

Julia and I have many treasured memories that involve listening to music created by Springsteen and Van Zandt. If you are a fan as well, I highly recommend watching the documentary!