E Street Band
Rock music group
Formed in: Belmar, New Jersey
New Jersey Hall of Fame, Class of 2012: Arts & Entertainment

It started in a garage on E Street in Belmar, but it soon spread around the world. Best-known as Bruce Springsteen’s backup band, the core members of the E Street Band were major contributors to Springsteen’s emergence and endurance as the biggest rock star of his generation.

The band’s original lineup included Garry Tallent (bass), Clarence Clemons (saxophone), Danny Federici (keyboards and accordian), David Sancious (keyboards), and Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez (drums). Springsteen was the front man, on vocals and guitar. The group came together in late 1972 and began to rehearse in the garage at the E Street home of Sancious’ mother.

By 1974, after the release of Springsteen’s first album, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,” Sancious and Lopez were gone from the lineup. Roy Bittan replaced Sancious on keyboards. Ernest “Boom” Carter initially replaced Lopez on drums. In short order, Max Weinberg took Carter’s place. Steven Van Zandt, who had played in several of Springsteen’s previous bands, officially joined the E Streeters on guitar and vocals in July 1975.

Following “Greetings,” the E Street Band performed regularly on Springsteen’s albums and supported him on his tours for some 15 years as he grew into global superstardom. The band grew, too. Joining along the way were Springsteen’s future wife, vocalist Patti Scialfa, and singer/guitarist Nils Lofgren, who replaced Van Zandt, when the latter left in 1984 to pursue his own career.

Springsteen disbanded the group in 1989, but continued to play and record with various members over the next decade. He brought the full band together in 1999 for a reunion tour. The band has been recording and touring with Springsteen ever since—albeit with some changes. Danny Federici succumbed to melanoma in 2008; he was replaced for the most part by Charles Giordano. Then in 2011, Clarence Clemons, the sax player who interacted so effectively on stage with Springsteen, died following a stroke. His nephew, Jake Clemons, replaced Clarence in the band. Vocalist/violinist/guitarist Soozie Tyrell also joined the regular lineup.

In addition to Springsteen, the E Street Band has recorded with artists such as Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead. Virtually all of the members also worked on projects as individuals. Most notably, Van Zandt has enjoyed a successful career as front man of his own band, Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul, and as a producer of acts such as Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Ronnie Spector, and Gary U.S. Bonds. He’s also known for his featured role as Silvio Dante in HBO’s “The Sopranos.”

Among other E Streeters, Weinberg formed his own bands and became a TV personality as bandleader on Conan O’Brien’s late-night shows. Scialfa has released three critically acclaimed albums and has recorded with other artists, including the Rolling Stones. Lofgren, who had a solo career prior to joining the E Street Band, has continued to release his own albums.

Along with their recognition as E Street Band members, Van Zandt and Scialfa have been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame as individuals.