Bruce Springsteen Live!

Exhibit Info

On View - Oct 15, 2022 - Apr 02, 2023

For nearly half a century, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have exemplified the crowd-pleasing, soul-shaking, energy-exploding excitement of rock and roll onstage. From an intimate look into Springsteen’s creative process to shedding light on how he became – and remains – one of the greatest live performers in rock and roll history, the GRAMMY Museum®’s Bruce Springsteen Live! explores the evolution of Springsteen through the decades and grants exclusive backstage access to Springsteen and the E Street Band’s legendary performances. The Museum also asked Springsteen fans to be part of the exhibit by submitting a video sharing their live concert experiences from Springsteen shows over the years. Excerpts are a part of a new exhibit film and can be seen throughout the gallery. On September 23rd, Springsteen’s 73rd birthday, the museum invited fans to stop by and share their stories in-person and on-camera and wish Bruce a Happy Birthday. In partnership with The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University, the traveling exhibit launched at the Museum’s downtown Los Angeles location on Oct. 15 and will run through April 2, 2023.

“The GRAMMY Museum is excited to bring Bruce Springsteen Live! to Los Angeles,” said Jasen Emmons, Chief Curator and Vice President of Curatorial Affairs at the GRAMMY Museum. “We’re also thrilled to offer a special, expanded exhibit with the help of Springsteen fans for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience.”

From Springsteen’s earliest days on the Jersey Shore, performing in dingy clubs and boardwalk bars, to performing sold-out superstar stadium shows, his aim was to always exceed the loftiest expectations. Bruce Springsteen Live! will feature 49 years of iconic artifacts, live performance footage, instruments and stage costumes, exclusive interviews, concert posters and photography, as well as unique interactive displays to immerse fans into the minds of Springsteen and the E Street Band’s prolific process and how they prepare for concerts and tours.

“Few performers embody the soul and excitement of live rock and roll like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,” said co-curator Robert Santelli. “This exhibit will give fresh insight into how they’ve been able to remain one of the greatest live acts for five decades.”

“We are honored to work with the GRAMMY Museum on this unique Bruce Springsteen exhibit,” said co-curator Eileen Chapman, director of The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.  “Since his first west coast show as a touring musician at the Troubadour in 1973 to the present day, Bruce has performed over 100 shows in the Los Angeles area and has thrilled millions of fans with his electrifying performances. This extensive exhibit provides a peek behind the curtain and a stirring trip down memory lane.”

Exhibit highlights include:

• Born to Run Esquire Guitar: A staple of Springsteen’s career, the modified Fender guitar was featured most famously on the album cover of Born to Run (1975), as well as Live 1975/85 (1986), Human Touch (1992), and Wrecking Ball (2012)/li>
• Clarence Clemons Saxophone: Nicknamed “The Big Man,” the legendary saxophonist played alongside Springsteen for 40 years. Upon Clarence’s death in 2011, the iconic instrument was passed on to his nephew Jake Clemons who, since 2012, continues to use it in performance as the newest member of the E Street Band./li>
• Stage Clothing: Outfits and accessories from Springsteen and members of the E Street Band.
• Tunnel of Love Ticket Booth Stage Prop: From the 1988 Tunnel of Love Tour, this iconic ticket booth symbolized the audience’s admittance to the onstage narrative of the rollercoaster of love, loyalty, commitment, and faith.
• Max Weinberg’s Tunnel of Love drum kit, plus a drum interactive with tips from Weinberg.
• Danny Federici Accordion
• Create Your Encore Interactive: Springsteen is known for his encores! This interactive kiosk allows visitors to view his handwritten set lists and create their own encores to compare against Springsteen’s original.