As I noted at the time,the NYT Book Review ran a spread on Bruce Springsteen books. In this weekend’s edition, Bruce chimes in with the following somewhat tongue-in-cheek letter:
The merits of my music and performances over the last 30 years I gladly leave to the fans, critics and writers. On the subject of “image,” however, I thought I might be able to provide some simple clarification.The “saintly, man of the people” thing I occasionally see attached to my name is bull – – – –. It was perhaps invented, like myself, by Jon Landau . . . or maybe by that high school kid somewhere who supposedly wrote “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
Life, art and identity are, of course, much more complicated. How do I know? I heard it in a Bruce Springsteen song.
As a side note, I’m a bit behind noting that the Springsteen web site says a DVD of his VH1 “Storytellers” show will be released Sept. 6 in an expanded and re-edited edition.
Show a little faith
There’s magic in the night
“Thunder Road,” Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run
