Bruce Springsteen's unknown heavy metal past
For five decades, Bruce Springsteen has been constantly evolving his sound, mixing new elements into his musical journey. From the bold rock of his debut Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ in 1973 to his R&B aesthetic Only The Strong Survive In 2022, Springsteen is an artist who doesn't hesitate to explore different genres, including heavy metal.
Although his reputation is closely associated with heartland rock, Springsteen has also left his mark on harder, metal sounds. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2014, he recalled the time before the E Street Band, when he was a member of a prog-metal band.
"I had a whole career as a heavy metal guitarist that was never recorded," he said with humor. Bruce was a member of Steel Mill, a band that combined elements of heavy metal, prog-rock, and blues from the late 60s to the early 70s. Although the band never officially recorded, they created a large amount of music that survives through live recordings.
Steel Mill: A short but defining journey
The band, which included Robbin Thompson, Vinnie Roslin and three future members of the E Street Band (Vini Lopez, Danny Federici, Steve Van Zandt), performed opening for legendary acts such as Ike & Tina Turner and Black Sabbath. The Steel Mill story began in a contest in 1966, when Springsteen was just 16 years old.
Despite the band's breakup in 1971, live performances such as The Wind and the Rain capture their complex sound, while their fans can still discover their music on YouTube.
The influence of Steel Mill on Springsteen's musical career
In another 2016 interview, Springsteen acknowledged that his years with Steel Mill helped him better understand the music industry, but also the limitations of the band. "I realized we were good, but not as good as I thought. I had to decide what to do with it," he explained.
Although there has been no official reissue or remastering of their music, Springsteen remains open to the possibility of releasing material from their classic concerts. "Anything is possible," he said, keeping hope alive for his fans.
The Steel Mill story is a fascinating and lesser-known chapter in Bruce Springsteen's life. Although brief, this period was a foundation for his musical development and showcased his ability to experiment with different musical genres.
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