Bruce Springsteen Reveals His Kids Overlook His Musical Achievements
Bruce Springsteen stands as one of the most legendary American artists ever—but his children are largely unaware of it.
“Aside from a few guitars and a piano, you wouldn’t know musicians lived here,” Springsteen, 75, remarked during an interview with The Times, published on Saturday, June 21. “The kids grew up in another house in town, a mid-sized home similar to those of their friends, and we aimed to provide them with a very normal family life. Anything beyond that is a burden they don’t need.”
Springsteen—who candidly referred to himself as an “attention whore”—shared that his kids are indifferent to his enormous musical achievements.
“They ignore it,” the “Born in the U.S.A.” artist noted of his three children: Evan, 34, Jessica, 33, and Samuel, 31, whom he shares with his wife and fellow E Street Band member Patti Scialfa. “They might attend a show, bring their friends, but it’s never been a central aspect of their lives.”
This isn’t the first instance where Springsteen has shared insights about his children’s lack of interest in his music career. In 2017, he spoke to The New York Times about his adult children and their reaction to his fame.
“We had our kids later in life; I was 40 when our first son was born, and they displayed a healthy disinterest in our work over the years,” he reflected at that time. “They had their own musical idols, their own interests in music. They’d be pretty blank-faced if someone mentioned one of my song titles.”
While some artists might be bothered by their children’s lack of enthusiasm for their success, Springsteen—who is set to be portrayed in the upcoming film Deliver Me from Nowhere featuring The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White as The Boss—believes his family and tranquil life in New Jersey keep him grounded and focused on what truly matters.
“I was fortunate enough to have Elvis, the Beatles, and Bob Dylan to either emulate or diverge from,” he explained. “From that, I learned how crucial it is not to lose sight of who I am and the work I’m doing. It’s more important than money, though it’s nice to be compensated well. It’s more important than fame, even though that can be enjoyable and, at times, a nuisance. I simply wanted to write great songs, perform exceptional shows, and connect with a wonderful audience. That’s what I’ve committed my life to.”
