May 6, 2018: Springsteen Inducts Steven Van Zandt Into NJ HoF
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Van Zandt and Springsteen singing “I Don’t Want to Go Home” on May 6, 2018
Steven Van Zandt was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame on May 6, 2018, by his boss, Bruce Springsteen, who did the honors for the longtime E Street Band guitarist. It all took place at the historic Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park.
In his remarks, Springsteen said: “Baptized at 13 in the holy spirit of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, the Stones on Hollywood Palace, Steve’s vocation – rock and roll – chose him early.
“Steve’s service playing, singing, producing as my irreplaceable lieutenant. Steve is one of the greatest, living white soul performers we have.”
Springsteen went on to recite Van Zandt’s many accomplishments outside of the E Street Band including organizing the anti-apartheid project, “Sun City,” his work with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, leading his own band, the Disciples of Soul, and his acting role as Silvio Dante on The Sopranos.
Afterwards, the pair sang “I Don’t Want to Go Home,” which Van Zandt wrote and produced for Southside Johnny.
Watch Springsteen’s induction speech, followed by Van Zandt’s acceptance speech
Watch them sing Van Zandt’s “I Don’t Want to Go Home”
Tickets to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are available here and on StubHub.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, led by Van Zandt, were celebrating the start of a new tour with the surprise release of Soulfire Live!, a 24-track collection recorded the previous year in North America and Europe during the band’s first tour in nearly two decades.
Among the album’s highlights is the introduction made by Mike Stoller, who along with partner Jerry Leiber, is one of the first successful rock songwriters and producers. The album features original songs from throughout Little Steven’s career, including “Standing in the Line of Fire” and “I Don’t Want To Go Home,” alongside a number of favorite cover versions like the Electric Flag’s “Groovin’ Is Easy,” Etta James’ “Blues Is My Business” and James Brown’s “Down and Out in New York City.”
The tour benefitted TeachRock, the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation’s national initiative to bring music curriculum into middle and high schools across the country.
Related: Our interview with Van Zandt
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