Record company contemplated terminating Springsteen's contract. Turning point: release of 'Born to Run' album
Fifty Years of "Born to Run": Springsteen's Turning Point
Bruce Springsteen's iconic album "Born to Run" celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, marking a pivotal moment in the musician's career and the revitalisation of rock and roll.
In 1975, Springsteen found himself on the brink of being dropped by Columbia Records due to the poor sales of his previous albums and the loss of key label support. However, the artist channeled his intense ambition and creative focus into producing a landmark record that captured the magic of his live performances within the studio.
The making of "Born to Run" was an "existential moment" for Springsteen, as described by biographer Peter Ames Carlin. Over six months, Springsteen refined the title track and the album as a whole, incorporating new members into his backing band who contributed fresh energy.
Working with Jon Landau, a critic who became a co-producer, helped sharpen the album's vision. Springsteen focused the album around a unifying theme of yearning for love and connection, which resonated widely. He also learned studio techniques that translated the intensity of his live shows into a recorded format, making the album feel both grand and intimate.
Before the release of "Born to Run," Columbia Records was on the verge of dropping Springsteen. The opportunity given to him was to make one last song, which turned out to be "Born to Run." The album, released on August 25, 1975, became a critical and commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200 and selling six million copies in the US.
The album propelled Springsteen's career and helped solidify the musical voice he would carry on for decades to come. Springsteen continues to mark the anniversary of the album's release by getting in his car and listening to the record while driving around his old stomping grounds in Asbury Park, N.J.
Despite initial doubts from some at Columbia Records, including Charles Koppelman, who had a higher opinion of Billy Joel's music, there were enough advocates to prevent Springsteen from being dropped. The album, "Born to Run," marked a turning point for rock and roll and for Springsteen, defining him as a major rock artist and revitalizing a genre in need of revival.
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