Happy Birthday to 'The Boss'

"If they had told me I was the janitor and would have to mop up and clean the toilets after the show in order to play, I probably would have done it," Bruce Springsteen once said.

Springsteen began his career in 1972 when he signed a deal with Columbia Records and released Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. At that time he also formed the E-Street Band.

He is probably best known for 1984's Born in the USA, which is one of the best-selling albums of all time. It was at that time when Rolling Stone called Springsteen "Voice of the Decade."

Currently, Springsteen and the E-Street Band are deciding on their future. In June, saxophonist Clarence Clemons passed away due to complications from a stroke.

Happy birthday to "The Boss," who turns 62 today.

The Music Industry Ten Years Ago on 9/11

It's hard to believe 9/11 happened ten years ago.

Former Walt Disney consumer products senior VP Carolyn Beug, Backstreet Boy's roadie Danny Lee and ASCAP's music licensing team member Jane Simpkin were passengers of the two planes that hit the WTC towers and among the approximate 2,700 people who died.

Music concerts and events were constantly postponed or canceled, including the Latin Grammy Awards, CMJ Music Marathon, and tours by U2, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Shaggy, Weezer and Brian Wilson.

Releases on 9/11/01 included: Jay-Z's The Blueprint, Nickelback's Silver Side Up, Bob Dylan's Love and Theft and Mariah Carey's Glitter Soundtrack. Music sales that week dropped 5% and 16.2% in the New York metropolitan area, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Fund raising events, including the America: A Tribute to Heros telethon, raised over $100 million dollars. Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, U2, Faith Hill, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi and the Dixie Chicks were some of the telethon performers.

Ten years later, many songs have been written about 9/11 including: "Covered In Rain" by John Mayer, "Believe" by Yellowcard, "Undivided" by Bon Jovi, "New Killer Star" by David Bowie, "911 For Peace" by Anti-Flag and "The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen.


Many music artists remembered 9/11 during the ten year anniversary this year.

"We were in disbelief," Lady Gaga told MTV. "We all watched the second tower fall together."  

“Of course it’s a very powerful and painful day for us, but again, we should be showing our resolve,” Jay-Z said. “We’re moving on, playing football, and everything is great out here.”

Read more about the music industry and 9/11 at Billboard.com.