Springsteen: Point Blank

by Christopher Sandford

“Pop gave him the licence to be dirty, sweaty and loud, the licence to get even, to make the real world vanish …”

In 1958 a young boy was watching television with his mother when on came Elvis Presley. Turning to his mother he said, ‘I wanna be just … like … that.’

The boy was called Bruce Springsteen, and his fate had just been determined. Soon after his mother would buy him his first guitar, and his journey would begin.

A loner with a distaste for formal education, music was not merely a hobby but what he did, yet in 1975 it had reached make-or-break point.

‘Born to Run’ was the title of this, Springsteen’s third, album … and it made him.

Becoming one of the world’s bestselling artists, Springsteen has won numerous awards in the course of his career, from Grammys and Golden Globes to an Academy Award.

As with so many artists people responded to Springsteen’s legend, and in time the line between the man and the myth became blurred.

In Point Blank Christopher Sandford re-establishes the line and paints the definitive picture of the ordinary yet gifted Jerseyan who came to be known as “the Boss”.



‘A more thorough and current account than the best existing life so far’ — Robert Sandall, Sunday Times

‘Rigorously researched and thoroughly readable’ — Q

‘Very well written, critical and thoroughly researched’ — Guardian

Christopher Sandford is the critically acclaimed author of nineteen biographies, including Edge of Darkness. Before this he enjoyed careers in public relations and cricket and music journalism, with articles appearing in the Seattle Times, Rolling Stone, the Spectator and The Observer amongst others, as well writing fiction.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

482 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 1999

About the author

Christopher Sandford has published acclaimed biographies of Kurt Cobain, Steve McQueen, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, and Roman Polanski. He has worked as a film and music writer and reviewer for over 20 years and frequently contributes to newspapers and magazines on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone has called him "the preeminent author in his field today."

His latest project, MASTERS OF MYSTERY (forthcoming November 2011, Palgrave Macmillan) explores Arthur Conan Doyle's and Harry Houdini's incredible friendship and fascination with Spiritualism.

Reviews

[CL · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read like a conversation with someone who could not make up his mind which topic he wanted to discuss. But that said I did enjoy the story once I got used to the writing style. For instance, I did not know the tidbit on his seeing Elvis on television and wanting to be just like him. I had read stories about his grass roots way of living and admire that about him but there was so much more I thought could have been covered if he had actually interviewed “The Boss”. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.

[Carol Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shockingly frank look at the dark side of an American icon -- Springsteen as you've never seen him before!

[Kenneth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Christopher Sandford lacks the ability and sense on how to write a biography. He will write one solid, informative page, then on the very next page he will descend into a backstage gossip mode and locker room chatter. This goes on back and forth throughout the book, this bi-polar writing style. How much do we need to know about the boss and his groupies? I have read books on the Churchill family and on Joseph P. Kennedy, and the writers have clearly detailed the individual’s sexual habits and behavior in two pages. Then you move on. The Boss is idolized by many, and past authors have gushed over him and lionized him. I was not looking for that. However, the subject should be dignified. The writer should show more class. Sanford has also written books on Mick Jagger, Kurt Cobain, Bowie, Clapton and Sting. I will not be reaching for any of those books. This qualifies as “celebrity gossip”, not a serious biography.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I didn't like about this book:
1) some of the information is incorrect (surprisingly so, for someone who has done even superficial research on Springsteen), which brings into question the validity of several events he relates
2) he seems to go back and forth on his opinions of things: "This album was brilliant," followed by several pages explaining why the album was NOT brilliant. It feels as though he's cut and paste several different views, then forgotten to go back, make citations, and smooth out transitions
3) it's often hard to know what the author is talking about; the writing frequently gets confusing. He makes many statements that need more fleshing out

In spite of this, he does come up with some truly poetic and authentic insights into Springsteen, as both an artist and human being. Probably only for hard-core fans who need to say they've read it all.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spent the last couple of weeks reading a chapter at a time, but couldn't get interested in it, maybe the style of writing is not to my taste. It happens.
A NetGalley Book

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is so poorly written, I am sorry, I simply cannot finish it

[Rory Toohey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review on Legends of Springsteen

[Neil · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This was very disappointing with the author jumping from one part of Springsteen life to another from page to page.
The writing style was not for me and made for a very poor read.
My advice if you want to read about Springsteen. Look somewhere else.

[David LaVaque · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dont' care much for the writing style. But the info is good if you like to peek behind the curtain of your favorite musicians.