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Glory Days: The Bruce Springsteen Story
How did critically acclaimed rocker Bruce Springsteen achieve icon status in the 1980s? Filled with candid comments from Springsteen, a behind-the-scenes perspective, and perceptive commentary, Glory Days chronicles both Bossmania and the context in which it blossomed. 63 photos.
424 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 9, 2011
Marsh writes best on his knees -- and he swallows!
November 11, 2018
As I continue my read every book we own project, I am trying to knock out some of our non-fiction. I probably bought this book off a big box bookstore clearance table sometime in the late 80s. 30 years and 4 moves later, I'm finally reading it.
I'm a Bruce fan and I really wanted to like and enjoy this book, but it's just too boring and pointless. I gave up after about 44 pages, with still about 400 to go. The vignettes really tell you nothing about the author's good buddy Bruce Springsteen. And at this point, nobody cares about a city by city recap of the 1983 European tour. If anyone ever did.
The book is subtitled Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s. It was published in 1987, so there were still 2.5 years of the 80s left, but that didn't seem to bother anyone.
It starts in old school Rolling Stone scholarly prose, which Dave Marsh does perfectly true to style. Maybe that was more palatable back when there wasn't much to read or do. In 2018, it just a chore to get through.
I'm a Bruce fan and I really wanted to like and enjoy this book, but it's just too boring and pointless. I gave up after about 44 pages, with still about 400 to go. The vignettes really tell you nothing about the author's good buddy Bruce Springsteen. And at this point, nobody cares about a city by city recap of the 1983 European tour. If anyone ever did.
The book is subtitled Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s. It was published in 1987, so there were still 2.5 years of the 80s left, but that didn't seem to bother anyone.
It starts in old school Rolling Stone scholarly prose, which Dave Marsh does perfectly true to style. Maybe that was more palatable back when there wasn't much to read or do. In 2018, it just a chore to get through.
September 9, 2016
Marsh barely restrains himself from toppling into blathering fandom in this account of Springsteen's 80s heyday. (Qualifier: Marsh's wife works for Springsteen as a publicist, so the positive tone in this book is to be expected.) For the most part, it's a page-turner, packed full of insider info for fans interested in Bruce's early years. Most fascinating is the account of the recording of "Nebraska," Springsteen's harrowing 1983 acoustic masterpiece recorded on a portable 4-track tape machine in his house.
February 18, 2017
A perfect post surgery book with writing so amazingly awful at times: 'It starts with a sound sharp and cruel as the first slap on a baby's fanny' and so drunk on Boss Kool-Aid that you swear if Bruce farted on stage, Marsh could do 20 pages on why it was full of artistic integrity. Bruce would give $10,000 to a charity on a show that grossed TWO MILLION and we get a chapter on how wonderful he was. I love Bruce but this is so over the top that even a fan has to shake his head. Hint: it probably reads better on pain meds.
September 16, 2012
When I finished reading Dave Marsh's first book about Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run, I immediately dove into Glory Days. The first book covered Bruce's life, music, and touring career from its beginning through 1975 and the Born to Run album. This one takes us forward through 1986, Born in the USA and Live 1975-85.
I seek inspiration from Springsteen as an artist. He is a rock & roller. I'm an author. What we have in common has little to do with the size of our respective audiences, and everything to do with our commitment to integrity in our work and in the distribution of our work. The combination of Springsteen and Marsh is indeed an inspiration for anyone who creates art in whatever form they choose. In an often corrupt (and corrupting) world, how does one stay true to one's vision and heart; to one's inner voice? This book will help any artist seeking answers to these questions.
Glory Days is a book to savor. I did.
I seek inspiration from Springsteen as an artist. He is a rock & roller. I'm an author. What we have in common has little to do with the size of our respective audiences, and everything to do with our commitment to integrity in our work and in the distribution of our work. The combination of Springsteen and Marsh is indeed an inspiration for anyone who creates art in whatever form they choose. In an often corrupt (and corrupting) world, how does one stay true to one's vision and heart; to one's inner voice? This book will help any artist seeking answers to these questions.
Glory Days is a book to savor. I did.
December 25, 2023
“Springsteen’s idea of what a rock concert should be is fairly simple - it should be Christmas, something anticipated, slow-coming, cherished and festive.”
“I can hear that clock tickin’ away. It says, ‘BOSS, you’re 30… 31… 32… 33… 34… 35… 36…’ when he reaches his actual age, he groans and flails even harder at the Fender. But then his face brightens again as he looks to Clarence Clemons, standing at his right. ‘Big Man,’ he hollers, shaking his fist. ‘We’re adults, man!’”
“Right on,” says the Big Man.
“We’re ADULTS!”
“Right on!”
“Right on,” says Bruce quite happily. “Let’s dance!”
“I can hear that clock tickin’ away. It says, ‘BOSS, you’re 30… 31… 32… 33… 34… 35… 36…’ when he reaches his actual age, he groans and flails even harder at the Fender. But then his face brightens again as he looks to Clarence Clemons, standing at his right. ‘Big Man,’ he hollers, shaking his fist. ‘We’re adults, man!’”
“Right on,” says the Big Man.
“We’re ADULTS!”
“Right on!”
“Right on,” says Bruce quite happily. “Let’s dance!”
December 8, 2019
Consider this a press report from the front lines, when Bruce mania was at its height. Covering a period of four albums from The River to the Live 1975-1985 box set, this brings alive Bruce's breakout from cult rock star to godhood. Marsh is sympathetic yet critical, though he tends to go on longer than he needs to. Trump AG Jeff Sessions gets a dishonorable mention 400 pages in. While it's dated, it holds up well enough.
September 5, 2025
As I continue my read every book we own project, I am trying to knock out some of our non-fiction. I probably bought this book off a big box bookstore clearance table sometime in the late 80s. 30 years and 4 moves later, I'm finally reading it.
I'm a Bruce fan and I really wanted to like and enjoy this book, but it's just too boring and pointless. I gave up after about 44 pages, with still about 400 to go. The vignettes really tell you nothing about the author's good buddy Bruce Springsteen. And at this point, nobody cares about a city by city recap of the 1983 European tour. If anyone ever did.
The book is subtitled Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s. It was published in 1987, so there were still 2.5 years of the 80s left, but that didn't seem to bother anyone.
It starts in old school Rolling Stone scholarly prose, which Dave Marsh does perfectly true to style. Maybe that was more palatable back when there wasn't much to read or do. In 2018, it just a chore to get through.
I'm a Bruce fan and I really wanted to like and enjoy this book, but it's just too boring and pointless. I gave up after about 44 pages, with still about 400 to go. The vignettes really tell you nothing about the author's good buddy Bruce Springsteen. And at this point, nobody cares about a city by city recap of the 1983 European tour. If anyone ever did.
The book is subtitled Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s. It was published in 1987, so there were still 2.5 years of the 80s left, but that didn't seem to bother anyone.
It starts in old school Rolling Stone scholarly prose, which Dave Marsh does perfectly true to style. Maybe that was more palatable back when there wasn't much to read or do. In 2018, it just a chore to get through.
March 31, 2021
Glory Days: Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s is a close look at Bruce Springsteen at his peak. It dives deep into the creation of Springsteen's most iconic records as well as painting a vivid picture of the energetic live shows.
I recommend this book to any Springsteen fans.
I recommend this book to any Springsteen fans.
November 16, 2021
Tedious and long winded at times but still an insightful account of Bruce Springsteen at the height of his professional career, an altitude he has yet to come down from.
Remember Bruce's pledge, "Nobody wins unless everybody wins."
Remember Bruce's pledge, "Nobody wins unless everybody wins."
June 4, 2025
I have the copy of Two Hearts which contains this an Born to Run. I was able to finish Born and it wasn't a too bad book, but I can't get into this one. Not even two chapters in and skimming, it looks like a slog.
August 17, 2018
Didn’t really grab me.
March 7, 2022
This a very good account of the era Springsteen's career blew up.
September 22, 2024
This book is quite hagiographical in it's treatment of Springsteen, which most fans are.
I wonder what the author thinks of his world from Tunnel of Love and after.
I wonder what the author thinks of his world from Tunnel of Love and after.
February 18, 2017
Dave Marsh is a brilliant music writer. This is an older book that my friend Laurencia gave to me before she left town. The book covers Bruce's career from about 1983 thru the end of the decade, and the live album. This period showed a huge growth in Bruce's music and his political understanding, especially the neglect of Vietnam veterans, the homeless, and hunger in the USA. It shows how Bruce dived into these issues to truly understand the root causes, and what can be done to help. He got to know the local community leaders, spending hours in conversations with them. And how he worked up intros to songs on what people could do to help, and to make sure they visited the community groups booth in the lobbies. The book gave me a deeper understanding of Bruce's community work and from where his music of this era grew out of. Maybe not for casual readers, but certainly for those who like Bruce's music and would like to understand it a bit more.
June 19, 2009
I gave this book 5 stars, not because it's a perfect book, but because I found it very moving and I think it'll stay with me. I'm not sure someone who isn't already a Bruce/E Street Band fan would feel the same way, but Dave Marsh certainly knows how to paint a picture, and he also knows when to stand back and let his subject paint one.
Maybe it was a little too uncritical, but it was a lovely book.
Maybe it was a little too uncritical, but it was a lovely book.
November 5, 2007
read in high school, told me what i needed to know, i guess
November 14, 2009
Read it for the subject matter, of course, because I idolize Bruce. Also trust Dave Marsh because of his long term interest in rock and roll. Have to read all the Bruce bios though.
April 7, 2010
If you enjoy the music, you will love the book.
September 23, 2012
Very informative look into the Boss' life during the '80s. Must read for any fan.
January 4, 2015
Leido en la versión en castellano editada por Ultramar. Excelente crónica sobre todo de las giras por grandes estadios, cuando Bruce se convierte en leyenda de masas.
June 4, 2023
Still the definitive biography of Bruce at that point in time
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews