From Earth to Steel Mill to E Street
In the later ‘60s, Springsteen was part of a group called Earth, which was a Cream-style power trio. During Bruce’s short stint in college, he formed the band Child (later called Steel Mill) with some local musicians, including drummer Vini’ Mad Dog’ Lopez and keyboardist Danny Federici. The band was later joined by guitarist Steve Van Zandt. They mainly played in clubs in New Jersey.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in concert at the University of California, Santa Barbara, America – 1970s. Photo By Andre Csillag/Shutterstock
But, Springsteen disbanded Steel Mill in 1971. In 1972, Springsteen formed a new band to record his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. That band eventually came to be known as the infamous E Street Band, although that name wasn’t used until 1974. It was during this period that Springsteen acquired the nickname “The Boss.”