Column: Signing off to the Boss

If you are a Bruce Springsteen fan, this is a great week for you.

Jimmy Fallon is designating this week as a Springsteen tribute week on his show, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” in anticipation of Springsteen’s upcoming LP, “Wrecking Ball,” which will be released in March.

Springsteen, commonly known as “The Boss,” performed Monday and will perform Friday on the show.

Along with performances by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, two artists will cover Springsteen. Kenny Chesney will play on tonight’s show, and Elvis Costello will play a tribute to The Boss on Thursday. Wednesday’s guest has yet to be announced.

So, why would someone dedicate an entire week to Bruce Springsteen?

A simple answer would be, “Because he’s awesome!”

I grew up with Bruce Springsteen blasting from our living room speakers and accompanying the Finkel family on our summer road trips.

In a way, The Boss’ songs made up the soundtrack to my childhood. My dad, Leon, is a huge fan. He took my whole family to see Springsteen a few years ago, and we even have a Fender Telecaster (Bruce’s iconic guitar) signed by The Boss himself.

It reads: “To Leon, our biggest fan.”

My dad’s appreciation for Bruce Springsteen’s music has had a great impact on my view of music and the people I look up to as artists. With Springsteen’s music being a constant influence in my life, I applaud Jimmy Fallon for making this tribute week occur.
However, many readers might not understand. For this reason, I will provide the more complex answer to the question.

To begin: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band is one of the most important bands in rock history. The Boss rose to fame in the early 1970s — a time when rock ’n’ roll was thought to be dying.

Their third album, “Born to Run,” gave Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band the fame and recognition they are known for today. “Born in the USA” was a Vietnam protest song and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first hit.

Springsteen is notorious for writing topical and political songs, such as “Born in the USA,” that have the power to connect to people on a deeper and more personal level.

After the tragedy of Sept. 11, Bruce Springsteen wrote one of his most powerful albums, “The Rising,” which perfectly reflected the devastation our country felt during that time.

He also has written many famous songs for other artists, including Patti Smith’s “Because the Night.”

Springsteen’s music has evolved throughout the past four decades, but he remains true to his rock ’n’ roll roots.

If you think Springsteen is just music for your parents, make sure to check out his performances on “Late Night” this week.

If I were home, I know I would be watching them and singing along with my dad.

­— bafinkel@indiana.edu