New York City

New York City is where Bruce goes when he wants to take his career to the next level. It begins with trips to play at a club in Greenwich Village and culminates in a pivotal trip to Columbia Records where he eventually signs his first record deal. New York City represents the possibility and promise of success at a national level, outside of the local New Jersey circuit. New York City is where the teenage Bruce Springsteen initially feels he belongs. He finds that he fits well into the late-1960s Greenwich Village music scene. However, he will never truly feel at home in this city and will always return to his New Jersey roots.

Bruce's First Guitar

Bruce's first guitar is a "funky brown model" he bought at the Western Auto store in his hometown. This basic acoustic guitar cost "more money than [he...