(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University will present a symposium on Saturday, October 28, 2023 that celebrates the release of Springsteen’s landmark second album a half century ago. Titled The 50th Anniversary: The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle, the day-long event will include panel discussions, interviews, a pop up exhibit, and musical performances of the songs on the album performed by regional musicians.
Among the guests participating in the symposium will be original E Street Band members, music industry legends, music historians, and special guests.
“This conference marks the second held in a series of 50th anniversary events that explore and celebrate Springsteen’s early albums and landmark events,” said Bob Santelli, Executive Director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. “Public programs such as this one and the symposium held earlier this year on Bruce’s debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., are part of our core mission.”
“The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle was undeniably a pivotal album in Springsteen’s career. Coming off lackluster sales of his debut album and without a hit single on the horizon, Bruce’s record company was no longer convinced that they still had a future together. The Wild and Innocent would draw on what Bruce did best: he assembled the first version of what would become the legendary E Street Band, penned some of his most lively-spirited songs, and created an upbeat, jazzy, soulfully rocking album,” said Eileen Chapman, Director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. “Not only did it give us concert favorites such as “Rosalita” and “Kitty’s Back,” its importance and connection to the rest of Bruce’s career cannot be disputed.”
The symposium, which is open to the public, will be held in Monmouth University’s Pollak Theatre. Registration is required. The cost for attending the symposium is $100 (4 ticket limit), and includes a limited, special-edition The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle t-shirt. Tickets for the WIESS Symposium go on sale Friday, September 8, at 10:00am at the Monmouth University Box Office located in the Ocean First Bank Center or online here.
The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music serves as the official repository for the musical legacy of Bruce Springsteen. The Archives includes photographs, periodicals, oral histories, rare recordings, historic footage, and artifacts related to Springsteen and the E Street Band. The Center for American Music produces museum exhibitions, seminars, concerts, and other public and educational programs that both explore and celebrate the nation’s rich music tradition.
