Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band is now available to stream on Disney+
A unique insight into Bruce and co.
Last updated 25th Oct 2024
A new documentary film about Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band on tour has now arrived on Disney+ in the UK. The feature-length documentary is called Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band.
The film was directed by Bruce Springsteen’s longtime collaborator Thom Zimny (Springsteen on Broadway, Willie Nelson & Family, Sly), and is produced by Zimny, Jon Landau, Springsteen, Adrienne Gerard and Sean Stuart.
A summary reads: ‘The film begins with a one-of-a-kind look at the band’s preparation process, following them from their earliest rehearsals in Red Bank, New Jersey to performances for tens-of-thousands across continents. All the while, fans get the chance to experience professionally shot footage from the 2023-2024 tour for the first time ever — in addition to hearing firsthand from band members about performing on stage with Springsteen and how they keep the magic of The E Street Band as potent as ever.’
It continues: ‘Springsteen and The E Street Band offer the most in-depth look ever at the creation of their legendary live performances in the new documentary featuring unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to their 2023-2024 world tour.
‘Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band opens a new door to Springsteen’s creative process for fans around the world, sharing fly-on-the-wall footage of band rehearsals and special moments backstage — as well as hearing from Springsteen himself. These conversations follow Springsteen closely as he develops the story he wants to tell with this tour’s setlist — interspersed with rare archival clips of The E Street Band, underscoring themes of life, loss, mortality and community.
‘In this way, it serves as an essential and never-before-seen chapter in an autobiographical series spanning Springsteen’s memoir Born to Run, Springsteen on Broadway, and the films Western Stars and Letter to You.’
Bruce joined Greatest Hits Radio's Simon Mayo to chat about the new documentary, where he talked about the moving moment towards the end, where you get to see him dancing with his mum Adele, who sadly died earlier this year.
He told Simon: "I found that piece of film, and I had it for years on my phone," he explained. "It was just me and my mum one day on the porch, I popped on 'In The Mood' by Glenn Miller, she's a 40s girl, she loves a dance and so off she went.
"And so when she passed away, I found that piece of film, and put it out on the website the day she passed, and said 'Hey, let's put it at the end of this film, because it's really for her'. She had so much faith in me."
Bruce also explained why he wanted to do a road diary, saying that because they filmed so little of the band in their initial run, he'd wanted to document their tours since 2000. "Once the band got back together I said, 'I'm not going to do another project again without filming it', and that was around 2000," he explained.
"So we started to film around then, and I met Thom Zimny which was very important. During the years of videos we made terrible videos, generally because I never quite found the guy who understood my voice and how to translate that to film. Thom Zimny came in we clicked right away, and his instincts, both emotional and technical ability."
Look through Bruce Springsteen's legendary career timeline:
1964: Inspiration and career beginnings
In 1964, legendary Liverpool band The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and played hits including 'I Saw Her Standing There' and 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' to a record-breaking audience of 73 million Americans.
One of those viewers was a young Bruce Springsteen who shortly after the performance went to buy first guitar. In the following years, he went on to play local venues as part of a number of bands including the Rogues, Castiles and Earth.
1969 - 1972: Label attention and forming the E Street Band
From 1969 to 1971, Bruce played with his band Steel Mill in venues across the Jersey Shore, Nashville, Richmond and California and he recorded three original tracks with the group.
During the next couple of years, Bruce performed with his bands Dr. Zoom & the Sonic Boom, the Sundance Blues Band and the Bruce Springsteen Band. This musical and lyrical evolution would gain the attention of his future record label, Columbia Records, who he auditioned for in 1982.
1972-1973: Getting signed and forming the E Street Band
Bruce Springsteen formed a new band for the recording of his debut album 'Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.' This band would eventually be known as the E Street Band, who went on to be Bruce's backing band for the remainder of his career.
Bruce signed to Columbia Records in 1972 and released his debut album January 1973. He released the follow up album, 'The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle' just eight months later!
1975: Born To Run
Despite taking 14 months to record, 'Born To Run' was released in August 1975 and became Bruce's breakthrough album, catapulting the singer-songwriter to international stardom and sell-out shows.
The album's title track 'Born To Run' remains one of Bruce's biggest hits!
1979: Madison Square Garden
In September 1979, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band took part in the historic No Nukes concert, organised by the Musicians United for Safe Energy collective, who protested against nuclear power.
A live album and documentary film was subsequently released documenting the performance. In 2021, it was announced that the performances will also be released as a new live film.
1984: Born in the USA
Springsteen released his seminal album and most famous work 'Born In The USA' in 1984. The LP sold over 30 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The title track and single 'Dancing In The Dark' were stand-out successes, with the latter's music video featuring a young Courteney Cox, who would later find fame in TV show 'Friends'.
The song also earned Bruce his very first GRAMMY Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance in 1984. Bruce has gone on to win 20 GRAMMY Awards in his career so far.
1999: Bruce is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame
In 1999, Bruce Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside artists including Sir Paul McCartney, George Martin, Dusty Springfield, Curtis Mayfield and Billy Joel.
He also reformed the E Street Band this year and they embarked on a huge reunion tour, which lasted over a year.
2002: 'The Rising' and The Rising Tour
In July 2022, Bruce Springsteen released his first studio album alongside the E Street Band in 18 years. The band toured the album playing huge arenas in the USA and Europe.
The album won the GRAMMY Award for Best Rock Album and its title track won the GRAMMY for Best rock Song and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
2008: Bruce supports Barack Obama's presidential campaign
Bruce supported Barack Obama's campaign to become the 44th President of the United States in 2008. He played acoustic performances in support of the campaign throughout 2008 and upon Obama's Inaugural Celebration, Bruce was the first to perform at the ceremony.
The pair remain good friends, and in 2021 are publishing a book based on their hugely successful podcast.
February 2009: Super Bowl XLIII
After previously declining invites to play the prestigious Superbowl halftime show, Bruce finally agreed to perform and on 1st February 2009 wowed fans around the world with hits like 'Born To Run', 'Glory Days' and 'Working on a Dream'.
December 2009: Kennedy Centre Honours
On 6th December 2009, Bruce received the Kennedy Centre Honours, an annual honour given to those in the arts for their lifetime of contribution to American culture.
Barack Obama introduced Bruce by saying: "I'm the president but he's The Boss."
In November 2016, Bruce received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.
2016-2017: Autobiography and Springsteen on Broadway
In September 2016, Bruce released his autobiography 'Born to Run' which quickly became a New York Times Best Seller.
In June 2017, the 'Born in the USA' singer announced Springsteen On Broadway - an eight-week run of shows which would commence in Autumn 2017. The show included live performances, stories and excerpts from his autobiography. The production was extended three times and he was honoured with a Special Tony Award in 2018.
In 2021, Springsteen returned to Broadway for another limited run of Springsteen on Broadway shows.
2021: Podcast series with Barack Obama
In February 2021, Bruce announced he would be releasing an eight-part podcast series with former US President and good friend Barack Obama called Renegades: Born in the USA.
The podcast features the singer in conversation with Obama, discussing a wide range of topics. Later in 2021, it was announced that the popular series would be published as a book.
2022: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band announce international tour
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band announced a 2023 international tour, taking them across the United States, Europe and the UK in spring and summer.
2022: Bruce Springsteen announces 'Only The Strong Survive' album
In September, Bruce Springsteen announced that he would be releasing a soul music album. Titled 'Only The Strong Survive', it was released on 11th November with 15 tracks, including reimagined classic soul songs.
Of the album, he said: "My goal is for the modern audience to experience its beauty and joy, just as I have since I first heard it. I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved making it."
2023: 'Springsteen and E Street Band Tour'
Bruce embarked on the 'Springsteen and E Street Band Tour' in 2023, which is a tour with his backing band. It began in Tampa, Florida in February and later came to the UK, with dates in Edinburgh, Birmingham and London.
Unfortunately, Bruce was forced to postpone his September North American tour dates due to being treated for peptic ulcer disease.
2023: Bruce Springsteen receives National Medal of Arts award
Bruce Springsteen received a prestigious National Medal of Arts award from President Biden in March 2023. Bruce was part of the 2021 class of the National Medal of Arts but the ceremony has previously been stalled due to the pandemic.
2023: Bruce Springsteen at BST Hyde Park
Bruce Springsteen gave an amazing performance at two sold-out gigs in Hyde Park, London.
2024: Bruce makes a return to performing
In March 2024, Bruce made a triumphant return to performing with The E Street Band following a six month absence due to health issues. Bruce had previously told fans that he was suffering from peptic ulcer disease, which causes ulcers to form in the stomach and/or small intestine.
2024: Best Of Bruce Springsteen
On 19th April 2024, Bruce released his 'Best of Bruce Springsteen' album, featuring a massive 31 tracks on the digital version, including his hits such as 'Born To Run', 'Badlands' and 'Streets of Philadelphia'.
2024: Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band documentary
In May 2024, it was announced that Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band had an upcoming documentary coming to Disney+ in the UK. The exciting new film - titled Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band - documents the band preparing for their 2023/4 world tour, which saw them perform around the globe, with dates in the UK.
The feature-length documentary was released on Friday 25th October 2024.
2024: Bruce announces three UK shows for 2025
On 1st October 2024, it was announced that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band were set to play a trio of concerts in May and June 2025. The Boss and his legendary band revealed a short run of shows, starting with two nights at Manchester's Co-op Live on Saturday 17th and Tuesday 20th May 2025, then an outdoor concert at Liverpool Anfield Stadium on Wednesday 4th June 2025.
Now read:
Bruce Springsteen: From 'Born to Run' to Broadway 🎸
Bruce Springsteen: Everything you need to know about his incredible career 🎸
Bruce Springsteen talks new music and returning to the UK on tour