Hardly few music fans worldwide are unfamiliar with the legendary American singer, songwriter, and musician Bruce Springsteen. He began his career in the American music industry in the late 1960s, and still, there is no sign of him slowing down his musical career. Nicknamed ‘The Boss,’ Springsteen is famous among people globally for his socially conscious and poetic songs and his zestful musical performances, which sometimes last over four hours in length.

The energetic and inspiring musician Bruce Springsteen was born Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen to Douglas Frederick Springsteen and Adele Ann Springsteen. Both of Bruce Springsteen’s parents played a vital role in making him the artist he is today. But, more than his mom, Springsteen credits his dad, Douglas, for his successful music career. Here, learn some more about Bruce Springsteen’s father, Douglas Fredrick Springsteen, and what he did in the past.

Bruce Springsteen’s Father Was A Bus Driver

The living legend Bruce Springsteen’s father, Douglas Springsteen, was an Army veteran of World War II. After retiring from the service, he held many jobs, including that of a bus driver at San Francisco Airport and a corrections officer. Besides that, Springsteen worked as the communicant of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church located in Freehold.

Douglas Frederick Springsteen had different jobs after leaving the Army. Image Source: Facebook/ Bruce Springsteen.

The graduate of the Lima Roman Catholic Church’s school, Douglas Springsteen, even worked in some factories to put food on his family’s table. He struggled a lot in his life to earn enough dollars to make his financial status stable. However, he never succeeded in doing so, which always made him mentally disturbed. He used to drink ritually every night and constantly rebuked his only son, Bruce Springsteen.

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As Bruce Springsteen’s father, Douglas Frederick Springsteen, was unable to earn enough for his family, his wife, Adele, played the role of their family’s main breadwinner. During an interview, Bruce revealed that his mom used to work as a legal secretary and earned more than his father.

Douglas Fredrick Had Mental Illness Throughout His Life

As mentioned earlier, Bruce Springsteen’s father, Douglas Frederick Springsteen, used to be mentally disturbed for not being able to give his family the good life they deserved. The Rolling Stone magazine notes that he struggled with a severe mental illness that only worsened with the passing time.

While Bruce Springsteen’s mother, Adele, was loving and caring, while his father, Douglas, was an unpredictable bully. He was a regular drinker and used to call his only son, Bruce, an outcast weirdo misfit sissy boy making him suffer from depression since his early childhood. Later, Douglas suffered from Schizophrenia, a mental disorder resulting in him interpreting reality abnormally.

Furthermore, Bruce Springsteen’s father, Douglas, passed away at the age of 73 in 1998 at his home in Belmont, California. Springsteen’s spokesperson, Seth Cohen, denied disclosing the reason for his death or telling any other details. Though Douglas died in California, his funeral mass took place in his hometown, Freehold, New Jersey. Apart from his eldest son Bruce Springsteen, he had two daughters, Virginia Springsteen Shave and Pamela Springsteen, and a couple of grandkids.

The Boss Has Written And Sung Numerous Times In Memory Of His Dad

As a young songwriter, Bruce Springsteen had an extraordinary instinct to transform his autobiography into songs, set-list, and albums. He has written a couple of songs in memory of his dad and his relationship with him. As often mentioned by Bruce in several interviews, his dad inspired his songs and monologues about sullen, angry fathers and strong-willed sons.

One of Bruce Springsteen’s dad songs, ‘My Father House,’ is a complex and moving song about his lost chances and his incomplete desire to reunite with his dad. He wrote that song remembering the time when his father and other family members moved to California while he stayed at their New Jersey home, remembering his parents. Moreover, other songs written by Bruce referring to his dad are Adam Raised a Cain, Mansion on the Hill, and My Hometown.

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