52 years after their debut,this rock icon is more relevant than ever. There are many ways to examine this, with various methods for determining success. Some will turn to platforms such as Spotify to see which artists have the largest numbers, assome songs have reached over one billion streams.
Others will check the rankings for thebiggest music tours of this century. Of course, there are numerous ways beyond just these to calculate success. However, no matter the method,this rock icon can match it all, as they have been one of the best for decades.
Fromshaping the sound of the genre alongside other incredible musicians in the ‘80sto spreading their message in the 2000s, they’ve never stopped. As times change, they do too. They adapt to new practices, butwhat doesn’t change is the heartbeat that lives inside their music.
Bruce Springsteen’s Last Tour Grossed Nearly $1 Billion
Very Few Artists Can Top This
After his debut record,Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ, in 1973, it didn’t take long for Bruce Springsteen to connect with audiences. By the 1980s, he was one of the greatest superstars in music. It was in this decade thathe would take his career to the next level withBorn in the U.S.A., his 17x platinum album.
With songs such as “Dancing in the Dark” as the backbone, Springsteen would tour this record, achieving his first major touring success. He became thefourth-biggest touring artist of the decade. His success didn’t stop there, as he continued to find his way onto this list in the 21st century, among music’s biggest stars.
In the early 2000s, Springsteen finished in the Top 10 for highest-grossing tours. However, this still wasn’t the last time he would accomplish such heights. In the 2020s, his 2023-2025 tour becamethe third-biggest tour of the decade, earning well over 700 million dollars. The only artists who have topped it so far are Coldplay and Taylor Swift.
These shows haven’t been easy for the iconic rock singer either, as he has had to overcome health issues. Springsteen battled back and was able to complete the performances he intended. With his latest run of shows coming to an end,he has joined a short list of legends to gross over 2.3 billion dollars in their touring careers.
Springsteen Understands What Americana Rock Needs Right Now
His Messages Make Headlines
The Americana genre is often one of the most misunderstood. Often, it mixes many different styles, including folk and roots-rock, rather than focusing on one specific sound. Additionally, the messages that artists such as Bruce Springsteen provide can be confusing, asthey touch on sensitive topics in clever ways.
As Springsteen has grown as an artist, he has never lost touch with the younger version of himself. His songs have always spoken about the things he believed in, andthose beliefs haven’t changed. Instead, they have matured, showcasing his growth, while still tackling the issues he believes should be highlighted.
There was a specific run during his latest tour in 2025 called theLand of Hope and Dreams Tour, during which he made many headlines. Springsteen stepped up to the microphone and unleashed his inner thoughts, which divided many. However, whether one believes in Springsteen’s message or not,the singer is doing exactly what the Americana genre is all about.
Regardless of how much time passes, Springsteen remains true to himself. As a true Americana artist, he continues to share his vision of what his country could be. Although it has stirred up some controversy for him, he won’t stop being authentic, andthat is exactly why he is more relevant than ever, 52 years after his debut.
