David Sancious Reflects on His Departure from E Street Band

In a revealing interview, David Sancious, the original keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, reflects on his decision to leave the group before they achieved monumental success with the iconic album "Born to Run," which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Sancious, who joined Springsteen in the early 1970s, played a significant role in shaping the band's early sound. He contributed to Springsteen's first three albums, including the critically acclaimed "Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ" and "The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle."

The 17-year-old Sancious first met Springsteen in 1971 at the Upstage Club in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where their musical partnership began. Sancious recalls, "I looked at Springsteen and thought: as soon as everybody finds out about this guy, he’s going to blow up. It’s going to go crazy." His intuition proved correct as Springsteen's career skyrocketed, particularly after the release of "Born to Run" in 1975, which catapulted him to global fame.

Despite his contributions to the E Street sound, Sancious ultimately chose to pursue a solo career, spurred by a recording contract with CBS that he could not refuse. "I felt very happy for him, honestly," Sancious said when asked about Springsteen's success after his departure. "I knew it would happen for Bruce." He released his first solo album, "Forest of Feelings," in 1975, which showcased his unique blend of jazz, rock, funk, and classical elements.

Sancious has since toured with many renowned artists, including Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Eric Clapton. He notes that while his solo work did not reach the commercial heights of Springsteen's, his artistic integrity and identity remain intact. "My sense of self as an artist isn’t diminished because I didn’t sell a million records. That’s a narrow definition of success," he stated.

Throughout his career, Sancious maintained a close relationship with Springsteen, collaborating on various projects, including Springsteen's albums "Human Touch" and "Western Stars." They have performed together multiple times, demonstrating their enduring bond.

As Sancious reflects on his journey, he expresses no regrets about his decision to leave the E Street Band. "If I had to do it again, would I do the same thing? Absolutely. Because I didn’t walk away from anything – I walked towards something," he emphasized.

With the 50th anniversary of "Born to Run" approaching, fans and music historians alike continue to explore the impact of Sancious's contributions to the band and the broader rock music landscape. His story serves as a testament to the complex choices artists make in pursuit of their musical passions.