That being so, some of the greatest nicknames and the stories behind them remain unknown or simply, speculated to no end. However, when it comes to Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen, that is not the case and it’s thanks to the author, Peter Carlin (Americansongwriter)
Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band’s Early Days
In the early days, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band spent a lot of their days playing Monopoly. During those sessions, Springsteen would bring a plethora of sweet and self-indulgent treats for him and his buddies to share. And consequently, the band nicknamed Springsteen the “Gut Bomb King.”
Springsteen, of course, detested this name. So, in an attempt to subvert and rid himself of this title, he created the nickname we all know him by today. Though, do not take this as Springsteen being vain, as this seemingly just started as a joke. Matter of fact, if it wasn’t for Springsteen’s bandmates and his managerial skills, the name would have not survived the test of time.
Springsteen acquired the nickname "the Boss" during this period, since he took on the task of collecting his band's nightly pay and distributing it amongst his bandmates. The nickname also reportedly sprang from games of Monopoly that Springsteen would play with other Jersey Shore musicians.
The nickname, which initially started as a jovial thing between friends, soon took on a life of its own when he became internationally famous. Springsteen took it upon himself to be the band’s de-facto leader when The E Street Band made their name on the New Jersey circuit. They didn’t have the excess financial resources to employ a tour manager, so instead, Bruce became ‘The Boss’.
On many occasions he has said “ I hate bosses, I hate being called the boss” he also is also a very strong supporter of workers rights, Springsteen even once said, “Unions have been the only powerful and effective voice working people have ever had in this country”.
When the E-Street band first hit the music scene, they were of course without management or an agent. Given their lack of representation, Springsteen took on the role of the band manager and agent who discussed the finances and logistics with any given party. So, the name that he originally appointed to himself became one that his bandmates then later appointed to him.
The nickname is fitting, as Springsteen’s presence, demeanor, voice, and lyrics are very demanding. Even though the band was calling Springsteen by the name for years, it did not become widely known until they released their iconic album, Born To Run. Following their hard launch and their new-found American fandom, different media outlets started diving into Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band’s backstory. So, with a little bit of digging, the nickname was unearthed and as a result, it has stuck with him to this day. Even though the “Gut Bomb King” has a ring to it, his current nickname is far more applicable to his disposition.
