David Sancious, a pioneering musician and a key figure in the early days of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, recently opened up about his journey through music, race, and artistic identity. Born to a musical family, his childhood revolved around sound and rhythm. At only five years old, he relocated to 1105 E Street in Belmar, a home that would set the stage for his lifelong career as a musician.
As a young musician, Sancious often walked to the Upstage club in Asbury Park. There he further plugged into the vigorous local music scene. He jumped at the opportunity to hang out with greats like Garry Tallent, the incredible E-Street bassist. Clarence Clemons collaborated with Sancious and Tallent at the joint, further enhancing the experience of a lifetime. This atmosphere allowed Sancious’s prodigious talent to flourish. As one of the band’s keyboardists and occasional pianist, his soft jazz licks added a rich texture to the developing E Street sound.
Sancious’s contributions to songs such as “New York City Serenade” and “Incident on 57th Street” showcased his unique style and creativity. At 17 years old, Sancious was already four years deep into playing with local bands. Then came the call every musician dreams about, an invitation from Bruce Springsteen to join his new band following the break up of Steel Mill. It was an unexpected stroke of luck and a pivotal moment in his career. He was the first Black man to join the band that was to be known as the E Street Band.
As we learned during our recent conversation with Sancious, his stay with the band was short but transformative. He departed before the release of the iconic “Born to Run,” the album that rocketed Springsteen and his bandmates into superstardom. This premature departure didn’t keep Sancious from paving a highly successful road of his own. In 1975, his music took another turn when he started his solo career with the album Forest of Feelings. This trail-blazing debut unlocked opportunities for him, resulting in tours with giants like Peter Gabriel, Sting, Eric Clapton and Santana.
Over the course of his impressive career, Sancious has enjoyed a fruitful connection with the Boss. He was a big part of Springsteen’s first three albums. In 1988, his profile raised considerably with high-profile appearances including accompanying Springsteen on stage as part of the Human Rights Now! world tour. Most recently, he performed with Springsteen and the E Street Band on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” in November 2022.
Reflecting on his experiences as a Black artist in the music industry, Sancious stated, “You are constantly, completely, 100% aware of being Black – full stop – in any situation.” This consciousness outlined his creative path as he moved through abuse, addiction, recovery, and success.
Now as he reflects on his career, Sancious admits that success isn’t something that can be measured by record sales alone. He filmed himself celebrating one of his singles reaching “No. 78 in the Top 100 for one week.” He further added, “My artist dignity isn’t compromised just because I didn’t move a million records. That’s a very finite, narrow understanding of success and I don’t believe in that.
Sancious expressed the collective energy of collaboration that drove much of his work with Springsteen. “We love working together,” he said. “Whenever the situation allows we do it and we get fantastic results to this day.” This collaboration is a natural extension of their long history and deep respect for each other’s artistry.
In addition, Sancious has spoken of his appreciation for the lessons he’s learned over the course of his life. He noted, “There is a whole life I would have missed out on,” hinting at how his decisions have shaped his identity and career trajectory.
In contemplating his past choices, Sancious affirmed his belief in following one’s path: “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.” His reflections are not only deeply classy, but a powerful reflection on resilience and personal evolution in the industry.
David Sancious has never stopped reinventing himself and continues to carve his musical path. He remained an important force on the E Street Band history and on the larger canvas of American music. His physical impacts can still be felt in the chords of anthems that changed lives. They empower young artists to know they can be their authentic selves.