Bruce Springsteen music centre set to open in New Jersey

A new museum dedicated to rock legend Bruce Springsteen and the history of American music has opened in Long Branch, New Jersey, near Asbury Park, the coastal town that helped shape the musician’s career.
The Bruce Springsteen Centre for American Music celebrates both Springsteen’s legacy and the wider story of American music. Spread across two levels, the museum explores genres including blues, country, jazz and hip-hop, while highlighting influential artists who used music as a form of social commentary and protest.
Visitors are welcomed by a short film in which Springsteen reflects on his role in a long tradition of musical storytellers. The museum’s design was inspired by themes found in his autobiography, Born to Run and throughout his songwriting.
Among the exhibits are a gold jacket once owned by Elvis Presley, a saxophone played by John Coltrane, a guitar belonging to Eddie Van Halen and a cap worn by Chuck D. Many items were loaned by artists or their estates.
The $53 million museum, largely funded by donations from Springsteen supporters, will also house the artist’s archives. Interactive displays, listening stations and touchscreens allow visitors to explore a wide range of musical styles and eras.
The upper floor traces Springsteen’s career, from his early performances at Monmouth University and the formation of the E Street Band to his breakthrough in the 1970s and the success of his landmark 1984 album, Born in the USA.
A major section examines the album’s title track, often misunderstood as a patriotic anthem despite its criticism of the treatment of Vietnam War veterans. Visitors can also explore a virtual library featuring books that influenced Springsteen and experiment with music production in a replica recording studio.
The museum will also launch a temporary exhibition, Chimes of Freedom: Politics, Protest and the Power of Song, exploring the relationship between music, activism and social change. — AFP