A labor of love, "The Ties That Bind" is an encyclopedic examination of the people, places, events, and recordings significant in the artistry and thirty-plus year career of one of America’s most eminent and enduring rock icons. Ranging from the Academy Awards to Warren Zevon and all points in between (including the mighty E Street Band), the encyclopedia examines all aspects of the Springsteen universe, including artistic, intellectual, and personal relationships, influences and the influenced, significant others, career evolution, recordings, side ventures, political forays, geographic bases, and, of course, legendary shows and venues. With 300 entries (plus sidebars) and 100 photos (many previously unpublished), this is the first book that systematically and objectively chronicles Springsteen’s life and music. Plus, "The Ties That Bind" provides lists of concert appearances, television appearances, and E Street Band tribute bands and tribute albums; the text of Springsteen’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame speeches; and a lyric index, amid other comprehensive indexing. Damon Gough (Badly Drawn Boy) and Mike Mills (of R.E.M.) each contribute the nicely written forewords. Award-winning journalist, Gary Graff, is assisted by an elite ensemble of music writers hailing from Backstreets magazine, Rolling Stone, No Depression, and elsewhere, including Chris Phillips, Steve Knopper, Robert Santelli, Daniel Durchholz, Erik Flannigan, Robert Bader, Michael Norman, Jonathan Pont