Steven Van Zandt and TV-writer brother have street named after them in NJ hometown

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Middletown, New Jersey recognized two hometown stars on Friday when it named a street after brothers Steven and Billy Van Zandt, an actor/musician and Emmy-nominated television writer, respectively.

In an event hosted by Middletown officials, a bright green “Van Zandt Way” sign went up to commemorate the ceremonial renaming of Wilson Avenue to honor the brothers, who grew up in the town.

Steven Van Zandt joined Brigitte Quinn on WCBS 880’s Newsline on Friday to discuss the renaming, noting the steps he and his brother took to find success in their work.

“It’s a little bit surreal … it’s a wonderful honor, of course, you know, because, you know, growing up in that neighborhood it was not like a show business capital of the world,” Steven said.

Steven—who is known for playing guitar in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and starring as series regular Silvio Dante in “The Sopranos”—graduated from Middletown High School and began his career playing music at places like the town’s now-closed Hullabaloo club.

At the club is where Steven first crossed paths with Springsteen, who was playing in his own band at the time. Nearly 60 years later, they are still performing together,

“We’re bigger than ever right now. I mean, can you imagine that after all this time?,” Steven said while discussing the E Street Band’s continued success.

The band, Steven said, does everything it can to put on a great show. “We keep our work ethic. We go on stage with the same attitude that we had when we were 15-years-old, at 25 or 35.”

Billy Van Zandt has starred in and wrote plays that include “You’ve Got Hate Mail,” and has written for television shows like “Martin” and “The Hughleys.”

According to Steven, the duo were lucky to grow up in the circumstances they did in Middletown, which contributed to their success.

“Nice childhood, middle class, and it was that time, you know, that post-WWII period where all of a sudden teenagers were a thing, you know, and teenagers had a chance to kind of explore something new,” he told Newsline.

While the sign has been erected and the honor is real, the ceremony was not an official renaming, city officials said. Despite this technicality, the specialness of the moment was felt by Mayor Tony Perry, president of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Steve Edwards and the dozens of neighbors who showed up to celebrate.

“The dedication of Van Zandt Way points to the enduring legacy of Stevie and Billy Van Zandt, symbolizing their perseverance, creativity, and passion,” Edwards said, according to NJ.com . “Their accomplishments will continue to resonate for generations to come, inspiring future New Jerseyans to realize their dreams.”