Steven Van Zandt talks new memoir, prospect of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tour & more

Steven Van Zandt, also known at Little Steven and Miami Steve, has written a new memoir, “Unrequited Infatuations,” looking back on this long history with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, his role as Silvio Dante on “The Sopranos” and much more.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – No less a legend than Bob Dylan is featured in a testimonial for Steven Van Zandt’s new memoir, “Unrequited Infatuations,” writing hat “Stevie proves it time and time again he’s the man to know.”

Van Zandt, also known at Little Steven and Miami Steve, certainly has a story worth knowing. And fans probably don’t know it as well they they may think.

Van Zandt, 70, is best known as the trusted consigliere for Bruce Springsteen (in real life) and Tony Soprano (on screen). In its 403 pages “Unrequited Infatuations” details his adventures in those roles but also so many others, from becoming a prisoner of rock ‘n’ roll as a youth in New Jersey to negotiating cooperation between South African dissidents while making his “Sun City” protest project in 1985.

That’s all on top of co-founding Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, writing and producing for other artists, launching his Underground Garage brand celebrating under-the-radar rock and pop artists, starting a record label (Wicked Cool) and operating the TeachRock initiative to have rock ‘n’ roll taught to K-12 students.

Van Zandt also discusses his work with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the book. He was inducted with the E Street Band in 2014. He also serves on the Rock Hall’s nominating committee and pushed through the Jukebox category honoring individual songs.

Running throughout the book are expressions of regret about his temporary departure from Springsteen’s E Street Band during the early 80s -- “the night before payday” of “Born in the U.S.A.’s” success -- and the uncertainty and even fear that followed.

But if he hadn’t, as he writes, Van Zandt may well have missed out on the many impressive, and sometimes surprising, accomplishments that fill “Unrequited Infatuations”...

Why a book, and why now?

Van Zandt: I think it was the convenience, or inconvenience, of the quarantine. I got management for the first time, and it was their suggestions. I tried it, like 10 years ago, and couldn’t really figure it out. But reconnecting with my own life’s work these last few years, in ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, really helped me find some closure and connect the dots on everything. I basically rewrote the whole thing; I didn’t use much of what I had done 10 years ago at all. And it gave me a chance to feel a little bit better about my crazy life, y’know? (laughs)

There’s a lot of perspective in the book as well, a lot of insight into music and what goes on behind the scenes, and even some world history and political intrigue.

Van Zandt: I just wanted to make sure it was more than just my narrative -- which is, frankly, the least interesting part of it to me. I wanted to capture some of the history that I basically lived through, most of rock history other than the first decade, and also share some of the things I’ve observed along the way, the craft stuff. I thought, “Let’s try to make the book useful,” and we worked really hard. I wanted to do something that was more than a music book, that would read like a Dan Brown novel where you don’t know what’s coming next, ‘cause that’s how my life has been.

If there’s a theme in “Unrequited Infatuations” it’s how you deal with the decision to leave the E Street Band back in the ‘80s, something you find yourself questioning and even castigating yourself about in these pages.

Van Zandt: Well, it was one, big life-changing moment where you veered off this rather linear sort of path...and then suddenly you’re off in this other direction where you feel like you pretty much accomplished everything you’re gonna accomplish in your life. Up until writing the book I’ve always had very, very strong feelings that I did the wrong thing on one hand by leaving. And at the same time, you do all these things -- you do the solo records, you become an artist, you do “The Sopranos,” you do “Lilyhammer,” you get (Nelson) Mandela out of jail. You do a lot of things that certainly justified your existence at that point. So, there’s always been that paradox, but in the end, you feel a lot better about it. But at the same time, you wish you could’ve done both.

It was interesting to read that, for a minute you became “persona totally non grata” in the E Street camp when you left. But the bad blood was repaired pretty quickly, right?

Van Zandt: Yeah, we recovered within a couple months, just ‘cause the friendship was strong enough to withstand the occasional disagreement.

Bruce is interviewing you for two virtual events to promote the book this week. Can we expect some arguments -- just for the hell of it, even?

Van Zandt: (laughs) Maybe, we’ll see. I’ll respond to whatever he wants to talk about. It’s a funny situation, with both of us. We’ll see where it goes.

Another surprise, to many, will be that David Chase originally wanted you to portray Tony Soprano in “The Sopranos.”

Van Zandt: I don’t talk about it that often.... but, yeah, it was one of those weird things. (Chase) wanted unusual, new faces and he really thought I could do it, and out of pure ignorance naiveté I thought I could do it. Luckily HBO wouldn’t let him (chuckles) so we ended up with one of the greatest actors of all time, Jimmy G (Gandolfini). (Chase) still wanted me in the show and I actually said to David, “Listen, I’m feeling pretty guilty about taking an actor’s job here,” and he said, “OK, in that case I’ll write you in a part that doesn’t exist,” and (Silvio Dante) was born.

It’s not lost on anybody, including you, that Silvio was to Tony what you were, and are, to Springsteen in a way.

Van Zandt: Sure. I think David Chase picked up on my relationship with Bruce, so I was able to very naturally do that role ‘cause I know exactly what those dynamics are, knowing you’re the only guy who doesn’t want to be the boss. You’re the guy who has to bring him bad news occasionally, ‘cause you’re the only guy who doesn’t fear him. Those were attributes I had and knew those dynamics very, very well, and David turned it into the drama that he did.

What do you think of “The Many Saints of Newark,” the prequel?

Van Zandt: I saw early cuts of it. It’s just terrific. People are gonna love it. It’s been awhile, but it was great to relive those characters even though they’re, whatever, 10, 15, 20 years younger. It’s fun to revisit that world. And you couldn’t hope for better casting with (Michael Gandolfini), you know what I mean? The guy’s son turns out to be perfect to play his father’s character.

There’s a kind of parallel there, too, with Jake Clemons joining the E Street Band after Clarence died.

Van Zandt: Exactly. You’re just thankful that guy is there, because if not, then who? And how do you get an audience to accept them? It’s tricky business. When it’s the nephew in Jake’s case or the son in this (Gandolfini) case, it’ just makes things so much emotionally smoother. It makes a big difference.

So, are we going to see the E Street Band in ‘22?

Van Zandt: Well, we’ll see. I think it’ll depend on this damn virus thing. It’s very hard to plan these days, very hard. But it’s possible. All I can say is I’m gonna give Bruce first priority; If he wants to go out, I’m gonna do that for sure, and if not, I’m gonna be looking for another TV show. At the same time, I’d like to keep the Disciples of Soul together; It’s such a great band, so we’ll see where things go. But certainly, E Street’s a priority if Bruce wants to do that and COVID cooperates, which is still an unknown, man. We’re not handling this very well -- the rest of the world, either.

Are you writing for the Disciples of Soul in the meantime?

Van Zandt: No, I tend not to do that. I don’t like to carry stuff around. I usually write with specific purpose when I want to have a reason to. If I know I’m gonna do a tour, then I’ll write a record. I just don’t like to write things and have ‘em lying around. They become a burden. So, I write when there’s a reason to.

What are the prospects on the TV front?

Van Zandt: I’ve written five scripts, and I think they’re all very good. They’re all hits, I think. I’ve got another 25 treatments. And once in awhile somebody will call me with a script they’ve got for a show, but nothing’s really appealed to me yet. And maybe we’ll continue “Lilyhammer” one day, who knows? That thing gets discovered every day. That crazy show is probably 10 times bigger than when it came out. It’s the most unpredictable show in history, so it’s completely open-ended...like a lot of this crazy life has been.

Stevie Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen will discuss Van Zandt’s new memoir, “Unrequited Infatuations,” at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28. Get tickets via vanzandt.unisonevents.com. Van Zandt will discuss the book again with Joel Selvin at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30. Tickets via commondwealthclub.org/events.

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