David Sancious facts for kids

David Sancious (born November 30, 1953) is an American musician. He is known for playing many instruments, especially keyboards and guitar. David was an early member of Bruce Springsteen's famous band, the E Street Band. He played on Springsteen's first three albums and later on others like Human Touch (1992) and Western Stars (2019).

In 1974, David left the E Street Band to start his own group called Tone. They released several albums. After that, he became a popular musician who played for many other famous artists. These include Stanley Clarke, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, and Sting. In 2014, David Sancious was honored and joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.

Working with Bruce Springsteen

David started learning classical piano when he was seven. By age eleven, he had taught himself to play the guitar. As a teenager, he became part of the music scene in Asbury Park, New Jersey. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he played in bands with Bruce Springsteen.

From 1970 to 1973, David worked as a studio musician in Virginia. He met drummer Ernest Carter there. In June 1972, David played keyboards on Springsteen's first album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.

The E Street Band got its name from the street where David's mother lived. Bruce Springsteen and his bandmates used her garage at 1107 E Street in Belmar, New Jersey for practice. David joined the band full-time in June 1973.

David's playing added a special touch to the band's sound. He was influenced by both Mozart (classical music) and Thelonious Monk (jazz). He often used classical or jazz styles in his solos. Springsteen's second album, The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle, showed off David's skills. He played an organ solo on "Kitty's Back" and a beautiful piano intro on "New York City Serenade". He even played the soprano saxophone on "The E Street Shuffle".

In February 1974, the band's drummer left. David suggested his friend, Ernest Carter, as a replacement. Later that year, David and Ernest helped record the song "Born to Run" for Springsteen's third album. Soon after, they both left the band. The E Street Band officially took its name only after David, whose family lived on E Street, had left.

David Sancious was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10, 2014. He performed with Bruce Springsteen and the band at the ceremony. He also played with Peter Gabriel, who was also inducted that night.

In June 2023, David shared that he might appear on a new Bruce Springsteen album. He also expects to tour with Springsteen in 2024.

David Sancious and Tone

In August 1974, David Sancious and Ernest Carter left the E Street Band. They formed their own band called Tone with bassist Gerald Carboy. Bruce Springsteen supported David's new band. He helped music companies hear Tone's demo songs, which led to a record deal.

Tone's first album, Forest of Feelings, came out in 1975. Tone's music was very different from what David played with Springsteen. They explored progressive rock, gospel music, and jazz fusion. Their style was more like bands such as Return to Forever.

Another album, Transformation (The Speed of Love), followed in 1976. A third album was recorded but was not released until 2004 due to a disagreement between record labels. Tone released one more album, True Stories, in 1978 before the band broke up.

David then released two solo albums, Just As I Thought (1979) and The Bridge (1980). On December 14, 1980, David performed a special piano piece. It was a tribute to John Lennon, who had recently passed away. This performance was broadcast live on the radio.

Session and Touring Musician

A "session musician" is someone who plays music for recordings or live shows for many different artists. David Sancious became a very popular session and touring musician.

In the 1970s, he toured and recorded with Stanley Clarke. He played guitar and keyboards in a band that included John McLaughlin.

In 1977, David played on the first album by Narada Michael Walden. He worked with Walden many times in the 1980s. They played on recordings for artists like Aretha Franklin and Patti Austin. David also played on several albums for the Italian singer Zucchero Fornaciari.

In the early 1980s, David played with Jack Bruce & Friends. He also joined Santana for a time. In 1982, he recorded and toured with Jon Anderson from the band YES.

By 1986, David was part of Peter Gabriel's touring band. He played with Gabriel during the Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour. This tour also featured Bruce Springsteen, and David joined the E Street Band on stage several times. He also recorded new music with Springsteen that appeared on the albums Human Touch and Tracks.

David also recorded and performed with Sting and Youssou N'Dour. He played keyboards on Sting's albums The Soul Cages and Ten Summoner's Tales.

Other famous artists David has worked with include Living Colour, Seal, Eric Clapton, and Hall & Oates.

David released his own piano albums, Nine Piano Improvisations (2000) and Cinema (2005). In 2005, he was featured in a documentary about Springsteen's Born to Run album. In 2007, he released LIVE in the now, which featured recordings of his live performances.

From 2007 to 2008, David toured with Zucchero Fornaciari. In 2009, he toured Australia, New Zealand, and Japan with the famous guitarist Jeff Beck. In 2016, David played with Peter Gabriel and Sting on their co-headlined tour.

Discography

With Bruce Springsteen

• Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973)
• The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (1973)
• Born to Run (1975)
• Human Touch (1992)
• Greatest Hits (1995)
• Tracks (1998)
• 18 Tracks (1998)
• The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003)
• Western Stars (2019)

David Sancious and Tone

• Transformation (The Speed of Love) (1976)
• Dance of the Age of Enlightenment (1977)
• True Stories (1978)

David Sancious

• Forest of Feelings (1975)
• David Sancious (1976)
• David Sancious – The Chelsea Demos (1977) (unauthorized bootleg)
• Just as I Thought (1979)
• The Bridge (1982, Elektra/Musician)
• Nine Piano Improvisations (2000)
• Cinema (2005)
• LIVE in the now (2007)
• Eyes Wide Open (2020)

With Jack Bruce and Friends

• I've Always Wanted to Do This (1980)

With Santana

• Beyond Appearances (1985) – rhythm guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, guitar. Co-writer of song "Brotherhood".

David Sancious / Zucchero

• Snackbar Budapest (soundtrack) (1988)

With Eric Clapton

• 2001 Reptile tour
• Clapton Live at Budokan (2001)
• One More Car, One More Rider (2002)

With Stanley Clarke

• Journey to Love (1975)
• School Days (1976)
• Live 1976–1977 (1976)
• Hideaway (1988)
• The Bass-ic Collection (1997)
• Guitar & Bass (2004)
• Trios (2004)

With France Gall

• Live at the Olympia in Paris (1996)
• Concert Privé M6 (1997)

With Zucchero Fornaciari

• Rispetto (1986)
• Blue's (1987)
• Oro Incenso & Birra (1989)
• Zucchero (1990)
• Live at the Kremlin (1991)
• Miserere (1992)
• Diamante (1994)
• Spirto DiVino (1995)
• The Best of Zucchero (1996)
• Shake (2001)
• Zucchero & Co (2004)

With Peter Gabriel

• Passion (1989)
• Us (1992)
• Up (2002)
• Long Walk Home (2002)
• Hit (2003)

With Sting

• The Soul Cages (1991)
• Ten Summoner's Tales (1993)
• Demolition Man live EP (1993)

With Jon Anderson

• Animation (1982)

With Francis Dunnery

• The Gulley Flats Boys (2006)

With Robbie Dupree

• Robbie Dupree with David Sancious (2003)

Images for kids

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  A robot, symbolizing technology and learning.

See also

In Spanish: David Sancious para niños