David Sancious facts for kids

David Sancious, born on 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 some of Springsteen's first albums, like Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle.

After leaving the E Street Band in 1974, David started his own band called Tone. He also became a very popular musician who played with many other famous artists. Some of these include Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, and Sting. In 2014, David Sancious was honored by being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.

David Sancious and Bruce Springsteen

David started learning classical piano when he was seven years old. By the time he was 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 different bands with Bruce Springsteen and other future members of the E Street Band.

From 1970 to 1973, David worked as a studio musician in Virginia. He recorded music for commercials and other projects. During this time, he met drummer Ernest Carter. In June 1972, David played keyboards on Bruce Springsteen's first album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J..

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

David's musical style added a special touch to the band's sound. He was inspired by both classical music and jazz. He often used these styles in the introductions or instrumental parts of songs. Bruce Springsteen's second album, The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle, really showed off David's talents. He played an amazing organ solo on "Kitty's Back" and a beautiful piano intro on "New York City Serenade". He also helped arrange the strings for "New York City Serenade" and even played the soprano saxophone on "The E Street Shuffle".

In February 1974, the band's drummer, Vini Lopez, left. David suggested his friend Ernest Carter as the new drummer. Later that year, David and Ernest helped record the song "Born to Run" for Springsteen's third album, Born to Run. Soon after, David and Ernest left the band. It's interesting that the band officially became known as the "E Street Band" only after David, whose family lived on E Street, had left the group.

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

In June 2023, David Sancious mentioned that he was going to appear on a new album by Bruce Springsteen. He also said he expected to tour with Springsteen in 2024 to support the album.

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 and helped them get a record deal with Epic Records.

Tone's first album, Forest of Feelings, was released in 1975. It was produced by Billy Cobham. Tone's music was very different from what David played with Springsteen. Tone explored progressive rock, gospel, and instrumental jazz fusion. Their music was more like bands such as Return to Forever.

Tone released another album called Transformation (The Speed of Love) in 1976. A third album, Dance of the Age of Enlightenment, was recorded but 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 Sancious then released two solo albums, Just As I Thought (1979) and The Bridge (1980). After these, he paused his solo career for a while. On December 14, 1980, David performed a special piano piece in memory of John Lennon, who had recently passed away. This performance was broadcast live on a New York radio station.

Playing with Other Artists

In the 1970s, David Sancious toured and recorded with Stanley Clarke. He played guitar and keyboards in Stanley's band, which also included John McLaughlin and Billy Cobham.

David also worked with producer Narada Michael Walden many times. In the 1980s, David, Narada, and other musicians like Randy Jackson played on albums for artists such as Aretha Franklin and Patti Austin. David also played on several albums for the Italian singer Zucchero Fornaciari.

In the early 1980s, David played with Billy Cobham again as part of Jack Bruce & Friends. He also reunited with Alex Ligertwood when they both played in the band Santana. In 1982, David recorded and toured with Jon Anderson from the band Yes. David's piano and synthesizer playing were featured on Jon's Animation album.

By 1986, David Sancious was a member of Peter Gabriel's touring band. He played with Peter 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 other artists from that tour, including Sting and Youssou N'Dour. He played keyboards on Sting's albums The Soul Cages and Ten Summoner's Tales and toured with him.

David Sancious has also played with many other musicians, including Living Colour, Seal, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, and Hall & Oates.

He released his own albums, Nine Piano Improvisations in 2000 and Cinema in 2005. In 2005, David was interviewed for the Wings for Wheels documentary, which was part of the Born to Run 30th Anniversary Edition re-release.

In 2007 and 2008, David toured with Zucchero Fornaciari. In 2009, he toured Australia, New Zealand, and Japan with Jeff Beck, playing keyboards. In 2016, David Sancious played with Peter Gabriel and Sting on a 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)
• Tracks (1998)
• 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)
• Just as I Thought (1979)
• The Bridge (1982)
• Nine Piano Improvisations (2000)
• Cinema (2005)
• LIVE in the now (2007)
• Eyes Wide Open (2020)

With Eric Clapton

• One More Car, One More Rider (2002)

With Stanley Clarke

• Journey to Love (1975)
• School Days (1976)

With Zucchero Fornaciari

• Rispetto (1986)
• Blue's (1987)
• Oro Incenso & Birra (1989)
• Shake (2001)

With Peter Gabriel

• Passion (1989)
• Us (1992)
• Up (2002)

With Sting

• The Soul Cages (1991)
• Ten Summoner's Tales (1993)

See also

In Spanish: David Sancious para niños