Steven Van Zandt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steven Van Zandt
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Van Zandt in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Steven Lento |
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| Born | November 22, 1950 Winthrop, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Origin | Middletown Township, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1968–present |
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Steven Van Zandt (born Steven Lento on November 22, 1950) is an American musician and actor. He is famous for playing guitar and mandolin in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. He is also known by his nicknames Little Steven and Miami Steve.
Many people know him from television. He played the character Silvio Dante in the popular show The Sopranos and Frank Tagliano in Lilyhammer. Van Zandt also leads his own band, called Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul.
In 2014, Van Zandt was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band. He is also a talented songwriter and producer who has worked with many famous artists.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Steven Van Zandt was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts. His family has Italian roots. When he was a boy, his mother remarried, and he took his stepfather's last name, Van Zandt. The family later moved to Middletown Township, New Jersey.
Van Zandt discovered his passion for music at a young age. He was inspired to play guitar after seeing The Beatles and the Rolling Stones on TV in 1964. He said seeing The Beatles was like "The Big Bang of Rock n' Roll."
As a teenager, he was in a car accident that left scars on his head. To cover them, he started wearing large bandanas. This became his signature look that he is known for today.
Music Career
Van Zandt grew up in the New Jersey music scene, where he became good friends with Bruce Springsteen. They played in several bands together before the E Street Band was even formed.
Joining the E Street Band
Van Zandt officially joined the E Street Band on July 20, 1975. He was a big help to Springsteen. For example, he helped create the famous guitar part in the song "Born to Run". He also arranged the horn section for the song "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out".
In 1984, Van Zandt left the E Street Band. He felt the band had become successful, which was his goal, so he decided to leave. He returned to the band when it got back together in 1999 and has been a member ever since. In concerts, he is known for his energetic stage presence and for singing backup vocals with Springsteen.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Before his fame with the E Street Band, Van Zandt helped start another band called Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. He wrote many of their songs, including their most famous one, "I Don't Want to Go Home". He also produced their first three albums, helping to create their unique sound.
Solo Work and Activism
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Van Zandt also has a solo career with his band, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. He has released several albums, including Men Without Women and Voice of America. His music often has a political message.
In 1985, he started a group called Artists United Against Apartheid. Apartheid was a system in South Africa that separated people by race. Van Zandt brought together 49 artists, including Springsteen, U2, and Bob Dylan, to record the song "Sun City". The song was a protest against a resort in South Africa and helped raise awareness about the problems of apartheid.
In 2017, he released the album Soulfire, and in 2019, he released Summer of Sorcery, his first album of new songs in 20 years.
Acting Career
Van Zandt had never acted professionally until 1999. The creator of the TV show The Sopranos, David Chase, saw him at a Hall of Fame ceremony and was impressed by his presence.
The Sopranos
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Chase wrote a special part for Van Zandt in The Sopranos. He played Silvio Dante, a tough but loyal advisor to the main character. Van Zandt's real-life wife, Maureen, even played his on-screen wife, Gabriella. The show was a huge success and made him famous as an actor.
Lilyhammer
In 2011, Van Zandt starred in a series called Lilyhammer, which was one of the first original shows on Netflix. He played a former mobster who moves to Norway under the witness protection program. Van Zandt also co-wrote and was an executive producer for the show.
Other Projects
Beyond music and acting, Van Zandt has been involved in many other projects.
Radio Host
Since 2002, he has hosted a radio show called Little Steven's Underground Garage. The show plays garage rock music from the 1950s to today. He also directs two radio channels on Sirius Satellite Radio.
Rock and Roll Forever Foundation
In 2007, Van Zandt started the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation. Its project, TeachRock, provides free lesson plans about music history for schools across the country. The lessons connect music to subjects like social studies and language arts.
Personal Life
Van Zandt married Maureen Santoro on December 31, 1982. Bruce Springsteen was the best man at their wedding.
In April 2024, the street where his family used to live in Middletown, New Jersey, was renamed "Van Zandt Way" in their honor.
In June 2025, he had to miss some tour shows for emergency surgery. The operation was successful.
Discography
- Men Without Women (1982)
- Voice of America (1984)
- Freedom – No Compromise (1987)
- Revolution (1989)
- Born Again Savage (1999)
- Soulfire (2017)
- Summer of Sorcery (2019)
Filmography
- The Sopranos as Silvio Dante (1999–2007)
- Lilyhammer as Frank Tagliano (2012–2014)
- The Christmas Chronicles as Wolfie (2018)
- The Irishman as Jerry Vale (2019)
- Under the Boardwalk as Bruno (2023)
Images for kids
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Van Zandt onstage during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2012
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The Van Zandt Brothers admire the new sign in Middletown, NJ (2024)
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See also
In Spanish: Steven Van Zandt para niños
