It’s the entertainment business; weird, obscene, and peculiar things often happen. However, when Bruce Springsteen celebrated his signing with Columbia Records in 1973, neither he nor anyone there could have predicted what happened. No, someone didn’t get too drunk and get in a fight. Rather, Springsteen’s label boss suffered from a heart attack during their show.
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In 1973, Bruce Springsteen had signed and released his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J, with Columbia Records. Consequently, he, the E-Street band, and Columbia Records put on a party and showcase gig at New York City’s infamous club, Max’s Kansas City. Although the night took quite a turn, as a record executive nearly lost his life in the crowd.
How Bruce Springsteen’s Celebration Led to a Cardiac Catastrophe
When Bruce Springsteen and his band took the stage at Max’s Kansas City, all was going well. They were playing their songs, pleasing the people, and looking down the road to the very fruitful career they had in their sights. Although, the man who discovered Springsteen, John Hammond, changed all of that when he had a heart attack.
For context, John Hammond was the longtime record executive and talent scout for the infamous Columbia Records. In addition to discovering Springsteen, Hammond launched the careers of Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pete Seeger, and Aretha Franklin. Frankly, this man is one of the most important figures of 20th-century music, but you’ve just likely never heard of him.
Regardless, when Hammond discovered, signed, and helped Springsteen release his debut album, he and the company took it upon themselves to celebrate. Consequently, they booked Max’s Kansas City and let Springsteen and his boys run wild. However, all the fun was abruptly brought to a halt when John Hammond suffered a heart attack. Nothing else about the heart attack is truly known, but we do know that he did not pass from it. Hammond passed away in 1987 from a stroke while allegedly listening to the music of Billie Holiday.
So, luckily, Springsteen had no metaphorical blood on his hands. Though, regardless, what a rock ‘n’ roll way to kick off a career. Following Hammond’s heart attack, he and Springsteen worked together up until he retired in 1975. We all know the rest of Springsteen’s story, but not Hammond’s. Before his passing in 1987, Hammond became an official member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame with the class of 1986.
Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images
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