Bruce Springsteen explains why he felt 'capable of handling' fame at the height of his career
The 75-year-old rock legend first enjoyed success with his Born To Run record in the mid-1970s and then had a major resurgence with Born in the U.S.A. a decade later, and admitted that while he had "no particular interest" in staying at that level of fame, it was a "cool thing" at the time.
He told The Sunday Times: "Well, I was 35. I had previous experience [of fame] at 25, so I was capable of handling the moment. Ninety per cent I enjoyed the ride, 10 per cent of it was stressful, and my take on it now is that it was a cool thing to be at the height of the cultural conversation in the pop world for a while. I just didn't have any particular interest in staying there. That's a fool's game."
The Dancing in the Dark hitmaker also fronts the E Street Band but now lives in New Jersey with his wife and co-star Patti Scialfa - with whom he has Evan, 34, Jessica, 33, as well as 31-year-old Samuel - and inisisted that the kind of work he does now is more "important than the money" about more about "writing great" music.
He said: "Of course, and I was lucky enough to have Elvis, the Beatles and Bob Dylan, to follow in their footsteps — or not follow in their footsteps. From there I learnt how important it was not to lose focus on who I am or the work I'm doing. It's more important than the money, although it's great to get paid well. It's more important than the fame, although that can be fun too, and a nuisance on occasion. I simply wanted to write great songs, play great shows and have a conversation with a great audience. It is what I've dedicated my life to doing.'
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Robbie Williams gets 'Heaps Normal' in new collab with Canberra-born brand
A Canberra-born non-alcoholic brewery has now got a British pop star as a creative collaborator. It was announced on Monday that Robbie Williams has joined forces with Heaps Normal as a creative collaborator and an investor as the brand enters the British market. The musician, who was last in Australia over Christmas and New Year's for his biopic Better Man, said the decision to team up with the beer brand was a personal one. "Teaming up with Heaps Normal is personal for me," Williams said. "I saw what they were doing, creatively and culturally, when I was down in Australia, and I really wanted to get involved. "I love the ethos of the Heaps brand, and I'm excited for what we're going to achieve together around the world." After first encountering Heaps Normal during his recent tour of Australia, Williams messaged the brand, and the relationship grew from there. In June, the singer also did an advertisement on his social media for the beer brand. "I met the Heaps Normal guys when I was down in Australia, and they showed me the mission they're on to change the way people play. I'm impressed - the love is real," he wrote in an Instagram post. While there are no specific details about what is in the works, Williams plans to work with the Heaps Normal team on creative campaigns, cultural moments, and new product ideas - all aimed at sparking more honest conversations about how and why we drink. The brand also said that Williams' commitment was long-term. Since it was launched out of Canberra in 2020, Heaps Normal - led by punk promoter Andy Miller, brewer Ben Holdstock and pro surfer Jordy Smith - has become Australia's top-selling independent non-alc beer. As well as picking up a slew of awards along the way, Heaps Normal has been at the forefront of the non-alcoholic movement here in Australia. And while its music roots might not be as deep as Williams', the team at Heaps Normal has also been a supporter of the live music industry down under. Now, it's setting its sights on the UK. After soft launching into the market in June, Heaps Normal's products are now in more than 170 pubs and retailers throughout the country. "Heaps Normal isn't just about non-alc beer - it's about culture," Heaps Normal co-founder and CEO Andy Miller said. "Robbie gets that. He's been on his own journey, and he brings an incredible creative energy that lines up with what we stand for as a brand. "For a small, independent business, having Robbie advocating for us and spreading the Heaps Normal ethos to his community is wild. It's a long way from the early days of Heaps Normal when we were getting laughed out of pubs, that's for sure." A Canberra-born non-alcoholic brewery has now got a British pop star as a creative collaborator. It was announced on Monday that Robbie Williams has joined forces with Heaps Normal as a creative collaborator and an investor as the brand enters the British market. The musician, who was last in Australia over Christmas and New Year's for his biopic Better Man, said the decision to team up with the beer brand was a personal one. "Teaming up with Heaps Normal is personal for me," Williams said. "I saw what they were doing, creatively and culturally, when I was down in Australia, and I really wanted to get involved. "I love the ethos of the Heaps brand, and I'm excited for what we're going to achieve together around the world." After first encountering Heaps Normal during his recent tour of Australia, Williams messaged the brand, and the relationship grew from there. In June, the singer also did an advertisement on his social media for the beer brand. "I met the Heaps Normal guys when I was down in Australia, and they showed me the mission they're on to change the way people play. I'm impressed - the love is real," he wrote in an Instagram post. While there are no specific details about what is in the works, Williams plans to work with the Heaps Normal team on creative campaigns, cultural moments, and new product ideas - all aimed at sparking more honest conversations about how and why we drink. The brand also said that Williams' commitment was long-term. Since it was launched out of Canberra in 2020, Heaps Normal - led by punk promoter Andy Miller, brewer Ben Holdstock and pro surfer Jordy Smith - has become Australia's top-selling independent non-alc beer. As well as picking up a slew of awards along the way, Heaps Normal has been at the forefront of the non-alcoholic movement here in Australia. And while its music roots might not be as deep as Williams', the team at Heaps Normal has also been a supporter of the live music industry down under. Now, it's setting its sights on the UK. After soft launching into the market in June, Heaps Normal's products are now in more than 170 pubs and retailers throughout the country. "Heaps Normal isn't just about non-alc beer - it's about culture," Heaps Normal co-founder and CEO Andy Miller said. "Robbie gets that. He's been on his own journey, and he brings an incredible creative energy that lines up with what we stand for as a brand. "For a small, independent business, having Robbie advocating for us and spreading the Heaps Normal ethos to his community is wild. It's a long way from the early days of Heaps Normal when we were getting laughed out of pubs, that's for sure." A Canberra-born non-alcoholic brewery has now got a British pop star as a creative collaborator. It was announced on Monday that Robbie Williams has joined forces with Heaps Normal as a creative collaborator and an investor as the brand enters the British market. The musician, who was last in Australia over Christmas and New Year's for his biopic Better Man, said the decision to team up with the beer brand was a personal one. "Teaming up with Heaps Normal is personal for me," Williams said. "I saw what they were doing, creatively and culturally, when I was down in Australia, and I really wanted to get involved. "I love the ethos of the Heaps brand, and I'm excited for what we're going to achieve together around the world." After first encountering Heaps Normal during his recent tour of Australia, Williams messaged the brand, and the relationship grew from there. In June, the singer also did an advertisement on his social media for the beer brand. "I met the Heaps Normal guys when I was down in Australia, and they showed me the mission they're on to change the way people play. I'm impressed - the love is real," he wrote in an Instagram post. While there are no specific details about what is in the works, Williams plans to work with the Heaps Normal team on creative campaigns, cultural moments, and new product ideas - all aimed at sparking more honest conversations about how and why we drink. The brand also said that Williams' commitment was long-term. Since it was launched out of Canberra in 2020, Heaps Normal - led by punk promoter Andy Miller, brewer Ben Holdstock and pro surfer Jordy Smith - has become Australia's top-selling independent non-alc beer. As well as picking up a slew of awards along the way, Heaps Normal has been at the forefront of the non-alcoholic movement here in Australia. And while its music roots might not be as deep as Williams', the team at Heaps Normal has also been a supporter of the live music industry down under. Now, it's setting its sights on the UK. After soft launching into the market in June, Heaps Normal's products are now in more than 170 pubs and retailers throughout the country. "Heaps Normal isn't just about non-alc beer - it's about culture," Heaps Normal co-founder and CEO Andy Miller said. "Robbie gets that. He's been on his own journey, and he brings an incredible creative energy that lines up with what we stand for as a brand. "For a small, independent business, having Robbie advocating for us and spreading the Heaps Normal ethos to his community is wild. It's a long way from the early days of Heaps Normal when we were getting laughed out of pubs, that's for sure." A Canberra-born non-alcoholic brewery has now got a British pop star as a creative collaborator. It was announced on Monday that Robbie Williams has joined forces with Heaps Normal as a creative collaborator and an investor as the brand enters the British market. The musician, who was last in Australia over Christmas and New Year's for his biopic Better Man, said the decision to team up with the beer brand was a personal one. "Teaming up with Heaps Normal is personal for me," Williams said. "I saw what they were doing, creatively and culturally, when I was down in Australia, and I really wanted to get involved. "I love the ethos of the Heaps brand, and I'm excited for what we're going to achieve together around the world." After first encountering Heaps Normal during his recent tour of Australia, Williams messaged the brand, and the relationship grew from there. In June, the singer also did an advertisement on his social media for the beer brand. "I met the Heaps Normal guys when I was down in Australia, and they showed me the mission they're on to change the way people play. I'm impressed - the love is real," he wrote in an Instagram post. While there are no specific details about what is in the works, Williams plans to work with the Heaps Normal team on creative campaigns, cultural moments, and new product ideas - all aimed at sparking more honest conversations about how and why we drink. The brand also said that Williams' commitment was long-term. Since it was launched out of Canberra in 2020, Heaps Normal - led by punk promoter Andy Miller, brewer Ben Holdstock and pro surfer Jordy Smith - has become Australia's top-selling independent non-alc beer. As well as picking up a slew of awards along the way, Heaps Normal has been at the forefront of the non-alcoholic movement here in Australia. And while its music roots might not be as deep as Williams', the team at Heaps Normal has also been a supporter of the live music industry down under. Now, it's setting its sights on the UK. After soft launching into the market in June, Heaps Normal's products are now in more than 170 pubs and retailers throughout the country. "Heaps Normal isn't just about non-alc beer - it's about culture," Heaps Normal co-founder and CEO Andy Miller said. "Robbie gets that. He's been on his own journey, and he brings an incredible creative energy that lines up with what we stand for as a brand. "For a small, independent business, having Robbie advocating for us and spreading the Heaps Normal ethos to his community is wild. It's a long way from the early days of Heaps Normal when we were getting laughed out of pubs, that's for sure."
Sydney Morning Herald
18 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Margaret River pop-up that served Andy Hearnden ‘one of most interesting meals of his life' tours Australia
When I suggested Andy Hearnden check out Dahl Daddy's while he was in Margaret River for the inaugural Pair'd festival, I expected the popular chef would enjoy himself. (Then again, who wouldn't fall headfirst for a spirited curry canteen – operating out of the local skate park, no less – specialising in heavy-hitting Burmese flavours including, as its name suggests, a deeply nourishing dahl?) What I wasn't expecting, however, was how into Dahl Daddy's he would be – and that there would soon be a reunion. 'In November last year, I had one of the most interesting meals of my life,' said Hearnden on Instagram after he and fellow New Zealand-born chef Ben Shewry visited Dahl Daddy's and ate various dishes including lahpet thoke: a Burmese fermented tea leaf salad Hearnden hailed as 'absolutely delicious'. 'For the first time in ages, I tasted bold, beautiful flavours that I'd never had before,' says Hearnden. 'My mind was blown.' Sadly, leasing issues forced Dahl Daddy's owners Corey Rozario and Imogin Mitchell to close their popular community eatery in June: devastating news for Hearnden as well as anyone else with an appreciation for bold South Asian cooking. The silver lining to this especially gloomy cloud, though, is that losing their permanent home has allowed Rozario and Mitchell to hit the road and introduce the rest of Australia to Dahl Daddy's singular, free-spirited take on Burmese and South Asian cuisine. Until mid-October, Dahl Daddy's caravan of curry will wind its way around Australia and stop in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, the Sunshine Coast and Adelaide before ending the tour in Perth at Big Don's Smoked Meats. Throughout the tour, Rozario and Mitchell will set up shop in everything from a pizza-slinging record shop in Melbourne's inner-east (Sunday, August 16) to an Adelaide burger joint (Thursday, September 25). Each city's event will be unique, with formats ranging from set-menu dinners to takeaway nights. One of the tour's key moments takes place in Sydney on Sunday, August 31. A joint effort with the team behind Kyiv Social – a socially minded eatery affiliated with the Plate It Forward movement and winner of the innovation prize at the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide awards in 2023 – this event is a fundraiser for earthquake relief efforts in Burma as well as a reunion between team Dahl Daddy's and Hearnden. 'The morning after I posted my video cooking a Burmese-style prawn curry, I woke to news that a massive earthquake had hit the region [Burma],' says Hearnden. 'I couldn't shake the feeling that I had to do something. A week later, almost like serendipity, Corey called and asked if I wanted to be part of this new project. I said yes straight away. I can't wait to get in the kitchen with him, share this incredible food, and hopefully do some good along the way.'
The Age
18 hours ago
- The Age
Margaret River's Dahl Daddy is touring Australia
When I suggested Andy Hearnden check out Dahl Daddy's while he was in Margaret River for the inaugural Pair'd festival, I expected the popular chef would enjoy himself. (Then again, who wouldn't fall headfirst for a spirited curry canteen – operating out of the local skate park, no less – specialising in heavy-hitting Burmese flavours including, as its name suggests, a deeply nourishing dahl?) What I wasn't expecting, however, was how into Dahl Daddy's he would be – and that there would soon be a reunion. Dahl Daddy's took Margaret River by storm. Now it's headed around Australia. 'In November last year, I had one of the most interesting meals of my life,' said Hearnden on Instagram after he and fellow New Zealand-born chef Ben Shewry visited Dahl Daddy's and ate various dishes including lahpet thoke: a Burmese fermented tea leaf salad Hearnden hailed as 'absolutely delicious'. 'For the first time in ages, I tasted bold, beautiful flavours that I'd never had before,' says Hearnden. 'My mind was blown.' Sadly, leasing issues forced Dahl Daddy's owners Corey Rozario and Imogin Mitchell to close their popular community eatery in June: devastating news for Hearnden as well as anyone else with an appreciation for bold South Asian cooking. The silver lining to this especially gloomy cloud, though, is that losing their permanent home has allowed Rozario and Mitchell to hit the road and introduce the rest of Australia to Dahl Daddy's singular, free-spirited take on Burmese and South Asian cuisine. Until mid-October, Dahl Daddy's caravan of curry will wind its way around Australia and stop in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, the Sunshine Coast and Adelaide before ending the tour in Perth at Big Don's Smoked Meats. Throughout the tour, Rozario and Mitchell will set up shop in everything from a pizza-slinging record shop in Melbourne's inner-east (Sunday, August 16) to an Adelaide burger joint (Thursday, September 25). Each city's event will be unique, with formats ranging from set-menu dinners to takeaway nights. A Dahl Daddy's spread. Credit: Zaneta Van Zyl One of the tour's key moments takes place in Sydney on Sunday, August 31. A joint effort with the team behind Kyiv Social – a socially minded eatery affiliated with the Plate It Forward movement and winner of the innovation prize at the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide awards in 2023 – this event is a fundraiser for earthquake relief efforts in Burma as well as a reunion between team Dahl Daddy's and Hearnden. 'The morning after I posted my video cooking a Burmese-style prawn curry, I woke to news that a massive earthquake had hit the region [Burma],' says Hearnden. 'I couldn't shake the feeling that I had to do something. A week later, almost like serendipity, Corey called and asked if I wanted to be part of this new project. I said yes straight away. I can't wait to get in the kitchen with him, share this incredible food, and hopefully do some good along the way.'
