Photographer Eric Meola, whose career is synonymous with visionary images of musical icon Bruce Springsteen and vibrant depictions of the world’s exotic places, will sign copies of his latest book, “Streets of Fire,” at 8 p.m. Nov. 9 in Monmouth University’s Wilson Hall, West Long Branch.
The signing will include an illustrated discussion of the days Meola spent with Springsteen between 1977-79 in Meola’s Manhattan studio, in Springsteen’s rented farmhouse in Holmdel, and on a trip across the American West in a rented convertible.
Meola’s fifth book, “Streets of Fire,” is his third featuring Springsteen images, following “Born to Run: The Unseen Photos” (Insight Editions, 2006), and an oversized, limited edition “Born to Run Revisited” (Ormond Yard Press,2011).
In 2004, Graphis Editions published his first book “The Last Places on Earth: A Look at Disappearing Tribes and Cultures Throughout the World.” “INDIA: In Word & Image” (Welcome Books, NY) was published in 2009.
Peter Ames Carlin, author of the forthcoming Springsteen biography “Bruce,” praised Meola’s photos in “Streets of Fire” as showing “a young Bruce Springsteen in all his bluster, doubt and resilience. In these portraits of a man still struggling for his identity, we get soul-piercing glimpses into the heart of a true American icon.”
Meola’s appearance is sponsored by The Friends of the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection. A very limited number of books will be available for purchase. Attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-order copies at http://brucecollectionfriends. homestead.com/. Autographed copies can also be ordered for shipping.
Meola first encountered Springsteen in 1973 at Max’s Kansas City, a trend-setting venue in lower Manhattan, and began photographing him the following year.
In 1975, one of Meola’s images, shot during a marathon day-long photo session, was selected for the cover of Springsteen’s breakthrough album “Born to Run” and became one of the most famous cover images in the history of rock photography.
The images in “Streets of Fire” show Springsteen coming to terms with his newfound success and creating the music for his fourth album, “Darkness on the Edge of Town.” The book includes an introduction from Meola, an insightful end-of-book essay by journalist and blogger Joyce Millman, and running lyrics to several of Springsteen’s songs.
In addition to Meola’s signing, the Friends of the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection announced receipt of a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, setting the stage for a major expansion of the collection.
Since its founding in 2001, the collection has been focused primarily on the written history of Springsteen’s recording and performing career, providing public access to more than 16,000 books, magazines, newspaper articles and other documents.
The state grant enables the organization to purchase shelving and archival materials so the collection, housed on the campus of Monmouth University, can for the first time accept posters and recorded music in audio and visual formats.
For further details on donating to, and using, the collection, see the collection website at http://www.brucespringsteenspecialcollection.net.