![From left: "Little Steven" Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons are seen on a bench in Central Park in New York City in Aug. 1979.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-6a.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By TIME Photo
![211_BS_79.08_JB_12-0 Bruce Springsteen is seen recording The River at the Power Station in New York City, Aug. 1979.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-2a.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![BS_79.05.15_11AX Bruce Springsteen on the boardwalk by the Empress Hotel in Asbury Park, N.J. in Aug. 1979. This photograph was chosen as the cover image for the “Hungry Heart” single.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-41.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![From left: "Little Steven" Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons are seen on a bench in Central Park in New York City in Aug. 1979.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-6a.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![BS_79.05.15_5AX Bruce Springsteen is seen near Wesley Lake in Asbury Park, N.J. in 1979.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-91.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are seen near Central Park in New York City in March 1980.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-131.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band on the roof of the Power Station recording studio in New York City in April 1980.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-111.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Bruce Springsteen performs at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. in Oct. 1980.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-81.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Bruce Springsteen is seen in New York City c. 1980.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-14a.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Bruce Springsteen before soundcheck in Brussels, Belgium on April 26, 1981.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bruce-springsteen-the-river-101.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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