Max WeinbergDrums • Percussion
In 1974, Max Weinberg was playing in pit bands for theatrical productions when he answered the Village Voice advertisement that requested a drummer capable of playing R&B and jazz ("no Jr. Ginger Bakers") for an immediate audition.
Weinberg had never seen the E Street Band and was unfamiliar with their material, but the skill, acumen, and attentiveness he displayed on a run through Fats Domino's "Let the Four Winds Blow" won him the job. His ability to take cues from Springsteen — specifically, playing a rim shot when Bruce held up his hand to stop the band and then starting back into the song — had made a strong impression.
Max joined the E Street Band at the same time as new pianist Roy Bittan. Dubbed "The Mighty Max," his crisp, powerful drumming is a highlight of hits such as "Born in the U.S.A.," as well as deeper album tracks such as "Candy's Room."
Following the band's hiatus in 1989, Max worked on several different projects. Beginning in 1993, he went on to great success as the musical director and band leader for "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," assembling a top flight set of musicians to form the Max Weinberg 7.
Max was featured on "Late Night" not only as bandleader but also as a comic foil to O'Brien, particularly in the show's sketches. When the E Street Band reunited and proceeded to tour regularly in the 2000s, NBC allowed a special dispensation, permitting Max to take leaves of absence from the show in order to go on tour.
Max's time in late night television was also notable for sharpening his drumming. Having to play regularly for more than 150 programs a year, accompanying icons from Tony Bennett to Isaac Hayes, meant that Max's chops were as strong as they had ever been. When the E Street Band reunited, his strengths were displayed each night.
In 2014, Max was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band. In 2017, shortly upon conclusion of The River Tour, he launched Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, an interactive live music show ("it's a party, not a concert") where the program changes nightly based on audience requests chosen from an ever-changing song list. The repertoire emphasizes rock and R&B classics of the '60s and '70s (plus some E Street Band favorites), but the four-piece band does its utmost to be ready for anything the crowd throws at them. When he's not on the road with the E Street Band, Max Weinberg's Jukebox plays 50+ shows annually. Max was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2022.
Max joined the E Street Band at the same time as new pianist Roy Bittan. Dubbed "The Mighty Max," his crisp, powerful drumming is a highlight of hits such as "Born in the U.S.A.," as well as deeper album tracks such as "Candy's Room."
Following the band's hiatus in 1989, Max worked on several different projects. Beginning in 1993, he went on to great success as the musical director and band leader for "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," assembling a top flight set of musicians to form the Max Weinberg 7.
Max was featured on "Late Night" not only as bandleader but also as a comic foil to O'Brien, particularly in the show's sketches. When the E Street Band reunited and proceeded to tour regularly in the 2000s, NBC allowed a special dispensation, permitting Max to take leaves of absence from the show in order to go on tour.
Max's time in late night television was also notable for sharpening his drumming. Having to play regularly for more than 150 programs a year, accompanying icons from Tony Bennett to Isaac Hayes, meant that Max's chops were as strong as they had ever been. When the E Street Band reunited, his strengths were displayed each night.
In 2014, Max was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band. In 2017, shortly upon conclusion of The River Tour, he launched Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, an interactive live music show ("it's a party, not a concert") where the program changes nightly based on audience requests chosen from an ever-changing song list. The repertoire emphasizes rock and R&B classics of the '60s and '70s (plus some E Street Band favorites), but the four-piece band does its utmost to be ready for anything the crowd throws at them. When he's not on the road with the E Street Band, Max Weinberg's Jukebox plays 50+ shows annually. Max was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2022.