Springsteen

This biography of the popular rock 'n' roller lacks the fiery passion of Dave Marsh's Born to Run, but in its own way it is reasonably interesting. Hilburn, music critic for the Los Angeles Times, is a thorough and responsible journalist. He has spoken with many of Springsteen's friends, whose recollections coalesce to form an intriguing portrait of a fiercely dedicated artist who allows no interference with his music. Hilburn makes extensive use of his own newspaper interviews with the ""Boss'' and offers his assessments of each album, from Greetings from Asbury Park through the 1984 megaseller Born in the U.S.A. This is a solid, informative book that will please fans, but it doesn't say much that hasn't been said before. The photographs and layout are excellent. 30,000 first printing; Literary Guild alternate. October 25