Hank Azaria Debuts Bruce Springsteen Tribute Show in New York

Actor Hank Azaria, known for his roles in ‘Brockmire’, ‘Ray Donovan‘, and ‘The Simpsons‘, premiered his Bruce Springsteen tribute show at New York’s Le Poisson Rouge on August 1. Reflecting on his motivation, Azaria noted, “This all came out of trying to cheer myself up when I was turning 60.” The show stemmed from his experiences while running and listening to Springsteen’s music, leading him to mimic Springsteen’s singing voice.

Azaria, who is not traditionally known for singing outside comedic roles, spent months preparing for the sold-out performance. “The idea got away from me because I wanted so badly to be able to capture Bruce’s singing voice,” he explained. The effort paid off, generating not only enthusiastic audience responses but also raising $30,000 for the Four Through Nine Foundation, Azaria’s own organization that supports education, social justice, and recovery causes.

Azaria’s connection with Bruce Springsteen dates back to his childhood. His appreciation for Springsteen began around age 11 with the album ‘Born to Run‘. He recalled, “I became a huge fan of his that summer, along with ELO.” This affinity developed through live bootleg recordings, which Azaria actively collected in New York’s Greenwich Village record stores.

The tribute show’s initial success prompted Azaria to organize additional fall performances. He blended elements of theatre into the show, often speaking in character as Springsteen to share stories behind Springsteen’s iconic songs and their personal meaning. He emphasized, “A lot of the show is theatrical. I talk as Bruce the whole time.”

Azaria’s tribute celebration sparked introspection as he noted how Springsteen’s lyrics and live performance stories resonated with experiences from his own life. A staple of the show is his rendition of “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” a track Azaria believes touches on profound themes of loneliness and personal crises.

For Azaria, the show is not just a musical journey but an homage to the inspiration he draws from Springsteen. His wife’s skeptical yet supportive reaction to his early singing attempts led to a significant breakthrough. “I accidentally discovered how to breathe as a singer,” he said, recalling the transition moments.

The launch night brought unexpected delight, as Azaria found Springsteen fans dominating the audience, singing along enthusiastically. Reflecting on these moments, Azaria said, “The truth is, I felt like a member of the audience who got to jump on stage. It was one of the most joyous nights of my life.”