Springsteen’s Onstage Remarks Draw Response From Former Bandmate

As Bruce Springsteen continues a tour marked by outspoken political commentary, a familiar figure from his early career is offering a contrasting perspective. Vini Lopez, who once played drums in the E Street Band, has weighed in on the singer’s repeated criticism of Donald Trump during recent performances.

Since the tour began March 31 in Minneapolis, Springsteen has used time onstage to describe the administration in harsh terms, including calling it “corrupt” and “incompetent.” Lopez, reacting publicly to those remarks, emphasized a different outlook. While he does not dispute an artist’s right to speak freely, he argued that respect should remain part of the conversation, saying, “You gotta have respect for the president.”

Performer Keeps Music Separate From Politics

Lopez approaches live performance with a clear boundary. In his own work with the Wonderful Winos, he avoids political themes entirely, choosing instead to focus on music as entertainment. “My band…we don’t go there in our music,” he said, underscoring a deliberate decision to leave current events off the stage.

He also reflected on the broader environment surrounding political discussions today. Describing the atmosphere as “so divided,” Lopez suggested that strong opinions have created deeper divisions among audiences. Although he has supported Republican candidates in past elections, he framed his current stance in terms of hope, saying he would “love to see something good come out” of the current leadership.

Early Role in Springsteen’s Rise

Lopez’s connection to Springsteen dates back to the late 1960s, when he joined a group called Child, which later became Steel Mill. That collaboration helped shape the foundation of what would evolve into the E Street Band.

He played on Springsteen’s first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, before leaving in 1974. Looking back, Lopez said his playing style leaned more toward jazz, which did not fully align with the direction Springsteen wanted to pursue at the time.

Ongoing Contact Despite Differences

Even after his departure, Lopez has remained on friendly terms with Springsteen. The two have reunited at select events, including the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, and still stay in touch occasionally.

Lopez also recalled meeting Trump years before his presidency at a golf club in New Jersey. He described the encounter as cordial and said Trump once asked him to pass along a message: “Tell Bruce I’m his biggest fan.”