Talk:Bruce Springsteen

Instrument

Should piano really be considered a main instrument in the infobox? Springsteen has played piano enough times to consider a semi-primary instrument. 92.3.214.187 (talk) 23:36, 4 February 2023 (UTC)

The infobox is a summary of the article. There is no mention of "piano" within the article.--☾Loriendrew☽ ☏(ring-ring) 23:54, 4 February 2023 (UTC)

Because an IP editor has insisted on adding piano twice in the past few days, apparently based on some other IP editor having raised the issue here on the talk page as if that is enough, let me quote what the infobox instructions for musical artists say: "This field is only relevant for individuals. General class(es) of instrument(s) played by the artist (e.g. guitar or violin). Include singing, rapping, beatboxing or scat singing if relevant. Separate multiple entries by using commas, {{Flatlist}} or {{Hlist}}. Instruments listed in the infobox should be limited to only those that the artist is primarily known for using. The instruments infobox parameter is not intended as a WP:COATRACK for every instrument the subject has ever used." (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template%3AInfobox_musical_artist#instrument, with a footnote omitted and boldface added.) The constant desire some people have to add every bit of trivial minutia is a constant problem on Wikipedia and it's why the infobox instructions say not to try to list every last instrument. If it were otherwise, then why stop with piano? Why not add harmonica as well in view of songs like "The Promised Land" or "The River"? 1995hoo (talk) 14:47, 6 March 2023 (UTC)

Request for discussion

I’d like to replace the 11-year-old infobox picture with this current picture. I know at least one other editor disagrees. Can others weigh in, please?

Dharmabumstead (talk) 06:43, 3 March 2023 (UTC)

Not a fan of it. Bad angle, 4:3 aspect ratio, and too much of a focus on the crowd behind him. There's nothing wrong with the older picture, and it's significantly better than this replacement choice. Aria1561 (talk) 05:09, 22 March 2023 (UTC)

Also do not like it. Shows Springsteen as some kind of passive singalong leader. He is a singer and guitarist, and the lead image should reflect either or both of those roles. WWGB (talk) 05:22, 22 March 2023 (UTC)

Well, the original picture is 11 years old and isn't really what he looks like anymore, and it shows him standing there passively, *not* singing or playing the guitar. How's that any better? Dharmabumstead (talk) 01:29, 31 March 2023 (UTC)

At least it portrays him as a guitarist, not a microphone stand. WWGB (talk) 03:48, 31 March 2023 (UTC)

It certainly portrays him *holding* a guitar, but it doesn’t show him *playing* it, or singing, which are your two big arguments in favor of the existing picture. Dharmabumstead (talk) 04:09, 31 March 2023 (UTC)

The "he's not a singalong leader" argument is a bit tenuous - he actually does that all the time in concert. The fact that he's not holding "his instrument of choice" doesn't mean much, either - there are *plenty* of lead pictures of musical performers on Wikipedia where the artist isn't shown holding their "instrument of choice" (or even performing, for that matter). A picture from a month ago showing him interacting with his audience is at least as valid as an 11-year-old picture where he's standing there passively holding a guitar and staring off into the distance.

That being said, the consensus (slim as it is) clearly isn't with me, so I will indeed drop it. It would certainly be nice if someone could provide a good pic of Bruce from his current tour to replace the outdated pic used in the article.

Dharmabumstead (talk) 02:14, 3 April 2023 (UTC)

"Comfort with sexual ambiguity"

I think under the Personal Life section there should be mention of Springsteen's unique and only vaguely-explained relationship with the late Clarence Clemons, as well as his support for the LGBTQ+ community. This Salon article is a tad unclear about things, but I'd imagine with some other sources for clarity, it would make a worthwhile addition to the article. 98.251.192.45 (talk) 05:28, 2 October 2023 (UTC)