Nils Lofgren

Profession: Guitarist and Singer-Songwriter

Biography: Nils is best known for his association as a guitarist for Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, but is also adept at piano and accordion and has maintained a solo career as a singer-songwriter.

Before turning to rock and roll, Nils studied classical accordion as a child and early teen. He was also a competitive gymnast and worked those skills into his solo stage act.

He came to the attention of Neil Young while still a teenager, and appeared on the Canadian singer's "After the Gold Rush". The recognition led to Lofgren's band "Grin" getting a recording contract.. Grin made 4 albums, with little commercial success between 1971 and 1974.

Lofgren went solo, also with limited success. He notably attempted a songwriting partnership with Lou Reed at his producer's suggestion - the results were spread over his "Nils" album and Reed's "The Bells" album, both issued in 1979. Nils would later re-visit these works on his 2019 release "Blue With Lou".

In 1984 he was tapped by Bruce Springsteen to tour in the E Street Band during Steve Van Zandt's sabbatical. He remained with the band upon Van Zandt's return.

He was a charter member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band in 1989.
In the 1990's he served as musical director for the Cable Ace Awards telecasts and Paula Poundstone's short-lived variety show.

In 2014, as a member of The E Street Band, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Vasa Orden of Amerika in Sweden elected him as the 2016 Swedish American of the Year.
2016. In 2017, Lofgren was inducted into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Born: June 21, 1951
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Age: 73 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit
Star Sign: Cancer