| Garry Tallent | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Place: | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Birth Date: | 27 October 1949 |
| Origin: | New Jersey, U.S. |
| Instrument: | Bass guitar, tuba, vocals |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Occupation: | Musician, record producer |
| Years Active: | 1966–present |
| Current Member Of: | E Street Band |
| Past Member Of: | Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes |
Garry Wayne Tallent (born October 27, 1949), sometimes billed as Garry W. Tallent, is an American musician and record producer, best known for being bass player and founding member of the E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972. As of 2023, Tallent is the only remaining original member of the E Street Band besides Springsteen.
He was inducted in 2014 as a member of the E Street Band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[1]
Tallent grew up in Neptune City around the Jersey Shore, and first took up first the tuba and then the bass.[2] He attended Neptune High School, together with future bandmate Vini Lopez.[3]
He was influenced by James Jamerson, Donald "Duck" Dunn, and Paul McCartney. He started playing with Springsteen in 1971 in two earlier bands and then was an original member of the E Street Band, who formed in 1972.[4] His bass plays a key role in Springsteen's music (both live and in-studio). Notable Tallent bass parts can be heard on "Fire", "Prove It All Night", "Kitty's Back", and "Incident on 57th Street". During the E Street Band's early years, he occasionally played the tuba in concert and on record (most notably in "Wild Billy's Circus Story").
In addition to his work with Springsteen, Tallent has recorded with numerous other artists. In 1987 Tallent produced the song "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" for Marshall Crenshaw on La Bamba soundtrack. During the long time the E Street Band was inactive in the 1990s, Tallent moved to Nashville, having an affinity for country and western and rockabilly music. (By this point, Tallent had already long been referred to by the nickname "The Tennessee Terror",[5] [6] a name given to him after once driving through Tennessee briefly on a roadtrip). There he opened the MoonDog recording studio and helped start the D'Ville Record Group label. Tallent has produced such artists as Jim Lauderdale, Kevin Gordon, and Steve Forbert.[7]
Springsteen and the E Street Band performed on Saturday Night Live on December 12, 2020. However, Tallent opted out of the performance due to COVID-19 travel concerns. This marked the first time that Tallent had missed a show with the E Street Band. Jack Daley of Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul filled in for him.[8]