Garry Wayne Tallent (born October 27, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan, USA), 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 2013, and not counting Springsteen himself, Tallent is the only original member of the E Street Band remaining in the band. Tallent was inducted as a member of the E Street Band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Growing up in Neptune City around the Jersey shore, Tallent took up first the tuba and then the bass. 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. Both visually and musically he stays in the background though his bass plays a key role in Springsteen's music; his most notable bass parts may be on the song "Fire" and the last verse of "Incident on 57th Street". During the E Street Band's early years, he occasionally played the tuba on some of Springsteen's quirkier early songs, both in concert and on record (most notably "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," 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 and Steve Forbert.Tallent currently resides in Whitefish, Montana with his wife Tammy and his two teenage children Isaac and Olivia.
He and the E Street Band (including Steve Van Zandt, Vini Lopez, David Sancious, Max Weinberg, Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Ernest "Boom" Carter, the late Clarence Clemons, and the late Danny Federici) were inducted into the 2012 New Jersey Hall of Fame for their services and contributions to music.
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Has four brothers and two sisters.
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Two children, Isaac and Olivia.
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Joined the E-Street Band in January 1971.
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Introduced as the Foundation of the E Street Nation the Tennessee Terror, Mr. Garry W. Tallent on the "Live in New York" album with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
La Bamba
1987
producer: "Crying, Waiting, Hoping"
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: The River Tour, Tempe 1980
2015
Himself - E Street Band
Bruce Springsteen's High Hopes
2014
Documentary short
Himself - E Street Band
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Born in the U.S.A. Live
2014
Video
Himself - E Street Band
The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town
2010
Documentary
Himself - E Street Band
The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert
2009
TV Special
Himself
60 Minutes
2007
TV Series documentary
Himself - Bass Player (segment "Springsteen")
Seven Ages of Rock
2007
TV Series documentary
Himself
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Hammersmith Odeon, London '75
2005
Video
Himself
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Live in Barcelona
2003
Video documentary
Himself
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The 45th Annual Grammy Awards
2003
TV Special
Himself
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live in New York City
2001
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Bruce Springsteen: The Complete Video Anthology 1978-2000
2001
Video documentary
Himself
Blood Brothers: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
2000
Video documentary
Himself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1994
TV Series
Himself
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes: Having a Party Live at the Stone Pony