(born 1949) Coming of age in the late 1960s, Bruce Springsteen reflects the musical and social influences of the time, combining social critique of the folk tradition with the exuberance of rock ’n’ roll. Though his live performances have always earned him a devoted audience, his popularity exploded in the mid-1980s when he released “Born in the USA.” The album’s title song, a searing critique of a nation embattled by the Vietnam War and economic decline, was misinterpreted by many (including President Reagan) as a nationalistic anthem. Springsteen has raised money for political organizations such as the Christic Institute and the anti-nuclear movement. A 2000 song, “41 Bullets,” criticizes police brutality in New York City, NY.