Roy Bittan
The key E Street keyboardist who contributed to Bruce Springsteen's March 31, 1992 platinum hit, Human Touch, which topped the US charts following the band's official disbandment in early 1990.
Roy Bittan is the pianist and keyboardist who played a pivotal role in Bruce Springsteen's album Human Touch, released on March 31, 1992. His contribution helped bridge the gap between the dissolved band era and the new studio assembly in Los Angeles. The album Human Touch peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding one million copies in the United States.
Quick Facts
- Alias
- The Professor
- Birth Date
- 1949-07-02
- Birth Place
- Queens, New York, United States
- Instrument
- Keyboards · accordion
- Genre
- Rock and roll
- Occupation
- Musician
- Current Member Of
- E Street Band
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Shortly after Springsteen officially disbanded the E Street Band in January 1990, Bittan played three instrumental tracks he had written: "Roll of the Dice" and "Real World." While Bittan provided the music for these initial ideas, Bruce Springsteen added lyrics to both, with official songwriting credits listing Springsteen as the sole writer. There is no track titled 'Trouble in Paradise' from these sessions; this title likely stems from confusion with 'Pony Boy,' which was co-written by Bittan and Springsteen. Springsteen liked the direction enough to begin writing and recording additional material. With the band dissolved, Springsteen assembled a group of studio musicians in Los Angeles, primarily utilizing bassist Randy Jackson and drummer Jeff Porcaro, but Bittan remained the central musical figure on keyboards. Although approximately 25 songs were recorded for the project, the exact number remains unknown.
Reader's Guide
Roy Bittan's role during the Human Touch era was distinct from his typical E Street Band tenure. While he usually toured and recorded with the full ensemble, this project saw him as the only returning member amidst a new cast of Los Angeles session musicians. He contributed keyboards to all tracks and co-produced the album. His specific musical contributions included playing Hammond organ on "Soul Driver" and "Real Man," though David Sancious also played Hammond organ on those same tracks according to personnel listings. Bittan's writing credits include the instrumental foundations for "Roll of the Dice," "Real World," and "Trouble in Paradise." The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance at the 1993 awards, highlighting the critical weight of his production work during this period.
Did You Know?
- Roy Bittan was not joined by bassist Garry Tallent for the Human Touch sessions; Randy Jackson is credited as the primary bass player on the album, while Tallent did not participate.
- Official songwriting credits for 'Roll of the Dice' and 'Real World' list Bruce Springsteen as the sole writer, rather than Bittan providing music with Springsteen adding lyrics.
- There is no song titled 'Trouble in Paradise' on Human Touch; this is likely a confusion with 'Pony Boy,' which was co-written by Bittan and Springsteen.
- Human Touch was produced solely by Bruce Springsteen, not as a co-production effort with Roy Bittan.
- The E Street Band's disbandment was officially announced in January 1990, though their final touring concluded in late 1989.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Roy Bittan?
Roy Bittan is the longtime pianist and keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. He continued his collaboration with Springsteen as a session musician even after the band officially disbanded in 1990.
What role did Roy Bittan play on the album Human Touch?
On the 1992 album Human Touch, Bittan served as the primary keyboardist and pianist. He performed these duties alongside various studio musicians since his former E Street Bandmates were not part of these specific recording sessions.
Did Roy Bittan produce the Human Touch album?
No, Roy Bittan did not hold a production credit on Human Touch; Bruce Springsteen handled all production duties alone. Jon Landau served as the executive producer while Chuck Plotkin managed the engineering for the project.
Who played bass on Human Touch instead of Garry Tallent?
Because the E Street Band was dissolved at the time, original bassist Garry Tallent did not play on the album. Instead, session musician Randy Jackson performed as the primary bass player during these recordings.
Why is Roy Bittan important to Springsteen's history?
Bittan is a key figure in Springsteen's sound, providing essential piano and organ work that defined both the E Street Band era and subsequent solo projects. His ability to adapt to studio sessions ensured musical continuity even when the full band was not active.
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