Jimmy Iovine Credits Springsteen for Success in The Defiant Ones

Jimmy Iovine opened up about this relationship with Bruce Springsteen in a new four part docu-series The Defiant Ones set to air on HBO in July. While Iovine is now a wildly successful record producer, he's known his fair share of struggle in his life. After having trouble reaching the level of success he desired, Iovine had an epiphany: he needed to start his own label. He launched Interscope Records in 1990, aiming to bring in the best record producers he could find. "I gotta find great producers," he says in the documentary's trailer. "And I have to produce them." 

While Interscope went on to produce music for a number of legendary artists, including Nine Inch Nails, Limp Bizkit, and No Doubt, Iovine credits his success to watching Bruce Springsteen at work during his years as a a recording engineer. He worked on Springsteen's Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town albums in the 70's, and says the singer-songwriter's work ethic blew him away. 

"Bruce taught me a work ethic," Iovine says in the docu-series trailer. "I have to work harder than the next guy, just to do as well as the next guy. And to do better than the next guy, I have to kill." That mindset has driven Iovine to try unexpected, status-quo shattering strategies that have made one of the most iconic music producers of all time. 

An obvious example of Iovine's vision: he was one of the only producers in the industry willing to take a risk on Dr. Dre and his album The Chronic. The documentary takes a deep dive into their long running professional relationship and how they turned the industry on its head. Their story is told by a number of artists whose careers they helped cultivate over the years, including Bono, Springsteen, Stevie Nicks and more. 

It's clear that Iovine took what he learned from Springsteen and implemented it into his own career. The Defiant Ones looks to explore the far reach of Iovine's influence in the music industry, as well as his successful relationship with Dr. Dre. Check out The Defiant Ones on HBO on July 9th to learn more about Iovine's iconic career. 


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