2008 Woodie Awards
Distinguished Lecture Series a "Hit"
Jessica Ercolino/Jordan O'Donnell
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: Top Stories
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Two of New Jersey's "Sopranos" visited William Paterson University to open the 2006-2007 Distinguished Lecturer Series.
On Oct. 13, the university welcomed multi-talented performing artist "Little Steven" Van Zandt for a conversation about his music, activism and career. He was joined by well-known director and friend Peter Bogdanovich.
Both Van Zandt and Bogdanovich can currently be seen together on HBO's "The Sopranos," playing Silvio Dante and Dr. Elliott Kupferberg, respectively.
Van Zandt, a mainstream musician for almost 40 years, has played with other New Jersey legends, such as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, as well as South Side Johnny and the Asbury Park Jukes. He later pursued a solo career, and became a political activist and actor.
Bogdanovich, a prominent director in the '70s, is best known for the films "The Last Picture Show" and "Paper Moon."
"A lot of the people who come on (the Distinguished Lecture Series) have at one time or another already said what they are going to speak about," said WPU President Arnold Speert. "(This lecture) was different because it was spontaneous."
Van Zandt discussed his show business career and political views.
Early in his career, Van Zandt said he was influenced by The Beatles and Little Richard, but it was not until he heard the blues-rock sound of The Rolling Stones that he knew rock 'n' roll was his calling.
Van Zandt is probably best known for his work with Springsteen, and even joked that the two singers shared the same long hairstyle that women did not necessarily find attractive.
"We were part of the same 10 or 12 bands from the shore area," he said. "Bruce and I used to go to Greenwich Village and see everything that was going on there so we could bring it back to Jersey."
Van Zandt spent a few years writing for and playing with South Side Johnny, booking summer gigs at a nightclub in Asbury Park, with the stipulation that they would only play their own music.
On Oct. 13, the university welcomed multi-talented performing artist "Little Steven" Van Zandt for a conversation about his music, activism and career. He was joined by well-known director and friend Peter Bogdanovich.
Both Van Zandt and Bogdanovich can currently be seen together on HBO's "The Sopranos," playing Silvio Dante and Dr. Elliott Kupferberg, respectively.
Van Zandt, a mainstream musician for almost 40 years, has played with other New Jersey legends, such as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, as well as South Side Johnny and the Asbury Park Jukes. He later pursued a solo career, and became a political activist and actor.
Bogdanovich, a prominent director in the '70s, is best known for the films "The Last Picture Show" and "Paper Moon."
"A lot of the people who come on (the Distinguished Lecture Series) have at one time or another already said what they are going to speak about," said WPU President Arnold Speert. "(This lecture) was different because it was spontaneous."
Van Zandt discussed his show business career and political views.
Early in his career, Van Zandt said he was influenced by The Beatles and Little Richard, but it was not until he heard the blues-rock sound of The Rolling Stones that he knew rock 'n' roll was his calling.
Van Zandt is probably best known for his work with Springsteen, and even joked that the two singers shared the same long hairstyle that women did not necessarily find attractive.
"We were part of the same 10 or 12 bands from the shore area," he said. "Bruce and I used to go to Greenwich Village and see everything that was going on there so we could bring it back to Jersey."
Van Zandt spent a few years writing for and playing with South Side Johnny, booking summer gigs at a nightclub in Asbury Park, with the stipulation that they would only play their own music.
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