Bruce Springsteen is featured in "Streets of Fire" by Eric Meola

Muscle cars, road trips and motorcycles help to paint a picture of The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, during the early part of his career. Springsteen has conveyed the image of everyman for much of his career and he frequently appears good natured, down to earth and sometimes even carefree. However, the images captured by photographer Eric Meola in the late 1970s offer a different take on Springsteen, who was engaged in a legal battle with a former manager that kept him out of the studio for a long period of time. The darker edge of the legendary musician is featured in more than 70 black and white photographs in Streets of Fire: Bruce Springsteen in Photographs and Lyrics 1977-1979 (It Books).

Springsteen was writing songs for his album Darkness on the Edge of Town during the aforementioned time period and lyrics to the songs featured on the album are shown throughout this coffee table book. To the author's credit, he allows the pictures and lyrics to tell the story, for the most part, but provides interesting and essential short essays on his long time friendship and professional relationship with Springsteen. The black and white photographs feature nature backdrops, as well as more intimate photos of Springsteen relaxing around the house or strumming on his guitar. A few anecdotes from Meola serve to lighter the mood from time to time and are classic Springsteen. Streets of Fire contains startling imagery and excellent use of lighting in many of the photographs and is sure to delight fans of the music icon.

All proceeds from Streets of Fire: Bruce Springsteen in Photographs and Lyrics 1977-1979 are being donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. I think The Boss would approve.