When it comes to music, Steven Van Zandt, aka Little Steven, has done it all: legendary guitarist for the E Street Band, actor on The Sopranos, solo artist, and rock historian. But his 20 plus-year run as the mastermind behind Little Steven’s Underground Garage might just be one of his most impactful legacies. Sitting down with Kyle Meredith, Van Zandt dove into the origins of the show, its mission to preserve rock’s rich history, and the ongoing tour with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Since its launch over 20 years ago, Little Steven’s Underground Garage has been a haven for rock purists and new music seekers alike. “It’s wild to think it’s been 20 years,” Van Zandt says. “Nobody wanted the show at first, and here we are—an institution. We’ve introduced over 1,000 new bands, while keeping the classics alive. It’s about celebrating the coolest music and culture.”
Van Zandt’s mission is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. “The British Invasion is the center of the universe for us,” he explains. “We play everything that influenced it and everything it influenced—rockabilly, doo-wop, surf rock, girl groups, and everything in between.” For Van Zandt, crafting the playlist is personal: “I hand-pick every song. It’s completely subjective, but it’s what I love and think others will too.”
The show’s longevity is a testament to its cultural resonance. “Eddie Vedder is a big fan,” Van Zandt reveals. “He’s got a binder of our shows—it’s flattering to see people connect with it like that.”
Part of what makes Underground Garage special is its human touch. “We wanted to bring personality back to radio,” he says. “Somewhere along the way, music radio lost its soul. DJs were pushed out, and the audience followed.” Van Zandt recruited DJs with firsthand rock ‘n’ roll stories, like Mark Lindsay and Rodney Bingenheimer. “Rodney was in the center of everything,” he notes. “When he got let go in L.A., I called him the next day. I wasn’t going to let someone like him go unheard.”
Beyond the music, Van Zandt uses the show to spotlight the cultural context. “We do little vignettes about who invented the surfboard, the drive-in theater, or celebrate people like Jack Kerouac and Roger Corman. It’s about keeping the spirit of the 60s alive because, let’s be honest, nothing much has been cool since then,” he jokes.
Currently on the road with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Van Zandt marvels at the response from fans. “This tour has the strongest reaction we’ve ever seen in America,” he says. The setlist has been a hot topic, with the band sticking to a tighter lineup of songs. “It’s like a Broadway show,” Van Zandt explains. “Every song has a purpose. It’s not about how many songs we play—it’s about the emotional experience.”
The tour’s themes are rooted in Springsteen’s Letter to You, an album Van Zandt calls “the most coherent theme of Bruce’s career.” Reflecting on mortality and legacy, the record has translated into one of their most poignant live shows. “Backstreets now feels like it’s about George Theiss [Springsteen’s bandmate from The Castiles]. Great art evolves with time,” he says.
Van Zandt’s passion for rock history is evident, but he’s also looking ahead. “Rock isn’t mainstream anymore, but it still has something unique to offer. There are great new bands every week. They might not be on the charts, but they’re keeping the spirit alive.”
He hopes Underground Garage will outlast him. “It’s important to keep connecting the dots. This era of rock will be studied for centuries, and our job is to make sure people don’t forget where it came from.”
As for the E Street Band? “Bruce always has something up his sleeve,” he says. “He’s got albums in his pocket we haven’t even heard about yet.”
Van Zandt’s drive to preserve the past while championing the future makes him a vital force in rock ‘n’ roll. Whether through Underground Garage, his work with the E Street Band, or his other projects, he remains one of the genre’s greatest advocates. As Van Zandt says, “It’s about making life fun again—and that’s what rock ‘n’ roll is all about.”
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.
