What makes a rock star really rock? Is it an iconic branding of music and style? Or is it simply that indefinable something that very few achieve? I set out to find the answers to these questions and more by chatting with (Little) Steven Van Zandt. You may remember him from the “Soprano’s” as Silvio Dante or most likely as a longtime member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. You might also know him as the host of “Underground Garage” a throwback satellite radio show, full of hipster attitude and reminiscent of the “Wolfman Jack” school of DJ-driven cool.
I remember first seeing him in person at the opening week of “Rent” on Broadway about 16 years ago. He looked totally cool as he swept into the Niederlander Theatre in his signature bandanna and gypsy-rock ensemble. Fast forward to today at Renegade Nation, his production company in the West Village, where my best girlfriend, Crystal, has interned for the last five years. As I check out his busy colorful office space, I can’t help but see his love for all things that were good about the ’60s. Paisley, graphic art, lots of color on the walls, ceilings and, of course, the vast music memorabilia collections casually displayed. I know immediately that this is the office space of someone who has a lot of passion for what they do. Next thing I know, I am greeting Mr. Van Zandt himself, who shakes my hand firmly and decides that his office is the best space for us to conduct our brief interview. He is warm, engaging and welcoming. Once settled, I rattle off my first question.
In your professional opinion, how has rock and roll influenced fashion?
It was definitely the two together, no doubt. It would then go back and forth, rock influencing fashion, fashion influencing rock. The British invasion in ’64 or ’65 was the beginning. It was Andrew Loog Oldham (manager of the Rolling Stones, who also worked for mod fashion designer Mary Quant in that time period) who helped them create a style. It was Brian Epstein, (manager of the Beatles), deciding that these lower class ruffians known as the Beatles were never going to make it in their jeans and leather jackets. He just thought, they’re never really going to make it looking like that. In a funny way, Brian, of course, made them famously look respectable in the most conservative suits! That was his doing. When we saw the Beatles, it’s easy to say it was the music, but it 
wasn’t just the music. It really wasn’t. It was the suits, and at every single show they did, it was different suits and the hairstyle and all that. It was the package, of which fashion was an essential component.
Did the fact that these two men were pretty flamboyant themselves have any bearing on the style and fashion of their bands and of culture in general?
There’s something about that mixture. It was the gay and heterosexual community coming together. Working together in an interesting way. This was what I mean about the whole hair thing. They looked like girls. That was what turned that generation of parents off. Oh my god, my young boy looks like a girl. It wasn’t necessarily a sexual thing, it was mixing up the look of what defined gender. It was about rebellion, it was about being liberated, and it was about being free. It was an entirely different attitude. I believe the day the gay people left rock and roll was the day fashion went with it, and certain aspects of rock and roll became less interesting. I hate the regular guy look. Flannel shirts? I mean please …you know that sort of we-don’t-want-to-be-stars look?
What about musicians of today, anybody stand out?
We need people to be celebrities. I want rock and roll stars that want to be stars. We need that. Personality has been driven out of our culture. You know? I don’t know where it went, but we don’t have it anymore. Certainly in the rock and roll world, and I miss it! I miss it! I miss that personality thing. I don’t know where it went. The whole pop world has nothing to do with it. It went to Lady Gaga; it’s gone Gaga! I like that. I like the fact that she exists; I like the fact that Madonna exists. Anybody who’s like pushing things, having fun, dressing and feeling silly. Elton John, Marilyn Manson, you know what I mean, Boy George, whoever it is. Just expressing themselves in some kind of way that is personal. I think it helps the other freaks of the world, the young freaks that need a freak to look up to.
How would you describe your personal style?
Doesn’t exist. I have never thought about it. After a car accident, I was left with the choice of hairpiece or bandanna. I’ll go with the bandanna. If I was a Supreme Court judge, I couldn’t have done that. Being rock and roll you could do it. Right away you’re doing that. I kind of have always been attracted to eastern philosophy. It was an influence I got turned onto by George Harrison. I like that whole Indian, Moroccan thing. I’ve always felt very much drawn to it, maybe in a previous life or something. Sometimes I’ll wear Carnaby Street type clothes. That British ’60s look. I’m pretty much in arrested development. I never really left the ’60s. We all have our era. My era was the ’60s.
With that, we shook hands once again, and posed for a quick snap in front of the leopard wall in his office space. What a great conversation we had, and what a true artist he is. Nobody does the bandanna look better, got that Bret Michaels? Check out Van Zandt’s weekly syndicated garage rock program, “Little Steven’s Underground Garage.” They’ve even featured Milwaukee band “The Exotics” a few times as segue music between sets. Official website: www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com.
