Bruce Springsteen is 65 years old today. In 365 days, he can legally file for full social security.

But for now, there seems to be no need.

The only type of security The Boss currently requires is a troop of brawny, polo-shirted men standing below stage to keep scores of fans under control during his monstrous arena shows. Also, someone to stand watch at the gates guarding his lavish Rumson home and horse farm in Colts Neck.

Note: If you are reading this on our mobile app, open a web browser and click on this link for better viewing.

It’s odd to think of the boisterous rock star, who for years represented the young, blue-jeaned, working-class male being classified as a senior citizen. An entire, rock-loving generation associates Bruce with their rollicking youth, but the facts of life are inevitable — as a fan base grows older, so do its icons.

A retirement plan, however, does not appear to be on the horizon for New Jersey’s most transcendent rock export.

After more than 40 years of touring, 18 albums and 65 million U.S. records sold, Springsteen and his faithful E Street Band are still one of the music world’s premier acts, annually traveling the globe and selling out each venue within minutes. The legendary singer’s life has been broken down, dissected and analyzed by fans for years, but on the day that Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen was born into the world, at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, we take a look at the Boss “on the 5’s.”

Here's a recap of the what, when and where in Springsteen's life and career at 15 years old, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65. Also slide the photos below to see both pictures of the man through the years, as well as his popular albums at each milestone.



BRUCE AT 15

Slide the photo from left to right

Before he made his mark on Asbury Park, Belmar and Long Branch, there was Freehold for a 15-year-old Springsteen. His family had moved to a duplex at 68 South Street in 1963, and the teen attended Freehold Boro High School, graduating in 1967.

As he watched The Beatles’ rapid rise to fame, particularly their February 1964 showing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” Springsteen began performing locally, namely the Freehold Elks lodge. He joined his first band, The Castiles, in Freehold, and would practice near the town’s Vineyard Park.

BRUCE AT 25

Slide the photo from left to right

On his 25th birthday, Springsteen sat on the cusp of breakthrough success. He was two albums deep into his professional career, and although 1972's "Greetings From Asbury Park" and 1973's "The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle" had received critical acclaim, record sales remained low. But at 25, Springsteen was in the midst of writing and recording "Born to Run," an album that would endear him to fans nationwide and usher him onto a path of incredible success.

The album was released Aug. 25, 1975 and marked his first batch of nationwide hits, including “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and has sold more than six million copies to date.

At the time, Bruce was still a regular at Asbury Park rock clubs The Stone Pony, Fast Lanes, and Student Prince, as well as State Theatre in New Brunswick and Le Garage on Long Beach Island.

Springsteen has said he wrote much of “Born to Run” in his home at 7 ½ West End, a small, white bungalow in Long Branch where he lived in 1974 and 75.

BRUCE AT 35

Slide the photo from left to right

Of his mid-milestone birthdays, 35 was easily Bruce’s most rewarding. His wildly popular “Born in the U.S.A.” album was released June 4, 1984 and with it came commercial super-stardom unseen with “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” “The River” and “Nebraska,” released between 1978 and 1982.

Between 1984 and 1985 he played the Meadowlands 17 times — he rocked Brendan Byrne Arena (now IZOD Center) 11 times and Giants Stadium 6 times.

Seven tunes off “Born in the U.S.A.” cracked the Billboard Top 10.

Despite its despondent lyrics regarding the Vietnam War, the record's title track morphed into a pro-American anthem, and was used by several politicians in their rallies and campaigns, including President Ronald Reagan for a brief period.

On his enormous Born in the U.S.A. tour, Springsteen met his future wife Julianne Phillips. They were married from 1985 to 1989.

BRUCE AT 45

Slide the photo from left to right

Two years removed from 1992’s double-release of albums “Human Touch” and “Lucky Town,” without his famed E Street Band, Bruce’s 45th birthday fell in a more low-key year for touring. The Boss only played a handful of shows and appearances, the largest being a set at Marz American Style in Long Branch.

"Streets of Philadelphia," a single written for the 1993 film "Philadelphia," starring Tom Hanks was Bruce's new hit in 1994, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and certified gold (500,000 copies sold) in the U.S. The tune won an Oscar and Golden Globe award for Best Original Song, and took home four Grammys in 1995. Springsteen played the song live at each of the three ceremonies.

All the while, Springsteen was gearing up for his 11th release, the folksy and less-memorable “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” which landed in 1995, as well as his “Greatest Hits” album. His induction into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame would come a few years later, in 1999.

BRUCE AT 55

Slide the photo from left to right

After spending the '90s in what he now calls a "lost period" without the E Street Band, Springsteen and his mates were very much back in full swing by the time the Boss's 55th birthday rolled around.

The group was still riding the success of 2002's "The Rising," a chest-thumping record written in reaction to the Sept. 11 attacks. The record's spirited sound marked — for some — Springsteen's return to the rock n' roll that brought him so much fame in the '70s and '80s. It was his first album released with The E Street Band in 18 years.

Springsteen’s main focus in 2004 was the “Vote For Change” campaign — and subsequent eponymous tour — as he stumped for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. The tour included a Continental Airlines Arena (now IZOD Center) show Oct. 13, and featured special guests Jackson Browne, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty.

Before election season, Springsteen and the E Street Band played nine shows in Monmouth County in ‘04 — six in Asbury Park alone.

BRUCE AT 65

Slide the photo from left to right

And here we are. Today, on his 65th birthday, Bruce is one of rock's most respected elder statesmen. New ideas are still flowing, though. His latest album, the generally well-received "High Hopes," was released Jan. 14 and he's spent most of the year touring in support of it throughout South Africa, Australia and a full U.S. tour this past spring.

He also co-directed and released a short film centered on "Hunter of Invisible Game," a track from "High Hopes," in July.

Bruce played a guest appearance at the Light of Day Benefit at Asbury Park’s Paramount Theatre in January. He hasn’t played New Jersey with The E Street Band since the group played three nights at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Sept. 19-22, 2012 on the Wrecking Ball Tour.

For now, Springsteen has no upcoming tour dates scheduled, but that shouldn’t last long. The Boss doesn’t tend to sit still for very long.

How much longer can he keep this pace? Time will tell, but for now, tramps like us say cheers to the rock star on his big day, and hopes for — dare we say — a recap of “Bruce at 75.”

Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.