[DoughnutHole]

I'd say that guy was honing in on "entertainer" - Springsteen is a much better performer and entertainer than he is a songwriter or musician generally. The man's still performing incredible 3 hour shows at 72 years old.

I'm not aware of him doing any social media influencing - he had earned his reputation long before social media.

[lapcat]

Born in the USA (1984) is one of the best selling albums of all time, something like 30 million copies. You can say it's touring, but I say that album is the thing that made him huge.

And it wasn't just album sales. At the time it was also constantly on radio and MTV (back when MTV played music).

[bruce511]

I'd say he's a very good song writer, average (professional) singer, great entertainer.

His Broadway show (currently on Netflix) is deeply inciteful and demonstrative of his path, and his skill as an entertainer.

It's harder to break out now with everyone one and their friend having a youtube channel, but don't underestimate the amount of work it took for Bruce to breakout in the early 70s. It was ever thus for entertainers, thousands aspire and only a very few make it.