When you think of someone who truly embodies the term "Renaissance man," Steven Van Zandt is your guy. Most kids dream of becoming rock stars or actors when they grow up, but how many actually achieve both? Steven Van Zandt, now 72, has lived that dream. As the longtime guitarist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Steven has been a household name in the music world for decades. But it wasn’t until he became Silvio Dante, the right-hand man to Tony Soprano on the iconic series "The Sopranos," that his fame skyrocketed to a whole new level. "I had been a little bit famous for a long time," Steven tells Closer. "But I was surprised at the power of TV. The show had only been on for three weeks, and suddenly all anyone wanted to talk about was The Sopranos. It was crazy—just like that, 25 years of rock and roll were erased!"
Even after all these years, Steven continues to thrive across multiple fields—music, acting, radio hosting, writing, producing, and philanthropy. He’s never one to slow down. Recently, he launched Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary, a line of holistic products designed to enhance your daily life. It’s clear that Steven’s creative spirit knows no bounds.
When Did Steven Know He Was Destined for Music?
How old were you when you first realized you wanted to be a musician?
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"I was only 13 when the Beatles came into my life, and that was it. The Beatles, and rock and roll in general, showed me that you could make a living while having fun at the same time. That was a revelation. I remember thinking to myself, 'That’s me.' From that moment on, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life."
What If Music Hadn’t Worked Out?
If your music career didn’t take off, what do you think you would be doing today?
"That’s an interesting question. Honestly, I think I could have been a real-life Soprano! [Laughs] But seriously, I like to think I would have ended up somewhere in show business. However, growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, there wasn’t much show business around. My life took a very unexpected path, so it’s hard to say. But show business always seemed like a natural fit for me."
Bringing Silvio Dante to Life
You played Silvio throughout 'The Sopranos' run. Where did you find inspiration for him?
"I’ve always been fascinated by that world—the mob, the movies, the whole culture. I’ve seen all the early classics. George Raft, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Robert Montgomery, Peter Falk—these guys were my inspirations. I also read every book I could get my hands on about the mob, so I felt like I had a pretty good understanding of that world. When it came to creating Silvio, I drew from all of that."
Who Were You Closest to on Set?
Who were you closest to in the cast?
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"Vinny Pastore [Vinny] has a theater company with my wife Maureen, so I see him a lot. I’m also very friendly with David Chase, the brilliant mind behind the show. I was incredibly close to Tony Sirico, who we tragically lost, and Jimmy Gandolfini, another huge loss. Lorraine Bracco and I became great friends as well. Honestly, we all became a tight-knit group over the years."
Memorable Moments on 'The Sopranos'
Do you have a favorite memory making the show?
"Absolutely. The entire experience was like going to acting school. I had never acted before, so my memories are tied to learning the craft. Working with Jimmy Gandolfini was an incredible experience. You’d do a scene with him, and you’d walk away a better actor just from his intensity and his ability to stay focused. It was inspiring."
David Chase’s Bold Move
Is it true that David Chase asked you to star on 'The Sopranos' without knowing if you could act?
"Absolutely true. David Chase picked me out of nowhere and said he wanted me in his show. I told him, 'David, I’d love to be in your show, but I’m not an actor.' He replied, 'Yes, you are—you just don’t know it yet.' Turns out, he was right."
Steven’s Return to Acting
Do you want to return to acting?
"I definitely do. As soon as this tour with the E Street Band is over, I want to get back on TV. We’ll be out for about two years, but once we’re done, I really want to dive back into acting. I miss it."
Roles He’d Love to Play
Do you have any roles you want to play?
"I have five scripts that I’d love to tackle. I’d even revisit Lilyhammer. It was the first series on Netflix, and a lot of people missed it the first time around. During the pandemic, people rediscovered it, which was great. It still holds endless possibilities."
Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary
How did Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary come about?
"During the pandemic, I heard doctors saying that the virus was attacking our immune systems. I thought, 'We need to strengthen our immune systems.' A good friend of mine, David Roth, has been in the wellness business for years, using raw ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and kava. I thought, 'Let’s use these ingredients to create fun, effective products.' Now you can enjoy your coffee, tea, or even brownies, knowing they’re actually good for you."
Supporting TeachRock.org
A percentage of the line’s profits benefit TeachRock.org. Why is this organization important to you?
"TeachRock.org is my pride and joy. We’re creating a music history curriculum for schools. It’s outrageous that art is often treated as secondary in the education system. I believe it’s essential to our quality of life. We’re developing a new teaching methodology for this generation, who are smarter and faster than us and have zero patience. Our long-term goal is to help reduce the dropout rate in poor neighborhoods, which is a major issue."
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