Happy National Boss Day — but don't tell Bruce Springsteen: Why he hates his nickname

Happy National Boss Day — but don't tell Bruce Springsteen.

He hates being called the Boss.

Yes, Oct. 16 is National Boss Day, created in 1958 when Illinois resident Patricia Bays Haroski registered National Boss’ Day with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Her boss was also her dad. Illinois Governor Otto Kerner made the date official in 1962 by proclamation, and here we are.

Springsteen was called the Boss by bandmates even before he became famous. The Boss was in charge, on stage and off. Before and after shows, Springsteen was the main guy.

“My recollection was the Boss was a result of paying (band members and crew) at the end of the week,” said Springsteen to Mark Hagen for Mojo in 1999. The interview is included in the “Talk About a Dream” compilation edited by Christopher Phillips and Louis R. Masur.

“It was never meant for public dissemination," Springsteen said.

Springsteen: 'I hate being called the Boss'

Once the Boss nickname became known outside of the intimate band circle, Springsteen regretted it. The nickname is contrary to Springsteen's hard-working everyman ethos.

“Well, the thing I have with this 'Boss' is funny, because it came from people ... who work around you,” said Springsteen to Dave DiMartino in a 1980 Creem magazine interview, also in “Talk About a Dream.”

"And then, somebody started to do it on the radio. I hate being called 'Boss' (laughs). I just do. Always did from the beginning. I hate bosses. I hate being called the Boss.”

National Boss Day comes a few weeks after New Jersey residents celebrated Bruce Springsteen Day, which saw the singer turning 74 years old.

Springsteen and the E Street Band are taking a break from their tour as the "Born to Run" singer is being treated for symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. Earlier this month, the band announced the new dates for this fall's rescheduled U.S. shows, which will take place in March and April as well as August and September 2024.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY

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