Earned the nickname "Miami Steve" because of the tropical brightly colored clothes he favored as a young man.
Played guitar and sang backup vocals for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band from 1975 to 1984; rejoined the band after a world tour in 1999.
Has twice been honored by the United Nations for his human-rights activism. Formed the all-star musical group Artists United Against Apartheid to record the single "Sun City" in 1985.
Brother Billy married actress Adrienne Barbeau in 1992.
Was cast in The Sopranos after series creator David Chase saw Van Zandt induct '60s hitmakers the Rascals into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Backup band for the 1999 album Born Again Savage included U2's Adam Clayton on bass and Jason Bonham on drums.
Created the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to history of rock and roll, in 2007.