Remembering Israeli Violinist Tzruya "Suki" Lahav: A Musical Journey with the E Street Band
Israeli violinist Tzruya "Suki" Lahav, known for her time touring with the E Street Band in the mid-1970s, passed away at the age of 74 after battling cancer. Lahav's connection with Bruce Springsteen began in 1972 when her husband worked on Springsteen's album "Greetings From Asbury Park." She later contributed to Springsteen's albums "The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle" and "Born to Run," including the iconic violin intro to "Jungleland."
During a recording session for "The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle," Lahav filled in for a missing church choir on the track "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)." This led to her unofficially becoming a one-woman choir through overdubs. Lahav officially joined the E Street Band in 1974 after drummer Ernest "Boom Carter" and keyboardist David Sancious left the group. She made her debut with the band at New York City's Avery Fisher Hall in October 1974.
Lahav's violin work added a haunting quality to Springsteen's music, particularly on songs like "Jungleland" and "Incident on 57th Street." Despite her short time with the E Street Band, Lahav made a lasting impact on Springsteen's live performances. After her final concert with the band in March 1975, Lahav returned to Israel with her husband, where she found success in the music industry.
In Israel, Lahav worked with the Israeli Kibbutz Orchestra, wrote novels, and composed hit songs for local artists. Her son described her as a special and wise woman who touched people's hearts with her music. Lahav cherished her time with Springsteen, emphasizing the freedom and creativity she found in his songwriting. Her legacy lives on through her music and the impact she made during her time with the E Street Band.