Award-winning photographer Joe Vitti still vividly remembers the night he encountered Bruce Springsteen in a small college town bar in 1976, capturing what would become an iconic image with just a single shot. The remarkable photograph of "The Boss" was taken during Springsteen's visit to Athens, Ohio, and has since become a treasured piece of rock and roll photography history.
The memorable encounter took place on March 31, 1976, the night before Springsteen and his band were scheduled to perform at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, a small town with a population of 24,824. Word quickly spread that The Boss had been spotted at Swankys, a local bar that has since closed its doors. Student photographer Vitti, working for the college newspaper The Post, immediately ran the short distance from the newspaper office to the bar to capture this unexpected opportunity.
At Swankys, Vitti illuminated the dimly lit venue using a bare-bulb Honeywell Strobonar flash mounted on his trusty Nikon F camera. With remarkable precision and perhaps a bit of luck, he exposed just one frame of Tri-X black-and-white film before racing back to the college newspaper's darkroom to process his precious shot. The gamble paid off spectacularly, resulting in a striking portrait that would endure for decades.
The Post published Vitti's photograph with an extended caption under the compelling headline "Cruisin with Bruce." The accompanying text was written by student journalist Mary Beth Sofranec, now known as Mary Beth Bardin, who conducted a brief but insightful interview with Springsteen at the bar that evening. Dan Sewell, who served as editor of the college newspaper during 1976-1977, recalls the excitement surrounding the publication of this exclusive content.
According to Sofranec, who was present during the photo session, Springsteen was actually looking directly at her when Vitti captured the now-famous image. This detail adds an intimate quality to the photograph, showing The Boss in an unguarded moment during his early career. The following day, Vitti attended the Springsteen concert in Athens with friends from Cleveland, describing it as a "rockin' good time."
The timing of this story's resurgence is particularly relevant given the recent release of the new Bruce Springsteen biographical film "Deliver Me From Nowhere" on October 24, 2025. The movie has triggered a flood of memories and nostalgic reflections about Springsteen's performances, rock history, and the countless photographers who documented his legendary career. Vitti's single frame stands as a testament to the power of being in the right place at the right time with camera in hand.
All three key figures from that memorable night went on to achieve significant success in their respective careers. After graduating from Ohio University in 1977, Vitti built an impressive career in photojournalism, working for newspapers in Tucson from 1977 to 1984, Los Angeles from 1984 to 1990, and Indianapolis from 1990 to 2014. His excellence in the field was recognized when he received the prestigious President's Award from the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) in 1996.
Mary Beth Bardin transitioned from student journalism to become a leader in corporate communications, eventually serving as executive vice president for public affairs and communication at telecommunications giant Verizon from 1988 to 2004. Dan Sewell pursued a distinguished career with The Associated Press, starting in Buffalo in 1977 and working in various major cities including Miami, San Juan, Atlanta, Chicago, and Cincinnati, where he retired in 2021 after decades of exemplary service.
The new Springsteen film "Deliver Me From Nowhere" stars Jeremy Allen White, known for his roles in "Shameless" and "The Bear," as the legendary musician. The movie is based on Warren Zanes' acclaimed book "Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska," focusing specifically on Springsteen's creative journey while crafting his influential 1982 album Nebraska. This marks the first time Springsteen, now 76 years old, has allowed his story to be dramatized in a feature film.
Music writer Ben Sisario of The New York Times noted that the film has "arrived preloaded with hype" from its earliest appearances at film festivals. The anticipation surrounding the movie speaks to Springsteen's enduring cultural impact and the public's continued fascination with his artistic process and personal story. For photographers like Vitti, whose single frame captured a moment in rock history, the film serves as a reminder of photography's power to preserve and celebrate musical legacy.
