Former E Street Band violinist Suki Lahav dead at 74
Suzi Lahav, the former violinist with Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, has died aged 74.
Lahav’s son, Yonatan Albalak, confirmed the news of his mother’s passing in a Facebook post, confirming that she died on April 1st due to cancer.
Albalak wrote, “Yesterday afternoon my beloved and beautiful mother, Zeruya Lahav was gathered into infinity after a short and hard battle with the cursed disease. She wrote songs that touched people’s hearts.”
He mournfully added, “She was a special woman, smart, pure in heart and loving life. She was the best mom I could ever ask for. In the family’s decision there will be no Shiva, and the funeral will be private too.”
Lahav was born and raised in Israel, but moved to the United States in the early 1970s as her husband, Louis Lahav, was a recording engineer, and it was through him that she became acquainted with Springsteen.
During her time in Springsteen’s orbit, Lahav’s most notable contribution was providing the violin on the opening section of his classic song ‘Jungleland‘ from Born to Run. Lahav also delivered backing vocals on a number of tracks, including ‘4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)’.
Lahav also spent a brief period as part of the E Street Band as a touring musician, but left in 1975 when she chose to return to Israel.
Upon moving back to Israel, Lahav continued to have a long and successful career as a songwriter, screenplay writer, as well as an author.
During a 2007 interview with The Jerusalem Post, she recalled her time as a member of The E Street Band, “The music was incredible. The lyrics were so rich; some of the most beautiful lyrics didn’t ever make it onto record.”
Lahav reflected, “Everybody knew that he was going to be this big artist. But we were all poor. Bruce was poor. We were all just completely into this thing.”
The violinist also said that she still went back to listen to those early Springsteen records, but insisted, “It’s not the main thing in my life, but it’s a part of me that will never fade.”
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