Original E Street Band Drummer Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Ten of the past and present members of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 29th annual induction ceremony on April 10. The E Street Band’s original drummer, Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez, was among the band members inducted.

Lopez played percussion on Springsteen’s first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. Lopez’s time with the band ended the next year, but that didn’t stop him from rocking. He currently performs with License to Chill and a few other New Jersey-based bands and even joins Springsteen and the E Street Band on stage on occasion.

For Lopez, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame is just the tip of the iceberg. Before the ceremony, he told ABC News Radio that what he looked forward to most was getting together with Springsteen and the rest of the band and having a jam session. That’s right. Springsteen was not only in attendance but inducted the members himself. The evening ended with the entire group taking the stage to play “The E Street Shuffle,” with both Lopez and current E Street Band drummer, Max Weinberg, playing the drums. Weinberg was also inducted. You can catch the ceremony at 9 p.m. May 31 on HBO.

Congrats to Vini Lopez on making the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, from everyone here at X8 Drums! It’s always a pleasure and inspiration to see a fellow percussionist receive such an honor.