Vini Lopez

Who is Vini Lopez?

Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez is an American drummer. Between 1968 and 1974 Lopez backed Bruce Springsteen in several bands, including Steel Mill and the E Street Band. He also played on Springsteen’s first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle. After leaving the E Street Band, Lopez went on to play drums with numerous Jersey Shore bands, including The Lord Gunner Group. Since 2004 he has led his own band, Steel Mill Retro, which has performed and recorded original Springsteen songs from the Steel Mill era. As of August 2008 Lopez lives in Jackson Township, New Jersey, with his daughter, Liz, who is an accountant. His wife, Laurel, died in 2004. When not playing in various bands, his most current work is with the Endless New Jersey Shore band that plays 2-4 times weekly "License to Chill" with lead singer Vince Berardi. Lopez has worked as a golf caddy.

In April 2014, Lopez was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.