Musician, producer, actor, activist, and historian Steven Van Zandt will speak at the Centofanti Symposium on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Stambaugh Auditorium. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 27.

Van Zandt is recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on rock and roll. After creating the 'Jersey Shore' sound with the Asbury Jukes, he became a founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. He is also the founder of Renegade Nation, Renegade TV, and Wicked Cool Records, and launched the internationally syndicated radio shows Little Steven's Underground Garage and its 'country cousin' Outlaw Country.

As an actor, Van Zandt co-starred in the acclaimed TV drama 'The Sopranos,'. He has been called 'the ultimate rock and roll rebel' (Real Time with Bill Maher), 'the coolest DJ in the country' (MTV), and 'the planet's most charismatic, dedicated, and visible crusader scrapping to preserve the dirty purity of Rock 'n Roll' (BruceSpringsteen.net).

Van Zandt has organized and performed for political causes for four decades. He created the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation to support music education and help inspire kids to stay in school.

Van Zandt became the first Ambassador for the Ronald McDonald House Charity, and has received countless awards and honors, including the We are Family Foundation's Humanitarian Award for his continued fight against racism.