Bruce Springsteen inked his first deal with Columbia Records on June 9, 1972. After building a loyal fan base in his hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey, Springsteen was granted an audition with legendary Columbia talent scout John Hammond. In “Two Hearts,” Hammond says he knew that Springsteen was going to be an icon, immediately proclaiming, “I couldn’t believe it. I reacted with a force I’ve felt maybe three times in my life. I knew at once that he would last a generation.”By January 1973, Springsteen had released his debut effort “Greetings from Asbury Park, New Jersey.” That album helped the Boss expand his audience and gain the critical acclaim needed to cash in on his mega-hit third album, “Born to Run.”