This rare signed sheet music features Out of Work by Gary U.S. Bonds, autographed by the legendary singer himself. Released in 1982 on the album On the Line, Out of Work was written and produced by Bruce Springsteen, continuing the creative partnership that had revitalized Bonds’ career a year earlier with the hit This Little Girl. With its upbeat sound layered over lyrics addressing unemployment and economic struggle, the song struck a chord with listeners during the early 1980s recession. It became a charting single and is often remembered as one of Bonds’ most spirited recordings of his comeback era. The track is a perfect example of how Bonds’ rhythm and blues roots meshed seamlessly with Springsteen’s blue-collar rock sensibility. Gary U.S. Bonds (born Gary Levone Anderson in 1939) first rose to fame in the early 1960s with hits like New Orleans and the chart-topping Quarter to Three. Known for his energetic live performances and infectious party anthems, Bonds helped shape the sound of early rock and roll with his distinctive, soulful voice. Though his commercial success slowed later in the decade, his resurgence in the early 1980s—thanks to Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt—brought him back into the spotlight. Albums like Dedication and On the Line not only reintroduced him to the charts but also showcased his ability to adapt his classic sound to a new era of rock audiences. Owning this signed sheet music for Out of Work is more than acquiring an autograph—it is a piece of music history that bridges early rock ’n’ roll with the heartland rock of the 1980s. It celebrates Bonds’ unique role as both a pioneer of the 1960s R&B/rock crossover and as a respected elder statesman who continued to evolve and inspire decades later.

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