Back in the 1970’s a young photographer who lived in West Conshohocken met Bruce Springsteen while covering musical performances at The Main Point in Bryn Mawr. He immediately saw something special in the up-and-coming artist.

They eventually became friends and now photos of those early days are in an exhibit in Conshohocken, writes Rita Giordano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Phil Ceccola supported his friend’s musical dreams by letting him camp out on his couch and taking photos at all his shows.

Ceccola captured intimate shots of The Boss that give a glimpse into how it all began for the rock star.

The work of the late Phil Ceccola, an accomplished rock photographer who has taken pictures of Rick Springfield, Billy Joel, and David Bowie as well, will be a part of “50 Years of Bruce Springsteen Music Celebration,” a free exhibit of photographs, concert posters, gold and platinum records and other memorabilia at Coll’s Custom Framing & Gallery.

The work of other photographers including Alex Lowy and Scott Weiner will also be on display. The exhibit opens on August 12 and runs through September 2, coinciding with Springsteen’s concerts at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park.

Ceccola died from brain cancer in 2003 at age 48. His younger brother, Russ Ceccola, said if Phil was still alive, he would be excited about his photos showing at the same time his old friend was back in town.

‘He’d be over the moon, and he would tell stories all day,” Russ said. “He’d love it. You’d never shut him up.”

See some of the photos and read more about Ceccola’s friendship with Springsteen in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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