Suki Lahav, violinist on Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ track ‘Jungleland,’ dead at 74

Israeli-born musician Suki Lahav, whose violin work is heard on Bruce Springsteen’s iconic Born to Run track “Jungleland,” has died at the age of 74.

Her death was confirmed by her son, musician Yonatan Albalak, in a post on Facebook. 

“She wrote songs that touched people’s hearts,” he wrote. “She was a special woman, smart, pure in heart and loving life. She was the best mom I could ever ask for.”

The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music also announced her death, noting “she contributed to the early sound of Bruce Springsteen’s breakthrough era.”

“Lahav went on to become a major figure in Israeli music and literature, leaving behind a lasting legacy as both a songwriter and poet,” the post added.

Tzruya “Suki” Lahav came to America from Israel in 1971 with her husband, recording engineer Louis Lahav, who worked with Springsteen on his early albums Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle. She began working with The Boss in the mid-’70s and briefly joined The E Street Band. Her appearance on “Jungleland” was her most notable contribution to Springsteen’s music, with her violin solo opening the song.