’70s Musician With Major Hit Song Dead at 74

Madz DizonSat, April 4, 2026 at 1:55 AM UTC

0

(Photo by Elisa Schu/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Tzruya “Suki” Lahav, a musician and writer whose work touched both American rock history and Israeli culture, has died at the age of 74.

Lahav passed away on Wednesday in Jerusalem after a battle with cancer, according to her family. She was best known internationally for her brief but memorable time performing with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in the mid-1970s, a period associated with the legendary Born to Run era.

Her son shared the news publicly, describing her as “a special, wise, pure-hearted woman who loved life” and whose songs “touched the hearts of so many.”

Although Lahav did not write or headline the hit “Born to Run,” her contributions to the album’s sessions, especially her violin work on “Jungleland,” helped shape its powerful sound.

Lahav joined Springsteen’s circle in the early 1970s after moving to the United States with her then-husband, recording engineer Louis Lahav. She became part of the E Street Band in late 1974 and performed in dozens of concerts during a crucial time before Springsteen rose to global fame.

According to Variety, she also lent her voice to 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy), where she created a choir-like backing vocal after a children’s choir failed to appear for the session. Though uncredited at the time, her performance became one of the song’s defining elements.

Springsteen later honored her with a heartfelt tribute, saying:“Here on E Street, we’re heartbroken over the passing of Suki Lahav. Her angelic voice shone on ‘4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)’ and her beautiful violin brought great drama to the ‘Jungleland’ intro… She was a wonderful friend, may she rest with the angels.”

Lahav performed about 38 shows with the band between 1974 and 1975. Her presence on stage, often described as graceful and striking, offered a contrast to Springsteen’s energetic style.

Advertisement

Despite her short time with the group, fans remained fascinated by her role in that early chapter of rock history.

After leaving the band in 1975, Lahav returned to Israel, where she built a long and successful career far beyond her time in American rock music.

She became one of Israel’s most respected lyricists, writing songs that would go on to become classics. Her work included lyrics for major artists and even the country’s entry in the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest.

In addition to music, Lahav expanded her creative work into film and literature. She wrote the screenplay for the crime film Kesher Dam and authored award-winning novels such as Andre’s Wooden Clogs and The Swamp Queen Does the Tango.

Her achievements earned her major honors, including a lifetime achievement award for her contributions to music and culture.

Even with her success in Israel, Lahav never forgot her time with Springsteen. In later interviews, she spoke fondly of those early days, once saying, “It’s not the main thing in my life, but it’s a part of me that will never fade.”

While her name may not be as widely recognized as others from the Born to Run era, Lahav’s influence remains clear. Her violin helped shape one of rock’s most iconic albums, and her voice added depth to songs that fans still cherish today.

Related: '90s Heavy Metal Rocker Postpones His Own Concert Dates to Join Bruce Springsteen Tour

This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”