Roy J. Bittan (born July 2, 1949)[1] is an American[2] musician best known as a long-time member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

Bittan provided backing vocals for the song Thunder Road, along with Steven Van Zandt and Mike Appel.

Aside from his membership in the E Street Band, Bittan has worked as a session musician for singer-songwriters and rock and pop artists, including Bonnie Tyler,[8] Jon Bon Jovi, David Bowie, Jackson Browne, Lucinda Williams, Tracy Chapman, Chicago, Catie Curtis, Dire Straits, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Ian Hunter, Meat Loaf, Stevie Nicks, Bob Seger, Lou Reed, Celine Dion, Nelly Furtado, Patty Smyth, and Jim Steinman.

Composer Jim Steinman wanted Bittan for the album due to his love for Springsteen's early work, particularly on Born to Run.

Mark Knopfler's decision to have the keyboardist on the album's lineup was reportedly influenced by his affection for "Because the Night",[citation needed] a keyboard-driven hit song cowritten by Springsteen and Patti Smith.

About the time that the album reached number one in the United States (and Springsteen's The River Tour concluded), Bittan joined as a sideman on a short tour with Nicks along with some of the other top musicians of the day: Benmont Tench on organ, bass guitarist Bob Glaub, Waddy Wachtel on guitar, Russ Kunkel on drums, and Bobbeye Hall on percussion.