Steven Van Zandt based Silvio Dante's relationship with Tony Soprano on his own friendship with Bruce Springsteen

New Jersey sweetheart Steven Van Zandt had plenty of practice giving hard truths to his friend Bruce Springsteen long before he ever had to do the same for Tony Soprano. Ahead of the E Street Band member’s memoir, Van Zandt tells The Times his friendship with the iconic rocker influenced his role of character Silvio…