Bruce Springsteen Announced as 2012 South By Southwest Keynote Speaker

South By Southwest Media Conference and Festival, the annual gathering of music, film and tech industry professionals, today announced that rock legend Bruce Springsteen will be keynote speaker for the 2012 confab. The address will take place on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the Austin Convention Center, where SXSW hosts dozens of panels, a trade show and performances.

our editor recommends

Bruce Springsteen Announces New Album, Tour for 2012

Subject of Bruce Springsteen's 'Glory Days' Revealed

'Glee' EP Wants Bruce Springsteen to Guest Star

STORY: Bruce Springsteen on Clarence Clemons: 'His Love Will Live on in our Band'

The Boss joins keynote alumni like the late Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Lucinda Williams, Robert Plant, Pete Townshend, Smokey Robinson and Neil Young.

The speech will be open to all music and platinum registrants of SXSW, which showcases over 2000 acts from some 55 countries on 90 stages throughout downtown Austin. Conference registration is now open.

STORY: 7 Things You Didn't Know About Clarence Clemons

It was recently announced that a 2012 tour will take Springsteen and his E Street Band across the U.S. and to Europe. The first dates revealed are in England beginning June 21. It will be the first outing since the June death of saxophonist Clarence Clemons. Springsteen is also close to completing a new album to be released next year. 

Twitter: @THRMusic