Patti Scialfa revealed a diagnosis she has been facing in a new documentary about her rockstar husband. Details have been shared online.
The wife of legendary musician Bruce Springsteen addressed a diagnosis she received years ago. Her words were shared in “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band” — a documentary that premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday evening, September 8.
Patti Scialfa speaking during the 15th Annual Induction Ceremony in Newark, New Jersey on October 29, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Patti Scialfa disclosed that she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which is a type of blood cancer, in 2018. In the documentary that shares a contemplative look at Springsteen and his tight-knit circle of musical collaborators, Springsteen’s wife and E Street bandmate spoke about how her illness has made it challenging for her to perform.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (including Patti Scialfa) performing at the RDS Arena in Dublin, Ireland on May 5, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Given the toll her illness takes on her health, Scialfa shared how she has taken a step back from touring. Shedding some light on her diagnosis, she divulged, “This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go.”
Patti Scialfa performing at a concert in Milan, Italy on July 3, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
She went on to speak about how her new normal looks. On this, she disclosed how she is only able to manage a show or two and sing a few songs on stage. Nonetheless, Scialfa noted, “[That’s] been a treat. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.”
Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen performing with Tony Orlando and Steven Van Zandt during the 15th Annual Induction Ceremony in Newark, New Jersey on October 29, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Scialfa, who has been an E Street band member since 1984, seven years before she married Springsteen in 1991, did not attend the documentary premiere. However, whether or not this was the case because of her illness was not confirmed.
Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, Thom Zimny, and Jon Landau at the premiere of “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band” during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Ontario on September 8, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Apart from revealing her blood cancer diagnosis, Patti Scialfa also shared some words about performing with her husband in “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.”
The artist, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, spoke about how performing on stage with Springsteen offers the audience an unseen side of their relationship.
Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen performing at the Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards in New York City on September 29, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Like his wife, Bruce Springsteen has also experienced his fair share of health issues, which have prompted tour postponements in the past as well. His 2023 tour was postponed following his peptic ulcer disease diagnosis.
In March of this year (2024), Springsteen opened up about his diagnosis in a past SiriusXM interview he did where he shared his fear about potentially not being able to perform again.
He revealed how there was once a time when he couldn’t sing at all, and divulged the immense pain he would experience in his diaphragm when he would even just attempt to sing. The “Dancing in the Dark” artist also shared how his inability to sing lasted for about two to three months.
Bruce Springsteen performing at a concert, posted on August 30, 2024 | Source: Instagram/springsteen
Dr. Sophie Balzora, a gastroenterologist, confirmed that the difficulty Springsteen was experiencing with his diaphragm was likely related to abdominal pain caused by his peptic ulcer condition.
“And when you think about the diaphragm separating the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity, you can imagine, you know, he may have a lot of difficulty just taking large, deep breaths and belting out those lyrics,” explained Dr. Balzora of Springsteen’s disease.
Bruce Springsteen | Source: Instagram/springsteen
Luckily, Springsteen was able to get treatment from skilled doctors so he could perform again. At the time, a “Good Morning America” (“GMA”) co-host confirmed that Springsteen’s world tour was set to hit 17 countries across 52 dates.
However, a month after Springsteen’s SiriusXM interview and following the “GMA” confirmation about his tour, Springsteen’s team announced a postponement in May.
Their message, shared via an Instagram caption, explained that the music icon had to reschedule his Orange Vélodrome show in Marseille under doctor’s orders because he had still been suffering from “vocal issues.”
“We thank you for your understanding and will keep you informed of the new date very soon. Show tickets will be valid for the new date and, for those who want, they will be eligible for reimbursement at point of purchase,” stated the end of their announcement.
The day after Springsteen’s team shared news about his Marseille show postponement, they posted another update explaining additional deferrals.
This statement disclosed that following further consultations and examinations by medical professionals, it was determined that Springsteen should not perform for the ten days that followed the announcement.
The message also discussed the changes to the original show dates in Prague and Milan and explained how tickets would be refunded to those seeking to do so.
Springsteen’s team then clarified, “Bruce is recuperating comfortably, and he and the E Street Band look forward to resuming their hugely successful European stadium tour on June 12 in Madrid at the magnificent Civitas Metropolitan.”