Bruce Springsteen’s wife and E Street Band member Patti Scialfa disclosed that she had been battling cancer for a number of years.
In the September 8 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Springsteen’s new documentary Rock Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Scialfa revealed that she received a multiple myeloma diagnosis in 2018.
Variety reports that the singer-songwriter had to make the tough choice to step back because the diagnosis made it impossible for her to tour with her husband and the E Street Band.
“This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go,” she said. “Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.”
Prior to this, Scialfa told the Asbury Park Press that she chose to focus on her solo album and spend more time with her granddaughter Lily Springsteen, who was born in July 2022, by choosing to play a small number of dates on Springsteen’s current tour, which started in February 2023.
“I didn’t feel as needed in a way because there were a lot of musicians on stage,” the guitarist said. “I did the first couple of shows, and as I saw how it was all rolling, I thought, ‘This is good. This is completely intact. There’s not much room for me to add anything special.’”
“And the main thing was I have a record that I couldn’t have finished when Bruce was home because he’s in the studio all the time. So I took that opportunity to do my record.”
It’s not just Scialfa who has health problems. Due to his continuous treatment for peptic ulcer disease, Springsteen was forced to postpone his remaining 2023 tour dates in September 2023.
Once more, a medical condition forced him to cancel tour dates in the early summer of 2024. Fortunately, it only affected three dates this time around due to “vocal issues.”
My thoughts and prayers are with Patti Scialfa as she fights multiple myeloma.