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
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, and earlier this year, the music icon had to reschedule some of his shows under doctor’s orders because he had still been suffering from “vocal issues.”
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. More details on the story will follow shortly.