Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen’s wife and a longtime member of the E Street Band, has revealed she was diagnosed with cancer in 2018.
Scialfa said she has multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, which came to light in the upcoming documentary “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday. The documentary will be released via Hulu and Disney+ on Oct. 25.
The 71-year-old singer and guitarist said in the documentary she received the diagnosis six years ago while working with Springsteen on his Broadway production, “Springsteen on Broadway.” Scialfa said the condition has affected her ability to tour with the band.
“Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs onstage, and that’s been a treat,” Scialfa said in the documentary. “That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.”
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cells. Cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow, affecting healthy blood cells.
Scialfa grew up in Deal on the Jersey Shore and graduated from Asbury Park High School. She joined the E Street Band shortly before the Born in the USA Tour in 1984. She married Springsteen in 1991, and they have three children together.
“Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band” is a documentary that follows Springsteen and the E Street Band as they prepare for and then perform on their first tour since 2017.
Springsteen opened up about his wife’s diagnosis after the documentary’s screening in Toronto, crediting fans unwavering support as the reason he is able to push through.
“You’re not alone,” Springsteen said. “I can look to my left, Stevie’s there. To my right, Nils [Lofgren] is there. When Patti’s able to make it, I can see her there.”
--Onstage after the screening with Stevie Van Zandt, music producer Jon Landau and director Thom Zimny, Springsteen said that the unwavering support of Scialfa and the E Street Band are what make it possible for him to be a frontman.
The Boss added: “I can look around and see Jake [Clemons]. When I see Jake, I see Jake, but I also see Clarence [Clemons]. Roy [Bittan], Max [Weinberg]. So I’m not alone.”
--“If I went tomorrow, it’s OK,” Springsteen said. “What a f – – kin’ ride.”
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