Patti Scialfa, the talented guitarist and wife of Bruce Springsteen, has opened up about her ongoing health battle in the newly premiered documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The shocking revelation that Scialfa, 71, has been quietly fighting multiple myeloma-a form of blood cancer-since 2018 has left fans stunned.
The news broke at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday night, where the documentary debuted. Scialfa shared that her cancer diagnosis was the reason she had to step back from performing with Springsteen’s legendary E Street Band, where she has been a member since 1984.
Touring has become a challenge for me,” Scialfa admitted in the documentary. “This affects my immune system, so I just have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go.”
She added that, while she’s been largely absent from the band’s current world tour, which began in February 2023 and will run until July 2025, she occasionally attends shows and even sings a few songs on stage when she can. “That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that,” she said.
Patti is devoting herself completely to her health
Scialfa’s diagnosis came during Springsteen’s famous “Springsteen on Broadway” residency. Since then, her health has taken precedence, leading her to skip much of the current tour to focus on recovery.
Multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects plasma cells, can cause symptoms such as bone pain, infections, fatigue, and weight loss. Despite her health struggles, Scialfa continues to work on her music, including a solo album.
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