Patti Scialfa, the talented guitarist and wife of iconic musician Bruce Springsteen, revealed in a recently premiered documentary that she has been battling multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. In the film “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,” which premiered this Sunday, the 71-year-old shared that she received her diagnosis in 2018.
Scialfa explained the impact of the disease on her health, noting that it has necessitated a reduction in her touring schedule with 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 stated in the documentary.
Despite the challenges posed by her condition, Scialfa mentioned that she occasionally makes special appearances at concerts. “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,” she said. “That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.”
According to a spokesperson for Scialfa, no further details regarding her health condition, including whether she is presently receiving treatment, will be disclosed at this time. It was noted that Scialfa did not attend the premiere of the documentary in Toronto.
Patti Scialfa has been an integral part of the E Street Band since 1984 and has built a remarkable career both as a band member and a solo artist. She married Bruce Springsteen in 1991 and was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
This news comes amidst a period of postponed tour dates for Bruce Springsteen, who has faced his own health challenges over the past two years due to peptic ulcer disease and vocal issues. Springsteen is slated to perform at a music festival in Asbury Park, a town closely tied to his musical legacy, on September 15.
