Patti Scialfa Opens Up About Blood Cancer Battle in Husband Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Road Diary’ Doc
Written by djfrosty on September 9, 2024
E Street bandmember Patti Scialfa reveals her recent cancer battle in the new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday night (Sept. 8).
According to Variety, Scialfa opens up in the film about being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in 2018, which resulted in her dialing back her public appearances and performances with husband Springsteen’s E Street Band over the past few years.
“This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go,” she says in the film that looks at the relationship between the 74-year-old rock icon and his longtime bandmates. “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.”
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Scialfa, 71, who has been a member of the E Street Band since 1984 as a backing vocalist and guitarist — and married Springsteen in 1991 — was not on hand for Sunday night’s movie premiere. In addition to being a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, Scialfa has also released three solo albums. Fans have noted her absence on stage during the E Street Band’s current stadium tour, which is the group’s first major outing since 2016.
“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 says in the movie of her occasional recent live appearances. “That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.” According to Variety, the movie does not make it clear if Scialfa is still be treated or if the cancer was in remission. Springsteen was forced to postpone the tour in 2023 after being diagnosed with a peptic ulcer that caused serious vocal issues.
Road Diary is an intimate look at the rock band’s current world tour and the unique backstage dynamic between the players, a handful of whom have been by Bruce’s side for more than half a century. Given their longevity and despite the physical demands of playing two-hour-plus shows, recent health issues and the inexorable march of time, Springsteen made it clear at Sunday’s premiere that he plans to continue rocking until “the wheels come off.”
Road Diary will come to Hulu and Disney+ on Oct. 25. Watch the trailer below.