E Street's Patti Scialfa Opens Up About Recent Battle With Cancer In New Documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Bandwhich premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday night (September 8).
According to VarietyScialfa talks in the film about being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in 2018, which caused her to withdraw from public appearances and performances with her husband Springsteen's E Street Band in recent years.
“It affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go,” he says in the film, which examines the relationship between the 74-year-old rock icon and his longtime colleagues. “Every once in a while, I come to a gig or two and I get to sing a few songs on stage, and that's been a treat. That's the new normal for me right now, and I'm okay with that.”
Scialfa, 71, who has been a member of the E Street Band since 1984 as a backup singer and guitarist – and married Springsteen in 1991 – was not on hand for the film's premiere Sunday night. In addition to being a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Scialfa has also released three solo albums. Fans have noted her absence from the 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 gig or two and I get to sing a few songs on stage, and that's been a treat,” Scialfa says in the film of her occasional recent live performances. “This is the new normal for me right now, and I'm okay with that.” According to Varietythe film does not make clear whether Scialfa is still being treated or whether the cancer was in remission. Springsteen was forced to postpone the 2023 tour after being diagnosed with a peptic ulcer that caused severe vocal problems.
Road Diary is an intimate look at the rock band's current world tour and the unique behind-the-scenes dynamic between the players, some of whom have been at Bruce's side for more than half a century. Given their longevity, and despite the physical demands of playing two-hour concerts, recent health issues and the inexorable march of time, Springsteen made it clear at Sunday's premiere that he intends to keep rocking until the “wheels come off.”
Road Diary will be coming to Hulu and Disney+ on October 25th. Watch the trailer below.
