In a powerful and emotional revelation, Patti Scialfa has disclosed her diagnosis of multiple myeloma in the newly premiered documentary, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. The film, which made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, showcases not only the journey of the E Street Band but also the challenges faced by Scialfa, who has battled the blood cancer for the past six years.
Scialfa, 71, who married Bruce Springsteen in 1991, shared that she was diagnosed while Springsteen was performing his acclaimed Springsteen on Broadway show back in 2018. Her health condition has restricted her from touring with the E Street Band, a group she has been a part of since 1984. "Because my treatment has weakened my immune system, I will no longer tour with the E Street Band," Scialfa stated in the film.
Despite her diagnosis, Scialfa remains optimistic, reflecting on her altered normal: "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. That's the new normal for me right now, and I'm OK with that." She previously took significant time off from performing between 1993 and 2004 to focus on raising her three children.
Alongside her work with the E Street Band, Scialfa has released three solo albums, including Rumble Doll and 23rd Street Lullaby. The anticipated documentary, Road Diary, will be available for streaming on Hulu starting October 25, 2024. For more details on Scialfa and her journey, visit Spin's full article.