Watch Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa perform 'Tougher Than the Rest' amid her cancer revelation
ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY: Bruce Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa, performed an emotional duet of 'Tougher Than the Rest' at Asbury Park's iconic Sea.Hear.Now Music Festival on Sunday, September 15.
The 71-year-old revealed that she has been suffering from multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, since 2018, in her husband’s new documentary 'Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band', which premiered on September 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival, as per the New York Post.
Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa sway as they sing 'Tougher Than the Rest'
In the documentary, Patti Scialfa, who has been a part of the E Street Band since 1984, said, "Touring has become a challenge for me. This [disease] affects my immune system, so I have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go. 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."
The New Jersey native said she has been absent for most of the band's current tour, which began in February 2023 and ends in July 2025, to focus on her health.
Bruce welcomed her onstage on Sunday saying, "We got my beautiful wife Patti Scialfa with us!" The duo shared a mic and swayed with one another while performing their emotional rendition of 'Tougher Than the Rest', which was released in 2014.
After meeting in the early 1980s, Bruce and Patti tied the knot in 1991 at their Los Angeles home. They share three children, Evan James Springsteen, Jessica Rae Springsteen, and Samuel Ryan Springsteen.
As per the Mayo Clinic, "Multiple myeloma forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies find and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow."
In October 2023, Patti informed the Asbury Park Press that her break from the tour was due to her working on a solo album and spending time with their first grandchild, Lily Harper Springsteen, the daughter of their son Samuel.
She said, "I didn’t feel as needed in a way because there were a lot of musicians on stage. I did the first couple of shows, and as I saw how it was all rolling, I thought, 'This is good. This is completely intact. There’s not much room for me to add anything special.'"
"And the main thing was I have a record that I couldn’t have finished when Bruce was home because he’s in the studio all the time. So I took that opportunity to do my record," added Patti.
Fans pray for Patti Scialfa's speedy recovery after she reveals cancer diagnosis
Fans sent their prayers and positive messages to Patti Scialfa after the couple performed an emotional duet of 'Tougher Than the Rest' at the Sea.Hear.Now musical festival just days after the revelation of her diagnosis diagnosis.
One wrote, "Sorry to hear Scialfa has this dreaded disease. I was diagnosed in 2018 and am now in remission. It’s a rough road to walk down. Good luck to you, Patti."
Another said, "Oh no. Not Patti. So sad. Praying for the Rock legend's wife. Just lost his beloved mom who went to bed recently. Wish Patti well."
"I wish her the best with hope for strength and peace," expressed a person, with one more adding, "Wishing you the best Patti."
"Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear this! I love Patti’s voice and her solo albums are fantastic. I truly hope she has many good years left," wrote an individual. Another person echoed, "Prayers for a speedy recovery."
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