TORONTO — Bruce Springsteen spoke passionately about his wife Patti Scialfa and his legendary band at the premiere of his new documentary “Road Diaries: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band” at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday night.
The film, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at his latest tour, revealed that Scialfa, 71, has been battling multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, since 2018.
On stage after the screening with Stevie Van Zandt, music producer Jon Landau and director Thom Zimny, Springsteen said the unwavering support of Scialfa and the E Street Band is what made it possible for him to become the frontman.
“You're not alone,” said Springsteen, 74. “I can see to my left, Stevie's there. To my right, Nils (Lofgren) is there. When Patty is able to make it, I can see her there.”
Boss added: “I look around and see Jake (Clemons). When I look at Jake, I see Jake, but I also see Clarence (Clemons), Roy (Bitten), Max (Weinberg). So I'm not alone.”
Springsteen spoke poignantly about his experiences performing with his wife, friends and band mates for more than five decades before a packed audience at Roy Thompson Hall.
“You have to understand — we're the only job we have where the people you went to high school with, you're still with them when you're 75,” he said.
“You live your life with them. You watch them grow up, you watch them get married, you watch them get divorced, you watch them go to jail, you watch them get out of jail, you watch them default on payments to their kids, you watch them fail, you watch them grow old, you watch their hair turn gray and you're in the room when they die.”
The E Street Band was formed in 1972, and Springsteen said it's amazing they're still together all these years later.
He said, “Bands break up. It's the natural order of things. The Kinks, The Who. All bands break up.”
“They can't even get two people to get along. Simon hates Garfunkel. Sam hates Dave. The Everly Brothers hated each other. If you can't get two people to get along, what are your chances? They're slim!”
And, although he has vowed to continue touring, The Boss said he would have no regrets if the tour ended tomorrow.
“It doesn't matter if I go tomorrow,” Springsteen said. “What an amazing ride.”
