Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Steven Van Zandt
At the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Steven Van Zandt says no one knows how much pain Bruce Springsteen is in from the recent tour.
Bruce Springsteen’s struggle with peptic ulcer disease surprised fans and colleagues, Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band revealed.
“I have to tell you the truth, we didn’t know how much pain (Bruce Springsteen) was in,” Van Zandt told America’s EntertainThis TODAY! at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday. “We were as surprised as anyone to hear the extent of his illness.”
Springsteen and the E Street Band performed three shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and two at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts earlier this year before postponing their tour until next year as the frontman recovers. “It was a surprise when we found out he was in pain for at least five shows, he’s a tough guy,” Van Zandt said.
The guitarist added that Springsteen may have been inspired by the crowd to go on as long as he did. “The adrenaline, I’m sure it helps, and the enthusiasm of the audience helps. But a lot of people came up to me after those games (saying) it was the best game they’ve ever seen,” Van Zandt said.
Today, Van Zandt said The Boss “everything is fine now” and the team plans to “come back stronger than ever in March.”
In late September, Springsteen postponed the remainder of his 2023 concerts with the E Street Band to receive treatment for a peptic ulcer.
Earlier that month, Springsteen announced that he was postponing all of his September shows under medical advice.
In a post on his Instagram on September 27, the famous rocker shared that although his condition has improved in the past few weeks, doctors say he needs to continue treatment until the end of the year. All postponed dates will be pushed back to 2024 in their original places, the statement said.
Bruce Springsteen postpones 2023 tour to treat peptic ulcer disease
“I thank all my friends and fans for your good wishes, encouragement and support. I’m on the mend and can’t wait to see you next year,” Springsteen said in the post.
Peptic ulcers are usually characterized by severe abdominal pain and are defined as open ulcers that develop within the lining of the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. The most common cause is a bacterial infection that eats away at the protective lining of the digestive system.
Contributors: Melissa Ruggieri, Jennifer McClellan, Ralphie Aversa
Best of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Imports from Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott and Willie
