Bruce Springsteen performs at Footprint Center on March 19, 2024 in Phoenix.Photo:John Medina/Getty
John Medina/Getty
“The Boss” is back on stage.
On Tuesday night,Bruce Springsteenresumed his tour after postponing several of his 2023 dates due topeptic ulcer disease.
According to theAssociated Press, the “Born to Run” singer, 74, appeared in good spirits as he performed alongside the E Street Band — sans wife wifePatti Scialfa— at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Sporting dark jeans and a red flannel shirt, Springsteen was greeted with audience cheers of “Bruuuuce!” ahead of his performance, per the outlet.
Bruce Springsteen performs at Footprint Center on March 19, 2024 in Phoenix.John Medina/Getty
“Phoenix, first I want to apologize if there was any discomfort because we had to move the show last time. . . . I hope we didn’t inconvenience you too much,” he told the crowd, according to the outlet.
In May 2022, Springsteeninitially announcedhe’d be heading out on tour in February 2023 for his and the band’s first international run since 2017, and their first US tour dates since 2016. However, his road back to the stage was rockier than expected.
Just a month after the tour began, Springsteenpostponed three showsin a week “due to illness,” according to a statement shared on the musician’s Twitter page.
That April, the rock icon and Scialfa, 70, both tested positive forCOVIDat the end of the first leg of his tour andhis first hometown showin their native New Jersey in seven years.
By August, Springsteen had topostpone two of his Philadelphia showsdue to having “taken ill."
Jake Clemons and Bruce Springsteen perform at Footprint Center on March 19, 2024 in Phoenix.John Medina/Getty
It was revealed in early September through a statement shared on the singer’s social media accounts that he was"being treated for symptoms of peptic ulcer disease."
The announcement advised that due to Springsteen’s medical treatment and the “decision of his medical advisors,” the remainder of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s September showswere postponed.
The message also included a personal note from “The Rising” performer, who reassured fans that the band will “be back soon” with new tour dates.
“Over here on E Street, we’re heartbroken to have to postpone these shows. First, apologies to our fabulous Philly fans who we missed a few weeks ago. We’ll be back to pick these shows up and then some," it read.
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Bruce Sprinsteen and John Mellencamp at the 17th annual Stand Up for Heroes Benefit in November 2023 in New York City.Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
The message continued: “Thank you for your understanding and support. We’ve been having a blast at our US shows and we’re looking forward to more great times. We’ll be back soon.”
Later in the month, the remainder of dates for Springsteen’s 2023 showswere canceled, and a statement was posted to hissocial mediaexplaining he was recovering from peptic ulcer disease: “Bruce Springsteen has continued to recover steadily from peptic ulcer disease over the past few weeks and will continue treatment through the rest of the year on doctor’s advice. With this in mind, and out of an abundance of caution, all remaining 2023 tour dates for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will be postponed until 2024.”
The 20-time Grammy winner shared a note of gratitude for his fans, too: “Thanks to all my friends and fans for your good wishes, encouragement, and support. I’m on the mend and can’t wait to see you all next year.”
Ahead of resuming his tour, Springsteen made a surprise appearance duringJohn Mellencamp’s concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey earlier this month where hejoined the singer onstage for a special duetof “Pink Houses.”
source: people.com
