Bruce Springsteen is speaking out after relaunching his tour with the E Street Band following a six-month break to deal with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease.
“The Boss” revealed that during the worst stages of his condition, he wasn’t able to sing at all.
Calling into Sirius XM’s E Street Radio on March 21, Springsteen said, “You sing with your diaphragm. You know, my diaphragm was hurting so badly that when I went to make the effort to sing, it was killing me, so I literally couldn’t sing at all, you know? And that lasted for two, three months, along with just a myriad of other painful problems.”
Bruce Springsteen performs at Footprint Center on March 19, 2024 in Phoenix, Ariz.
John Medina/Getty Images
“It took a while for the doctors to say, ‘Oh, no, you’re gonna be OK,'” he said. “At first, nobody was quite saying that, which made me nervous, y’know?”
Now that Springsteen is back in good shape, he said he and the band consider their return to the stage a “whole new tour.”
“There’ll be a much wider song selection going on,” he said. “Some of the second half of the set is built so solid, so a lot of it’ll stay. The opening … I’m not sure what’s going to happen up top, but it’ll shift around. I’m waiting to see myself where the show is going to take me.”
“But … for us, it’s a new tour, a new day, and we’re approaching everything like that,” he continued. “We’re looking forward to having a lot of fun.”
The band currently has dates scheduled through November.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, “a peptic ulcer, or stomach or duodenal ulcer, is a sore on the lining of your stomach or duodenum.”
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Acid from the stomach can cause sores or other types of injury or damage to the esophagus, stomach or small intestine.
“The most common causes of peptic ulcers are Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen],” the NIDDK states, adding the “common symptoms of peptic ulcers include pain or discomfort in your abdomen, feeling full too soon during or too full after a meal, nausea, bloating, and belching.”
Doctors may recommend proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers or other medicines to treat the condition and help ulcers heal.
“If your peptic ulcers aren’t caused by H. pylori infection or NSAIDs, doctors will check for uncommon causes,” the agency states. “Depending on the cause, doctors may recommend additional treatments.”
Bruce Springsteen, also known as “The Boss,” is one of the most iconic and influential musicians of our time. With his powerful voice and energetic performances, Springsteen has captivated audiences around the world for decades. However, in a recent interview, the legendary singer-songwriter opened up about a health issue that almost derailed his career – peptic ulcer disease.
Peptic ulcer disease is a condition that affects the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. It is typically caused by a bacterial infection or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. In severe cases, peptic ulcers can cause internal bleeding and perforation of the stomach lining.
For Springsteen, the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease began to manifest in the late 1980s, during his “Tunnel of Love Express” tour. The constant stress and strain of performing night after night took a toll on his body, and he started experiencing intense stomach pain and acid reflux. At first, he tried to push through the pain and continue performing, but eventually, it became too much to bear.
“I remember one night in particular, I was on stage and I could barely sing a note. The pain was excruciating,” recalled Springsteen in the interview. “I knew something was seriously wrong, and I had to seek medical help.”
After consulting with doctors, Springsteen was diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease. He was advised to take a break from touring and focus on his health. The news came as a shock to the rock star, who had always prided himself on his physical endurance and stamina.
“It was a wake-up call for me,” said Springsteen. “I realized that I needed to take better care of myself if I wanted to continue doing what I love.”
Springsteen underwent treatment for his peptic ulcers, which included medication to reduce stomach acid production and lifestyle changes such as avoiding spicy foods and alcohol. He also worked with a vocal coach to learn techniques for singing without straining his vocal cords.
After several months of rest and recuperation, Springsteen was able to return to the stage and resume his music career. However, he made a conscious effort to pace himself and prioritize his health over his work.
“I learned the hard way that you can’t take your health for granted,” said Springsteen. “I had to make some changes in my lifestyle and my approach to performing. But in the end, it made me a better singer and a better person.”
Springsteen’s experience with peptic ulcer disease serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars are not immune to health problems. It also highlights the importance of listening to your body and seeking help when something doesn’t feel right.
As fans eagerly await his next tour or album, they can rest assured that Bruce Springsteen is taking care of himself and doing everything he can to ensure that his voice will continue to resonate for years to come.
