By Mark Gray
1:30pm PST, Nov 7, 2023
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Bruce Springsteen and a pal are providing an update on his health issues. In September, Bruce and the E Street Band released a statement announcing that the rock icon "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." The statement added that all scheduled 2023 shows were being pushed to 2024 "out of an abundance of caution."
"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," The Boss — who turned 74 in September — said.
The postponement news came as his inner circle had been imploring him to slow down. But now things are looking up…
Keep reading to learn more about the singer's health…
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Nearly two months after Bruce Springsteen's health forced him to postpone his tour, the rocker's pal and bandmate Steven Van Zandt is painting a hopeful picture. The "Born in the U.S.A." signer is in "great shape," Little Steven told People magazine in an interview that debuted online on Nov. 6.
"We're gonna come back stronger than ever in March," the E Street Band guitarist said. "It was a very, very intense first six months of the tour — maybe our most intense ever. And so we're gonna come back with that same intensity, and it's gonna be great."
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In October, Bruce Springsteen also dished on his health and thanked fans for their patience on his SiriusXM E Street Radio show, "From My Home to Yours." After introducing himself as "your favorite rock star with a b**** of a bellyache," Bruce said peptic ulcer disease has been a "monster" to deal with.
"Let me take a moment and thank my fans affected by our postponed shows for their understanding," he said. "I am deeply sorry but this belly thing, despite my ability to laugh at it, has been a monster and is still unfortunately rocking my internal world."
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Bruce Springsteen's family had been worried that his health could take a nosedive if he didn't take a break from touring to relax.
Prior to the Sept. 27 postponement announcement, the 74-year-old rock icon had already pushed back a string of shows in the United States to treat symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. Reports said his his inner circle, including wife Patti Scialfa, were imploring him to get healthy before returning to the stage.
"Bruce has had a rough couple of years," an insider told DailyMail.com in early September. "He's had COVID several times and even had to pull the plug on shows in August due to getting the latest strain. This was just a couple of weeks ago and it really takes a toll on someone of his age."
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This wasn't the first time Bruce Springsteen has had a health-related setback. Back in 2013, he underwent throat surgery. In that instance, doctors cut open his vocal chords to repair damaged discs in his neck. A source told DailyMail.com that Bruce "hasn't been the same" since that surgery.
"It has really had an impact on his overall well-being," the source added. "Everyone wants him to just focus on his health and not push himself."
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A second DailyMail.com insider was quick to note that it's not all doom and gloom for Bruce Springsteen.
"Bruce isn't dying which is the best-case scenario, he isn't hiding from any other lingering problems, the ulcers that he has are just kicking his a** and making it very uncomfortable to perform the way that he and his fans expect," the second source said. "Bruce is in amazing shape and with this setback, it just sucks because once Bruce is in tour, he fully encompasses himself with it."
"It is who he is, so this bump in the road frustrates the hell out of him, but his stubborn nature was nurtured by his band mates and wife who convinced him to get healthy now so something worse doesn't happen down the line," the source added.
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The family-appreciated tour hiatus that Bruce Springsteen is on will be worth it in the long run. A source told DailyMail.com, "He has to listen to his doctors over his demanding work ethic he puts himself through and he is actually doing it and will give the rest of his shows 120 percent."
Bruce, they added, will be "back before you know it" after having a "few stress-free weeks and rest."
