Music
13 Feb 23

Bruce Spingsteen continues performance after several E Street Band members catch COVID

Down three members, the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's show went on in Dallas, Texas on Friday.

Bruce Springsteen is touring through the States right now on the Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band 2023 tour...only, at his most recent performance in Dallas Texas, there was almost no E Street Band to speak of.

It's the 73-year-old singer and the E Street Band's first tour in six years since their Springsteen on Broadway tour from 2017. The wait has been long for this tour, so hopefully fans aren't disappointed by the massive 28-long setlist.

The tour started on February 1st in Tampa, Florida. Oddly enough, though, three of the E Street crew were absent from last Friday's stage.

“We got a few members missing tonight: Stevie Van Zandt, COVID; Soozie Tyrell, COVID; Patti Scialfa…" Springsteen told fans at the February 10th performance.

"But goddammit, we’re gonna give Dallas the best show they’ve ever seen."

Stevie Van Zandt is the group's guitarist. Soozie Tyrel is a singer and the band's resident violinist.

Patti Scialfa, Springsteen's wife and E Street band member, was also absent from the stage, although it wasn't mentioned what she was absent for. She's missed two other shows in the tour so far, in Atlanta and Orlando.

Van Zandt confirmed the COVID diagnosis over Twitter.

Sorry folks. Covid. https://t.co/QFV8cF8emy

— 🕉🇺🇦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) February 11, 2023

Van Zandt credits the vaccine with the mild symptoms, responding to a fan's inquiry about whether he was "vaxxed" or not.

"Totally. And boosted. That's why it's a mild case. No real danger or damage."

Totally. And boosted. That’s why it’s a mild case. No real danger or damage. https://t.co/3zcY6EgMgL

— 🕉🇺🇦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) February 11, 2023

Even as you rock on, alone or in a group, it's important to be safe.

Bruce and the E Street Band expect the COVID-striken members' return to the tour soon, "Austin at the latest." Van Zandt is hopeful, however, that he'll recover in time for their Valentine's Day show in Houston.