Bruce Springsteen Reflects on How Patti Scialfa Motivated His Music Career

In an exclusive segment from his ABC News special, Bruce Springsteen shares the impact of his wife, Patti Scialfa, on his music career. This conversation happens during the "Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and Backstreets" special.

Early Years and Transformation

Springsteen discusses his marriage to Scialfa, whom he married in 1991. Early in their relationship, he felt directionless, aligning with his father's expectations. He admits, "I was a lazy musician, sleeping ’til 11 o’clock." Springsteen recalls how their growing family prompted Scialfa’s intervention. She motivated him to seize the moment for his children.

One night, she said to him, "You don’t have to get up, but if you don’t, you’re going to miss it all. Just get up and make the pancakes tomorrow."

This simple yet powerful encouragement led to a significant shift. The following morning at "6:30 a.m.," he got up grumpy but committed. "I’m up, cursing, grumpy, bopping down the steps [and] made pancakes," he remembers.

Continued Success and Family Life

After their first meeting at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, Scialfa joined the E Street Band as a backing vocalist in 1984. The couple eventually married and welcomed three children: son Evan James, daughter Jessica Rae, and son Samuel Ryan.

Produced by George Stephanopoulos Productions and ABC News Studios, the special is part of Springsteen's promotional activities during his latest tour with the E Street Band. It's a closer look at the man behind the music.

"As a journalist, it's a privilege to have rare access to Bruce Springsteen," Stephanopoulos stated. His gratitude for their conversations is evident. "His music has inspired so many, and intimate discussions reveal the man behind the legend."

This highly anticipated special airs on October 20 on ABC. It will be available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ starting the next day. Following this, a documentary titled *Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band* will premiere on October 25 on both platforms.

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