Bruce Springsteen fans hope he gets well after peptic ulcer treatment and rest

Bruce Springsteen fans were flying high after three big nights at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford

Then came the news that the rest of the E Street Band shows in September were being postponed as Springsteen, 73, gets treated for symptoms of peptic ulcer disease.

“The one thing we know about Bruce is that he does not want to disappoint and he does not cancel anything easily,” said Audrey Hunn, the administrator of the Calling All Bruce Springsteen Fans! Facebook group.

Peptic ulcer disease is characterized by discontinuation in the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract because of gastric acid secretion or pepsin, according to the National Library of Medicine. Those with it suffer pain after meals in a span 15 minutes to two or three hours after eating.

The prognosis of peptic ulcer disease is “excellent after the underlying cause is successfully treated,” according to the NLM.

“Over here on E Street, we’re heartbroken to have to postpone these shows,” said Springsteen in a statement on social media posted the evening of Sept. 6. “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. 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. Love and God bless all, Bruce.”

The health news came during a tour that's been checkered with show postponements, including concerts March 9 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio; March 12 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut; and March 14 at the MVP Arena in Albany.

Springsteen and the E Street Band postponed shows on Aug. 16 and 18 at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia due to the Boss “having been taken ill,” according to Springsteen's social media handles. The announcement came hours before the Aug. 16 show. Those shows have been rescheduled for Aug. 21 and 23, 2024.

No specific reason for the previous postponements were given, although some members of the band missed shows due to COVID-19, including Steven Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, Jake Clemons and Soozie Tyrell.

“It's more understandable now that he needed to cancel,” said Hunn of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. “Probably in Philly he was in a lot of pain and just couldn't go on.”

Fans, some of whom were complaining about the tour's static setlist, were energized after the MetLife Stadium run, which ended on Sept. 3. The Boss and band performed several rarely played classics, including “Jungleland” and “Detroit Medley,” during the final show.

“There was an upturn after that third MetLife show and shiny happy people again,” Hunn said. “Everybody is concerned, but in a way there's a little bit of relief as they said something about what it is. It certainly sounds like it's something that treatable.”

More: Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band at MetLife: 6 magical moments you might have missed

More: Bruce Springsteen has peptic ulcer disease symptoms, E Street Band postpones 8 shows

There were no shows scheduled in October, and the tour is scheduled to resume Friday, Nov. 3, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

“First, and foremost, the most important thing now is for Bruce to take the time to heal, rest, and regain his health,” said New Jersey photographer Frank Stefanko on social media.

His classic images of Springsteen include the “Darkness on the Edge of Town” and “The River” album covers. “As long as I’ve known him, he has been a relentless workaholic. He needs this time off to regain his health and to literally take care of himself!”

Springsteen and the E Street Band North American Tour

• Aug. 9: Chicago, Wrigley Field

• Aug. 11: Chicago, Wrigley Field

• Aug. 16, Philadelphia, Citizens Bank Park (postponed)

• Aug. 18: Philadelphia, Citizens Bank Park (postponed)

• Aug. 24: Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gillette Stadium

• Aug. 26: Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gillette Stadium

• Aug. 30: East Rutherford, MetLife Stadium

• Sept. 1: East Rutherford, MetLife Stadium

• Sept. 3: East Rutherford, MetLife Stadium

• Sept. 7: Syracuse, New York, MA Wireless Dome (postponed)

• Sept. 9: Baltimore, Oriole Park at Camden Yards (postponed)

• Sept. 12: Pittsburgh, PPG Paints Arena (postponed)

• Sept. 14: Pittsburgh, PPG Paints Arena (postponed)

• Sept. 16: Uncasville, Connecticut, Mohegan Sun Arena (postponed)

• Sept. 19: Albany, New York, MVP Arena (postponed)

• Sept. 21: Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Arena (postponed)

• Sept. 29: Washington, D.C., Nationals Park (postponed)

• Nov. 3: Vancouver, British Columbia, Rogers Arena

• Nov. 6: Edmonton, Alberta, Rogers Place

• Nov. 8: Calgary, Alberta, Scotiabank Saddledome

• Nov. 10: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Life Centre

• Nov 14: Toronto, Scotiabank Arena

• Nov. 16: Toronto, Scotiabank Arena

• Nov. 18: Ottawa, Ontario, Canadian Tire Centre

• Nov. 20: Montreal, Centre Bell

• Nov. 30: Phoenix, Footprint Center

• Dec. 2: San Diego, Pechanga Arena

• Dec. 4: Los Angeles, Kia Forum

• Dec. 6: Los Angeles, Kia Forum

• Dec. 10: San Francisco, Chase Center

• Dec. 12: San Francisco, Chase Center

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen ulcer: Fans send well-wishes after shows canceled