Bruce Springsteen’s illness has Philly fans disappointed, but concerned

On Monday afternoon, nearly two full days before Bruce Springsteen’s performance at Citizens Bank Park, Mel Beldi and Ann Bertucci positioned themselves outside the locked gates of the stadium.

As the first two in line, Beldi from Australia and Bertucci from Virginia had taken on a solemn responsibility. They were in charge of the roll call line, a fan-run system at Springsteen shows that determines the entrance order for fans with “pit” tickets. The pit is the standing-room-only area right below the stage where Bruce’s dreams come true, where he tosses harmonicas to children, dances with fans, takes selfies, and signs outstretched arms.

Beldi and Bertucci worked together tirelessly for two days, only taking breaks to sleep, managing the pit ticket holders and assigning them their place in line. It was an organized way to ensure that the most devoted fans could be where they wanted to be without having to sleep on concrete.

But then, just hours before Springsteen’s scheduled performances in South Philly, the earth-shaking news spread through the roll call line: the Philly tour dates were postponed because the Boss was sick.

“We’re devastated, but above all, we’re worried about Bruce,” Bertucci expressed.

The announcement made on Springsteen’s social media accounts was vague, leaving fans unsettled. It simply stated that Springsteen had “taken ill” and that the shows would be rescheduled.

Earlier in the tour, Springsteen had canceled three dates due to an illness that remained undisclosed. In April, he and his wife, Patti Scialfa, had to cancel an appearance at Monmouth University when they were both diagnosed with COVID-19.

But even at 73, Springsteen is known for his lengthy shows and rigorous tour schedules that would exhaust a much younger person. The roll call line was caught completely off guard.

Bertucci stated, “There is so much concern because we know that Bruce does not take this lightly. Something happened that made this show impossible.”

Two hours after the show was called off, dozens of fans remained in the parking lot, sharing their worries about the man many had been devoted to for decades, and whose music deeply resonates with their own lives.

Sharon McGee and Tracy Jones, who grew up together in the 1970s and ’80s, fell in love with the songs that Springsteen sang about breaking free from their neighborhoods and towns.

“It’s like you have to fight your way out — and that’s his whole story. And we did, too,” McGee said, noting that she is now a nurse at Jefferson University Hospital in Broomall.

For Jones, Springsteen’s music holds memories of dancing in the dark with a childhood friend who passed away two years ago.

Some fans were disappointed not only because of the canceled concert but also because they had traveled long distances to see it.

Daniela Cassiago and her boyfriend, Danilo Rosso, traveled all the way from Torino, Italy. They had fallen in love with each other and Springsteen 30 years ago, and his music had always been a constant presence in their lives. It felt strange not to hear it that night.

Paulina Vanderbilt came from the Netherlands. She had researched Philadelphia for her novel about a Springsteen-inspired road trip but had never visited. Although it’s unlikely she can return for any rescheduled concerts, she was determined to make the most of her time in the city, attending Thursday’s Eagles preseason game and retracing Springsteen’s steps from the “Streets of Philadelphia” video.

Leaning against a fence under a tree in the parking lot, Louie Chaump, 58, originally from Driftwood, Texas, shared his plans for the evening with his girlfriend. They had spent the day exploring Philadelphia and now decided to find a rock and roll bar, following in Bruce’s footsteps.

As time passed in the parking lot, only the devoted fans remained, finding solace in each other’s company. They set up chairs, gathered around coolers, and made friends with disappointed fans in neighboring parking spots.

Greg Carroll, from Wildwood, sat alongside a group from Jersey and Florida, toasting the crowd and jokingly declaring that they wouldn’t leave until Bruce took the stage.

Staff writers Bedatri D. Choudhury and Rosa Cartagena contributed to this article.