Bruce Springsteen makes surprise return to stage at Stand Up For Heroes benefit

NEW YORK (TND) — Bruce Springsteen returned to the stage for the first time since September Monday night, performing a handful of songs at the annual Stand Up For Heroes benefit.

The Boss performed four of his own songs – including "Born in the USA" fan favorites "Dancing in the Dark" and "Working on the Highway" and the live debut of the song "Addicted to Romance" from the film "She Came to Me.' He also performed "Wasted Days" with John Mellencamp.

Springsteen, 74, has been off the road for six weeks since announcing the remainder of his 2023 tour with the E Street Band would be postponed while he seeks treatment for peptic ulcer disease.

While the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is a regular feature of the benefit concert, his appearance at Lincoln Center's Geffen Hall Monday was an unannounced surprise this year due to his condition.

He joked about the condition last month when he hosted his SiriusXM radio show "From My Home To Yours" for the first time in two years, saying he had a "b**** of a bellyache."

E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt told reporters Friday he understands that the Boss is "all good now" and all set to return to touring in March of next year.

Van Zandt also revealed that the band, much like the general public, had no idea of the seriousness of Springsteen's condition.

"I got to tell you the truth, we had no idea how much pain (Bruce Springsteen) was in," Van Zandt saud at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday. "We were just as surprised as everyone else to learn the extent of his illness."

"It was remarkable when we found out that he had been in pain for five shows at least, he is just a tough guy," he added.