"You just don't have that many friends for 60 years. I think the fact that it survived some ups and downs, it says something about our nature," the rocker tells People. "The nature of the importance of friendship in general, which is what attracted me to being in a band rather than a solo show business person."
Van Zandt, who is the subject of the new documentary Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, currently streaming on Max, says fans can see that friendship on display when they take the stage together.
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street kick off a two-night stand in the Netherlands on Thursday. The tour returns to North America on Aug. 15 in Pittsburgh. A complete list of dates can be found at brucepsringsteen.net.