Patricia Scialfa was born on July 29, 1953 in Deal (New Jersey/ USA). Patti's mother is Irish and as Scialfa is an Italian name, her father has, most likely, some Italian roots.

At the age of 18, Patti began to sing and play in bands around the Jersey Shore music scene. In the early 1980's she was even a brief member (backup singer) of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

Patti first auditioned for The E-Street Band when she was just seventeen, but Bruce told her to stay in school and finish before taking on another job. She finished highschool, but stayed in touch with the Jersey Shore music. In 1984 Bruce asked her for an audition for a spot in the 1984 E-Street Band line up who were to embark on a worldwide tour. One night, he invited her to play an acoustic set with him and Nils Lofgren. Afterwards he asked her to meet the band at the soundstage near Philadelphia, where they were rehearsing for the BITUSA tour. After only three days Bruce sent Patti back home. However, the very same night Bruce phoned her and asked if she liked to meet him in St. Paul.
Patti joined the E-Street Band on June 29 1984 (as the first woman) just a mere 3 days before the start of the "Born in the USA" tour. She started as a backup singer but later also started playing the guitar.