Steven Van Zandt says staying apart from his wife for a total of 10 years is the secret to their happy 42-year marriage

He told People: "As I often say, the key to staying together is stay apart. We've been together, God, what is it now, 40-plus years and probably have spent about 10 years of that together out of the 40, because I'm always on the road.

"So, you go home, and it's always new again."

Steven - who recently released his HBO documentary 'Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple', added while he was away Maureen kept busy with her projects.

He said: "I think there is something to keeping one's own identity. She's a very, very strong person.

"She has a theatre company. She's the real actor in the family. She's the real thing.

"Aside from her literary knowledge, she teaches acting to American Ballet Theater. She was a ballet dancer.

"I think finding a way to keep one's identity and making sure that one plus one equals three rather than one plus one equals one-and-a-half, which you see all the time in relationships where people just start to lose their identity and compromise it in order to get along."

Steven added despite his and Maureen's strong personalities, they have made their marriage work by putting in place "some boundaries" and "allowing the other one to have their very strong identity".

When Steven landed his role as Tony Soprano's right-hand man Silvio Dante on HBO's hit mafia drama 'The Sopranos', Maureen also got onboard by portraying his partner Gabriella Dante.

The rocker said getting his part on the landmark series was part of him being brought back from the showbusiness "wilderness".

He added about how the role was a "rebirth" for his career and life: "That was a gift from ('The Sopranos' creator) David Chase.

"He handed me a new craft, right on time."

After taking the part, he also rejoined the E Street Band after years away from the group, with his acting career continuing with his lead role as a former gangster in the comedy-drama TV show 'Lilyhammer'.