Daniel Paul "Danny" Federici, longtime keyboard player for Bruce Springsteen died yesterday following a three month battle with melanoma.
Regular readers know that I'm a huge fan of Springsteen and the E Street Band. Federici was an outstanding keyboard player and was highly respected in the music business. He was equally at home in Jazz, Polka, Classical, Blues and Rock. He played piano (and its various electronic variations), accordian (his first instrument) and glockenspiel.
It was interesting that he was such a self effacing performer in a band filled with big personalities - Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Little Stephen Van Zandt. Even drummer Max Weinberg has a higher profile than Danny. Federici was an original member of the band going back to 1972. His death leaves on Springsteen and Clemons from the very first E Street Band.
The band has postponed two concerts today and tomorrow in Florida. Federici last played with the band on March 20 in Indianapolis after having been on medical leave since November of last year.
Springsteen fans everywhere are in mourning today.
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