It’s never easy to learn about the death of anybody. Yesterday, we lost Danny Federici, the long time keyboardist that played for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Danny took a leave from the band back in November, when it was learned that he was suffering from cancer. He had been fighting melanoma for three years. There wasn’t much word on his condition, but fans were hopeful when he made a surprise appearance at the Canseco Field house in Indianapolis on March 20th. He looked a little lean and sported a hat, but otherwise looked good. He got a big ovation from the crowd, who were thrilled to see the long time band member. Even Bruce and the band stood back and clapped for Federici, as he graced his familiar spot at the keyboards. After the last song, Sandy, which Federici played the accordion, Bruce and the Band gathered around the keyboard player and shared the stage with him for the last time. It seems as if maybe they knew something we didn’t. It was the last time that Federici would hear the cheers of the E-Street faithful and share the stage with his life long band mates and friends. Less than a month later, he is gone. We can look back and reflect on his contributions as a musician and as a friend. He was the band member that was with Springsteen the longest. Matter of fact it was Danny and drummer Vinnie Mad Dog Lopez who first asked Springsteen to join their band. Soon, it was Springsteen’s band. Federici didn’t look back and continued to contribute his many talents to Springsteen and his music. He never took center stage and was more of a mystery, as he seemed to just slowly disappear. Springsteen calling him Phantom Dan during band introductions. When he was there you knew it, when he wasn’t, well, he wasn’t. He was also the most unsung member to boot. I believe when Bruce broke up the band after the Tunnel of Love tour, Danny took it the hardest. He had been there through the bad times and good. He rode the roller coaster as Springsteen exploded on the scene, he was there when Springsteen’s career went on hold as he freed himself from his contract with then manager and agent Mike Appel. He rode the wave of Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, The River, Born in the USA and Tunnel of Love. He stood by the boss and was always the first to respond when asked to perform or record with Springsteen. The most telling and poignant peek into the relationship between Springsteen and the band, is the video Blood Brothers, where Springsteen allowed cameras in the studio. The cameras, chronicled every facet of Springsteen and the band getting back together to record four songs for his greatest hits album, as well as a live performance video. It was insider’s look at how the band worked and recorded. For the band, it was just a taste of things to come. After the Release of Tracks in 1999, Springsteen launched a full blown world wide reunion tour bringing The E Streeters back to center stage. All was forgotten and the band seemed to be playing better than ever. The Rising came out in 2002, again supported by a tour, the the month long Vote for Change tour in 2004. After two solo efforts by Springsteen he brought the boys back for what he called the most important tour of them all. With Saxophonist Clarence Clemons sporting two knee replacements, the 3 hour marathon shows are becoming tougher and tougher for him to perform. The future availability of Drummer Max Weinberg is up in the air, due to his commitment to Conan O’Brien, who will be replacing The Tonight Show, host Jay Leno. And now, of course the illness of Ferderici. I guess this tour was Springsteen letting us know, that this may be, the band as we have known them for over 30 years, last hurrah. We know that even with the passing of Federici, the music will live on, the band will still perform and thrill the devoted fan base. As the band plays there will always be the shadow of the fallen keyboardist when ever we hear the B-3 or accordion. We will always be seeing and hearing Dan Federici. Danny, May god rest your soul. Click on the link below to see a video of Sandy. The last performance of the Great Danny Federici.
http://youtube.com/?v=LC_LW2NHqEo
