Danny Federici

[Analogman]

Danny Federici, for 40 years the E Street Band's organist and keyboard player, died this afternoon, April 17, 2008 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City after a three year battle with melanoma.

 

The Federici family and the E Street family request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund. A web site for the Fund is being established and we'll post its link when it is on line.

 

Danny Federici ( born January 23, 1950- died April 17, 2008) was an American musician, most known as the longtime organ, glockenspiel, and accordion player for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

 

Federici started to play accordion when he was seven years old,[1] which he learned from watching The Lawrence Welk Show. When he mastered classical music and polka, his mother booked him at parties, clubs and on radio.[2] While he continued his studies in classical accordion, he gained an interest in jazz and blues, after he heard a professor on NuPower Conservatory of Music in Philadelphia play those styles on accordion.[1]

 

During in-concert band intros, Springsteen often referred to him as "Phantom," sometimes said to be because of an incident in Asbury Park in the 1960s where Federici evaded a police crackdown that resulted in the arrest of numerous others. Federici attended high school at Hunterdon Central High School in New Jersey.[3] When he, along with Vini Lopez started the band Child at the end of the 1960s, their choice for a singer fell on Bruce Springsteen;[2] Federici also joined Springsteen in other early efforts such as Steel Mill.

 

Federici's organ fills are a key component in the E Street sound, and sometimes take on a more prominent role, such as on the hit "Hungry Heart". His use of the electronic glockenspiel is also an easily recognized E Street element; he has since used electronic keyboards to simulate the glockenspiel sound. Another notable performance is his accordion solo on "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)." It was reported in an interview in Backstreets magazine that Federici did not have the best working relationship while playing with pianist David Sancious in the early days of the E Street Band; Sancious would comment on Federici's parts, constantly telling him what to play and what not to play.

 

During the long time the E Street Band was inactive during the 1990s, Federici recorded a solo album of jazz instrumentals called Flemington, after his hometown of Flemington, New Jersey. This was released on the Music Masters Jazz label in 1997; it was later re-worked and re-issued as Danny Federici on Hip-O Records in 2001. Federici followed this up with a smooth jazz album Sweet, self-released on Backstreets.com in 2004; it was re-issued as Out of a Dream on V2 Records in 2005.

 

On November 21, 2007, it was announced that Federici would take a leave of absence from Springsteen and the E Street Band's ongoing Magic Tour to pursue treatment for melanoma, and was temporarily replaced by veteran musician Charles Giordano.[4] Springsteen stated at the time: "Danny is one of the pillars of our sound and has played beside me as a great friend for more than 40 years. We all eagerly await his healthy and speedy return."[4] Federici made his only return to the stage on March 20, 2008, when he appeared for portions of a Springsteen and E Street Band performance at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.[5] Federici passed away on April 17, 2008 in New York after a three-year battle with melanoma.

 

The Phantom

 

Last Show - 4th Of July (Sandy)

[bobbob1313]

RIP

 

Was supposed to see Bruce tomorrow night This is very sad.

[poppydawn]

Terribly sad news, indeed. What a talented person. I'll miss his distinctive sound and can't imagine the E Street Band without that chiming organ.

that made me a Springsteen. Danny made it great.

[LouisvilleGreg]

Wow, I just turned on the computer for the first time in hours to find this tragic news. What a major blow. It always has been amazing that all of the E Street Band lived and thrived for so long. I always thought it would be Clarence first. I'll be listening to the early albums tomorrow for sure.

[So Long]

Wow, I just turned on the computer for the first time in hours to find this tragic news. What a major blow. It always has been amazing that all of the E Street Band lived and thrived for so long. I always thought it would be Clarence first. I'll be listening to the early albums tomorrow for sure.

 

 

I had a similar reaction...completely shocked.

[kidsmoke]

I'm very saddened by this, but so glad that I got to see him in action, all those years ago....UC Santa Barbara's gym, in 1975. RIP, Danny, and thank you for sharing your talent.

[mkush001]

aw man, what a loss. what an amazing musician.

[Twisted Acres]

wow, I really really thought he was gonna make it back... so sad. Rest in peace, Phantom.

[LouieB]

This is very fucked up news......very very sad. Danny was the one constant with the E street band from the beginning and an incredible musician. Very sad.

 

LouieB

[solace]

[remphish1]

 

He was a real trouper playing some shows when he was going through what he was. He is an intergal part of the bands sound. I will miss him! I especially enjoyed the two times I heard him play in Sandy live.

[tongue-tied lightning]

i'm at a loss. Danny played with the band last week. Bruce recently said Danny was doing great.

 

I didn't know he was battling this for 3 years.

not sure how they will go on.

 

Bruce has lost some close friends recently, we'll have to see how this effects him.

Miss ya Danny, from Flemington, NJ where I live, gotta say a prayer on the way home today.

[Sir Stewart]

Thought I'd see the whole E Street Band eventually...now, nope. RIP Danny.

[tongue-tied lightning]

[Sunken mountain]

Rest in peace,Phantom...we miss you in Spain next summer...All our prayers with you

[cryptique]

Damn. I saw him in November with the band. This sucks.

[tongue-tied lightning]

this is from Danny's son about Danny's last performance

 

March 20th, 2008;

 

Danny returns to the stage to rave reviews.

 

Indianapolis, Indiana

 

by Jason Federici

 

While my Dad was going through treatment on March 19th in NY, he was visited by Bruce and later Max, who, through a lot of talking, bribing, and begging (and finally the kicker -- Becky Weinburg, who came from NJ by boat that night) to persuade him to play, he agreed to do the show in Indy. The next thing we knew, we where picked up by a limo from Sloan-Kettering, joined by my dad's wife, Maya, Dr. Chapman and Virgina Murphy and we proceeded down FDR highway to an awaiting helicopter that whisked us away to Newark airport in about 8 minutes (a good time by all, except maybe Dr. Chapman who was gripping the arm rests like a baseball bat). Before we knew it, we were in the jet with the boys. Danny was greeted with a lot of hugs and smiles, to say the least. An hour and a half later, we pulled into Conseco arena. When my father stepped on stage the crowd started chanting "Danny! Danny! Danny!". You could physically feel the "Magic" in the air (excuse the pun). My father proceeded to do what he does best - rock out! He played with such a natural ease. The feeling of the evening was electric. The visible bond between the fellas was so special to watch. Nils spent most of the night next to him, Clarence kept turning around to give him props during the night, and Bruce was so visibly happy to have him there. I couldn't stop smiling all night. After the exciting encore, he left the stage, went straight to the car, then to the plane, and was fast asleep in NY by 2am. It really was like a dream. In the morning, over coffee, we looked at each other and realized the magnitude of the night. It was a great day! My father has always been such an inspiration to me, I can only imagine what an inspiration he is to others.

[JerseyMike]

I met Bruce once, and if Danny was anything close to the guy Bruce was, the world will miss him dearly.

[remphish1]

this is from Danny's son about Danny's last performance

 

March 20th, 2008;

 

Danny returns to the stage to rave reviews.

 

Indianapolis, Indiana

 

by Jason Federici

 

While my Dad was going through treatment on March 19th in NY, he was visited by Bruce and later Max, who, through a lot of talking, bribing, and begging (and finally the kicker -- Becky Weinburg, who came from NJ by boat that night) to persuade him to play, he agreed to do the show in Indy. The next thing we knew, we where picked up by a limo from Sloan-Kettering, joined by my dad's wife, Maya, Dr. Chapman and Virgina Murphy and we proceeded down FDR highway to an awaiting helicopter that whisked us away to Newark airport in about 8 minutes (a good time by all, except maybe Dr. Chapman who was gripping the arm rests like a baseball bat). Before we knew it, we were in the jet with the boys. Danny was greeted with a lot of hugs and smiles, to say the least. An hour and a half later, we pulled into Conseco arena. When my father stepped on stage the crowd started chanting "Danny! Danny! Danny!". You could physically feel the "Magic" in the air (excuse the pun). My father proceeded to do what he does best - rock out! He played with such a natural ease. The feeling of the evening was electric. The visible bond between the fellas was so special to watch. Nils spent most of the night next to him, Clarence kept turning around to give him props during the night, and Bruce was so visibly happy to have him there. I couldn't stop smiling all night. After the exciting encore, he left the stage, went straight to the car, then to the plane, and was fast asleep in NY by 2am. It really was like a dream. In the morning, over coffee, we looked at each other and realized the magnitude of the night. It was a great day! My father has always been such an inspiration to me, I can only imagine what an inspiration he is to others.

 

That's a nice story...thanks for sharing.

[Gobias Industries]

RIP buddy, you are the man.

[LouieB]

I met Bruce once, and if Danny was anything close to the guy Bruce was, the world will miss him dearly.

In the obit today it said that actually Danny asked Bruce to join his band when he had one with origial E Street drummer Vinnie Lopez. They were bandmates a long long time....(and as always the guy was about my age....)

 

edit...I just noticed the subheading for this thread....turns out Danny was just a mere 4 months older than I am....

 

LouieB

[LouisvilleGreg]

I just found this on backstreets.com, a popular Springsteen magazine and website:

 

The Federici family and the E Street family have requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund -- The fund's website is now up and running, where it is described as "dedicated to the research and development of new and effective treatments for melanoma through funding for additional clinical trials based upon Danny's melanoma treatments and other methods headed by Dr. Paul Chapman [at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center]. Our other objective is to raise awareness for this aggressive disease."

 

You'll find a statement from Danny there, too:

 

 

[tongue-tied lightning]

tough night for Bruce

 

http://www.backstreets.com/news.html

[Analogman]

tough night for Bruce

 

http://www.backstreets.com/news.html

 

 

Racing in the Street - that is a very heavy song - one of my favorites. Thanks for posting.

[tongue-tied lightning]

from last night's show

 

In the encore, perhaps the biggest treat of the night, "the incredible Roger McGuinn" joined the band for two songs. Bruce set the bar high with his introduction, praising the Byrds leader for singlehandedly inventing Folk Rock, Space Rock, and for his profound influence on Bruce and the band. At 15, Springsteen said, on a little stero in his room, "I played that first Byrds album over 200 times in the dark." McGuinn did not disappoint, taking lead for "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and trading verses with Bruce on "Mr. Tambourine Man," a knock-out guest spot that was clearly a thrill for the band. Just one look would have told you Steve was in heaven, he and Roger playing matching black, 12-string Rickenbackers. "Some of the most beautiful music ever written and sung," Bruce declared, before offering up one of his own that could arguably fit that description. It was "Jungleland," an audible, played by request -- "Kitty's Back" was on the setlist, but with all those "Jungleland" signs, how could he not?