E Street Band’s Danny Federici Dead At 58

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Danny Federici, keyboardist of the E Street Band passed away Thursday from skin cancer. Bruce Springsteen was invited to sing with the band 40 years ago and the rest is musical history. Federici was one of those who had approached the New Jersey singer.

“Danny and I worked together for 40 years — he was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure natural musician. I loved him very much … we grew up together,” Springsteen said in a statement posted on his Web site.

Born in Flemington, New Jersey Federici met a kindred soul in Springsteen in the 1960s. “Phantom Dan” was playing with the band called Child along with Springsteen. The name of the band changed through the years but the sound was always the same.

During the late 90s Springsteen spilt from the E Streeters but in 1999 they rejoined for a successful tour.

“Bruce has been supportive throughout my life,” Federici said in a recent interview with Backstreets magazine. “I’ve had my ups and downs, and I’ve certainly given him a run for his money, and he’s always been there for me.”

While Federici was the least flamboyant of the band his song styling helped shape them.

In November of 2007 Federici had to take a leave of absence from the band to begin the long battle against the melanoma that took his life.

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