E Street key guy Danny Federici dies
Posted on April 18th, 2008 – 8:59 AMBy Chris Riemenschneider
Fans who missed his shadowy but never quiet presence at last month’s Xcel Center show know that E Street Band member Danny Federici has been ailing from melanoma. The Springsteen website announced last night that Federici, 58, died yesterday. There’s a video up at http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html which shows Federici playing “Sandy” with the band (for the last time?) last month in Indianapolis. Click here for the Billboard obit.
Federici is actually the one member of the E Street Band I’ve met in person, about eight years ago when he was producing a record for Texas rocker (and sometime Mpls. resident) Mary Cutrufello. He was unpretentious and seemed right at home as he and I watched Mary rock some blue-collar bar in Houston. Anyone else with memories of the guy, leave them here.
15 Responses to "E Street key guy Danny Federici dies"
Never met Danny in person, but like most Springsteen fans, I felt like I knew him through his music and live performances. Always a highlight when he pulled out the accordian to do “Sandy” in concert. My condolences to his family, and his musical family.
That sucks.
Maybe Bruce can have a statue erected and placed on Mt. Obama.
Sorry about the news. But please get your spelling right: it’s melanoma
Billy Bob — Nice job making an inappropriate political comment on a man’s death. I hope you enjoy your day, because I’m sure Danny Federici’s family won’t.
Hey Billy Bob, you seem smart… What a truly sad day. Had a feeling it wasn’t going well as there was very little news regarding Danny’s condition….
Billy Bob go to hell!
Danny was a good man in a great band, with an amazing lead singer. The music world lost a very solid citizen, and as a fan of Springsteen’s for the last 25 years my heart goes out to his friends, his family, the band, and all the MILLIONS of fans. I was able to see him with Springsteen 4 times, and I feel honored for the experiences.
Hey, leave Billy Bob alone…you would be a little jaded too if all you got to listen to is your Toby Keith records.
We saw the Boss in concert last month…Bruce said that Danny was back home fighting his illness…you know they will miss their friend. Prayers go out to his family.
One of the highlights at the Springsteen concert in Miller Park a few years ago was Danny playing “Roll Out the Barrel” on his accordion.
Opps, it was “The Beer Barrel Polka.”
We all start out as teenagers in a ‘garage band’. Just 4 or 5 guys playing some God awful music trying to get the beat and what pases for a melody down so someone will pay us $50 or $100 dollars on a Saturday night. That’s were Danny started and he and Springsteen MADE it. They were the few that were a success out of the thousands and thousands of guys that tried. I’m sure all his friends and family and fans will miss him and he’ll be hard to replace.
Paul,
Couldn’t care less about this ass clown.
BC,
Probably will, but people die everyday. Toughen up. You SAW him 4 times? Wow! You must have been close.
James,
You’re right.
Dan,
Toby Keith is a dildo.
Have a good day you collective group of losers.
Way to raise the level of discourse, Billy Bob.
If you couldn’t care less about this “ass clown,” then why are you taking the time to take cheap shots at his death? Why not just pass on commenting and move onto a story you do care about?
I’m not sure why any of you are even dignifying Billy Bob with a response.
RIP Danny Federici
Billy Bob,
Your mother must be so proud.
The last story that had any meaning to him was “Pat the Bunny”, and even then he needed the Cliff’s Notes.
RIP Danny…raising a glass to the flavor of the E St. Band…we missed you in March and even more so now.
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