Bruce Springsteen‘s longtime E Street Band cohort Danny Federici has died aged 58 in New York yesterday (April 17).
The keyboardist had battled melanoma, a skin cancer, for the past three years.
Springsteen has posted a statement on his website saying: “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”.
Forthcoming Springsteen and the E Street Band concerts in Fort Lauderdale today (April 18) and Orlando tomorrow (April 19) have been postponed.
Federici met Springsteen in the late ’60s and played in several bands with him over the years including Child and The Bruce Springsteen Band.
Federici, an accomplished musician, played the accordion on The Boss’ second album on track “4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” and also played the organ solo on “Hungry Heart”, Springsteen’s first top 10 hit.
As well as working with Springsteen, Federici also played with several other artists, including Joan Armatrading, Graham Parker and Garland Jeffreys.
www.uncut.co.uk will be posting a full obituary in the next hour.