RIP Mr. Federici

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwBGSS63B2o[/youtube]

It isn’t film related but the E. Street Band’s Danny Federici has just died. He was only 58.

Mr. Federici, who was born in Flemington, N.J., met Mr. Springsteen in the 1960s. By 1969, Mr. Federici — often introduced in concert by Mr. Springsteen as “Phantom Dan” — was playing with Mr. Springsteen in a band called Child. Over the years, Mr. Federici joined his friend in the acclaimed Jersey Shore bands Steel Mill, Dr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom and the Bruce Springsteen Band.

Mr. Federici later became a stalwart in the E Street Band.

“Danny and I worked together for 40 years,” Mr. Springsteen said on Thursday. “He was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure, natural musician. I loved him very much. We grew up together.”

More vids after the cut.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3vUKBOJ5sU[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ettmIk_yFU&feature=related[/youtube]