"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."
--Bruce Springsteen

Danny Federici, who spent 40 years as the organist and keyboard player for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, died Thursday afternoon at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City after a three-year battle with melanoma.

Federici left the band's current tour after a show Nov. 19 in Boston. Charlie Giordano, who played with Springsteen during the "Seeger Sessions" tour, replaced him and has been with the group since. Federici rejoined the band for a show March 20 in Indianapolis, his last public appearance.

Federici's family and representatives for the E Street Band request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund. A web site for the Fund is being established.

The E Street Band postponed concerts scheduled for Friday in Ft. Lauderdale and Saturday in Orlando. Replacement dates will be announced soon.

The band is to play at Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration Aug. 30 at the Lakefront.

Read OnMilwaukee.com's 2005 interview with Federici.