Danny Federici, Member of the E Street Band

Satch and I were lucky enough to witness the extraordinary performance of Danny Federici playing again with the E Street Band while fighting melanoma. It happened on the night of March 20, 2008, but it still feels like yesterday.

The performance of Sandy included here was magical and, near the end of the song, it felt like the entire fieldhouse was choking back tears of joy. He also played on Spirit in the Night and The Promised Land.

Danny again joined the band for the encore. Kitty's Back - t ripped right out of the box, but then it went higher and higher until it felt like we were witnessing the band jamming together back in 1974. They were playing for each other, in a public concert, in a way that I'd never witnessed any band perform. The music transcended performance and went to a place where the player's histories, hearts and minds connect in a way that is indescribable. (And I've been going to Springsteen shows since 1976.)

Danny passed away less than a month after the performance. Springsteen wrote a beautiful eulogy for Danny.