GET WELL SOON, DANNY!

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band have kicked off the European leg of their Magic tour, and, sadly, keyboardist Danny Federici is taking a leave of absence, to receive treatment for Melanoma. Until Danny rejoins the band they're using Charles Giordano, who played with Bruce last year in The (Seeger) Sessions Band.

Back in my days as an interviewer, I had a few occasions to speak with Danny. He was always really cool. A few of them were before Bruce reunited with The E Street Band. Like the rest of the group, he was trying to get a new career going (he was recording solo albums of mainly accordian-based instrumental music)... and of course every interviewer asked about Bruce. Danny was very gracious about it. I was really happy for him when Bruce got the band back together. Anyway, get well soon, Danny, it won't be the same without you.