The official statement on Danny

From Backstreets:

DANNY FEDERICI TAKING LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Giordano to fill in as Danny fights melanoma
The moving Magic performance in Boston on Monday night [see review below] was clearly in Danny Federici's honor, though much went unspoken. We now have an official statement, addressing his health as well as the next leg of the Magic tour:

Danny Federici, an original member of the E Street Band, is taking a leave of absence from the current Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tour to pursue treatment for melanoma. Charles Giordano, who played with Bruce as a member of the Sessions Band, will temporarily fill in for Danny until he is able to return. Federici has been playing keyboards with Springsteen since the late Sixties. Said Springsteen, "Danny is one of the pillars of our sound and has played beside me as a great friend for more than 40 years. We all eagerly await his healthy and speedy return."

Federici has been actively supporting the Melanoma Research Foundation and its Wings of Hope Gala, honoring Dr. Paul Chapman.

Our thoughts are with Danny, with prayers and high hopes for successful treatment. Our thoughts are with Charlie, too, as he prepares to step into some big shoes as the Magic tour rolls on. From what we saw on the Sessions tour, if anyone can do it, he can.
-November 21, 2007