Confessions of a Fanboy

Wow! We all hoped and prayed for a night like this sooner rather than later and it’s happened. “Phantom” Dan Federici, organist and founding member of the E-Street Band, made his return to the stage Thursday night in Indianapolis, IN. Federici was forced to take time away from the tour after being diagnosed with melanoma (a form of skin cancer). Federici stayed home while the band was in Europe at the end of 2007.

When the band kicked off the 2008 leg of the tour, Bruce mentioned Danny from the stage a few times saying he was doing better and that he might soon re-join the band. With those hopeful words, music lovers everywhere began the joyous countdown waiting for his return.

Now I don’t think I should have to say this but I’m going to just because of the asshole quotient on the internet. It’s clear the most important and best part of Danny’s return is that he’s responding well to his treatment and recovering. The man’s health is far more important than his membership in one of rock’s most beloved groups. That said, he’s spent 40 years of his life making music, music is how most of us know him, and we’re all going to give a collective cheer that not only is he recovering, he’s returned to the stage to do what he loves. That’s awesome.

Dan didn’t play the full show but did play on a number of songs throughout the night; a night that opened with “Night” and saw some great rarities dusted off. Welcome back “Phantom” Dan! Here’s the set:

Night
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
Prove It All Night
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason to Believe
Rendezvous
Because the Night
She’s the One
Livin’ in the Future
The Promised Land
Spirit in the Night
Sandy
Devil’s Arcade
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
Backstreets
Kitty’s Back
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
American Land

Filed under: Bruce Springsteen, Magic Tour Chronicles