If there's a rock-n-roll heaven...

They just added a hell of a keyboardist to the band.

Danny Federici, the keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, lost his three year battle with melanoma last night, passing away at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He was 58.

His death was announced late last night on the bands website. "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," Springsteen said in the statement.

Indeed - his organ fills defined the E Street sound.

As my heart is breaking right now, I will save the maudlin words and the tears and let his music take over from here...Three of my all-time favorites - which probably tells you quite a bit about me - and if little brother has anything to add, he should feel free.

Hungry Heart



Thunder Road


And my all-time favorite...
Racing in the Streets


(But then, I'm the chick who knows from personal experience that you torque the headbolts on a 351 Cleveland to 110 psi - and at least back then, I had that much strength in my right arm...)

Jeff Healy, March 25, 1966 – March 2, 2008

Blues guitarist Jeff Healy has died of cancer. He battled the disease literally his entire life, and it robbed him of his sight at the tender age of eight months. He started playing guitar as a toddler, laying the instrument across his lap, and he mastered it beautifully, providing millions of people with hours and hours of enjoyment, me among them, and I am very grateful for that.

Everyone and their dog will post Angel Eyes today - so I am going a different direction...



Thanks for the music, Jeff. You're gone, but you left a rich legacy, and it lives on.

Today, the Music Died

Iconic club owner Hilly Kristal of CBGB fame

If you are "of a certain age" then Hilly Kristal influenced your life, whether you realize it or not.
He opened CBGB in 1973, intending to book Country, Blue Grass, and Blues acts (CBGB - get it?) but punk was emerging and Kristal and the new genre found one another and it was a beautiful match. Because of him, we know the Ramones, Blondie, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello, the Runaways, Sonic Youth...They all came up through the club scene and CBGB was the club to play.


After years of drama with the landlord, the legendary club closed on October 15, 2006. Hilly lovingly packed up the bar, piece by piece, intent on reopening the club in Vegas. He never got the chance. He passed away today at his home in Manhattan, following a battle with lung cancer. He was 75 years old.


If you are my age, it is acceptable behavior today to take downers and drink until you pass out. Hell, it is expected. And Hilly, if there is a rock & roll heaven, do look up John Peel, enjoy a pint reminiscing with him, and tell him the 40-somethings say "Thanks" - to both of you.