Happy birthday Danny. You were not a front man or in the first line of stage, you did not have an instrument tipically “cool” for rock’n’roll chicks. But you were Danny Federici, and in the E Street Nation you were fundamental: you played Bruce’s music for 25 years, and you played it as Bruce wanted, when he wanted, sometimes, as Bruce often said, even anticipating the sound  he was searching. You were there for 25 essential years, and we loved you, you have to be sure of that. The last E Street concert was the last you were playing with them, for me. Clarence was the big Man, he was larger than life and beyond, but you were there from the beginning, from that early silly black and white picture with Bruce and Mad Dog, and we won’t forget that. Nor will we forget your sound and your music, with your funny face and your blow-dried hair in the Eightes look, hitting on those keys like there was no tomorrow.

Maybe you were not too fucking big to die, but you were the Phantom, and I think that on stage and in studio a Phantom would surely be useful, even nowadays.

I’m sorry you had to go too early, and I miss you on that stage: but you were there, you still are, and this is all that matters, in life, and in rock’n’roll.

Be at peace, love

Lorenza