Bruce Spingsteen's E Street Band lost a member of their family on Thursday when keyboardist Danny Federici passed away at the age of 58 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Federici, who left the current Springsteen tour last November following an emotional farewell show in Boston, succumbed to a 3-year battle with melanoma.

"Danny and I worked together for 40 years," a statement by Springsteen read, "He was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure natural musician. I loved him very much ... we grew up together."

In a large ensemble that featured such stalwart musicians and recognizable performers as saxophonist Clarence "Big Man" Clemons, guitarist "Little" Steven Van Zandt and drummer "Mighty" Max Weinberg, Federici was an unsung hero of the band. But the "Phantom"'s organ work was instrumental in Springsteen's first Top 10 hit, 'Hungry Heart,' among many other tracks, including live favorites 'Fourth of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)' and 'Kitty's Back.'

During his recent California stint, Springsteen mentioned Federici every show, sending along messages of good tidings to the keyboardist. Springsteen shows in Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, have been postponed. The tour is scheduled to resume Monday in Tampa. In lieu of flowers, both the E Street Band and Federici's surviving family are requesting donations be made to the Danny Federici Memorial Fund. Bruce Springsteen.net reports that a site is being established for the fund and a link will be posted as soon as it's available.