Charlie GiordanoOrgan • Keyboards • Accordion
Asked to contribute a song to a Pete Seeger tribute album, Bruce Springsteen turned to a group of New York-based musicians who had played at a series of parties held at his house. The band’s regular piano player was unable to make it, so they turned to their friend Charlie Giordano. That chance gig would eventually lead to Giordano filling the E Street Band spot made vacant by Danny Federici’s illness and death.
Having recorded at that first “Seeger Session” of Springsteen’s in 1997, Giordano was brought back for the We Shall Overcome album and toured with the Sessions Band in 2006. When Federici’s illness in 2007 prevented him from performing on the European leg of the Magic Tour, it was announced that Giordano would join the tour playing keyboards and Federici’s accordion parts. After Federici’s passing, no formal announcement was made; Giordano has simply continued to hold down the spot in the band through the Working on a Dream, Wrecking Ball, High Hopes and The River tours, and contributing to the albums The Promise, Wrecking Ball, High Hopes, Western Stars, and Letter to You.
Giordano’s skills were notably put to good use on the “Stump the Band” section of the show during the Working on a Dream Tour, when his abilities were a big part of the band nailing songs they had never played before, including “Burning Love,” “Green Onions” and “Good Lovin.’” His personality also shined on stage when he and Lofgren humorously trade off playing each other’s instruments during performances of the song “American Land.”
Giordano had a long resume prior to his work with Springsteen. He toured with Hall & Oates and Joe Cocker, and in the 1980s he was a member of Pat Benatar’s regular backing band, playing on five of her albums. He also appeared on several of Cyndi Lauper’s albums, and has worked with such artists as Rosanne Cash, Marshall Crenshaw, Rita Wilson, and The Smithereens.
Giordano’s skills were notably put to good use on the “Stump the Band” section of the show during the Working on a Dream Tour, when his abilities were a big part of the band nailing songs they had never played before, including “Burning Love,” “Green Onions” and “Good Lovin.’” His personality also shined on stage when he and Lofgren humorously trade off playing each other’s instruments during performances of the song “American Land.”
Giordano had a long resume prior to his work with Springsteen. He toured with Hall & Oates and Joe Cocker, and in the 1980s he was a member of Pat Benatar’s regular backing band, playing on five of her albums. He also appeared on several of Cyndi Lauper’s albums, and has worked with such artists as Rosanne Cash, Marshall Crenshaw, Rita Wilson, and The Smithereens.