Dino Danelli, drummer for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Rascals, dies at the age of 78
Dino Danelli, the drummer for the 1960s hitmakers and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Rascals, died Thursday, December 15, in New York City at the age of 78.
The announcement confirming his passing was first made on the band’s official Facebook page and was followed by a statement from the band’s former guitarist, Gene Cornish.
Danelli, a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, who kept the beat behind the drums for all nine of the band’s albums, had been called “one of the great underappreciated rock drummers ever.”
Heartbreaking: The Rascals’ official Facebook page confirmed that drummer Dino Danelli passed away in New York City on Thursday, December 15 at the age of 78.
‘Our beloved Dino passed away today. I will say more in the near future about his incredible talent and I will share the experiences of his life that he passed on to me, as well as the ones we went through as friends and collaborators,’ he began in The Rascals Facebook page.
I hope you all continue to appreciate her talent and send her love. Thank you for supporting his various endeavors throughout his career. All of you made it possible for him to live his dream, which was to be a musician and an artist.’
The post ended with ‘Blessings to all of you’ and was attributed to Joe Russo, who is listed as the spokesperson for Dino Danelli.
About an hour after the band’s official announcement, Cornish, 78, took her Facebook page to share a tribute, writing: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the passing of Dino Danelli. He was my brother and the greatest drummer I have ever seen. I am devastated right now.
He ended with a message to his friend and former colleague: ‘Rest in peace Dino, I love you brother. ‘
Love message: The Rascals’ official Facebook page asked fans to ‘continue to appreciate his talent and send him your love’
Tribute: Former Rascals guitarist Gene Cornish called Danelli “the best drummer I’ve ever seen” and “my brother.”
Danelli played with a variety of musicians before connecting with Cornish, Felix Cavaliere, and Eddie Brigati to form The Young Rascals in Garfield, New Jersey in 1965.
They would go on to release their first three studio albums in 1967 as The Young Rascals. But for legal reasons, the band would shorten the name to The Rascals for their fourth album, Once Upon A Dream (1968), which lasted until they broke up after their ninth studio album, The Island Of Real (1972).
Cornish and Brigati ended up leaving the band after the release of their seventh LP, Search and Nearness (1971), but Danelli and Cavaliere stayed on for the entire run of The Rascals.
His long list of hits includes I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore, Good Lovin’, Groovin’, People Got To Be Free, How Can I Be Sure, A Beautiful Morning, A Girl Like You, A Ray Of Hope. , Look, Call me and Gloria Gloria.
Brief but sweet: Initially known as The Young Rascals, the band would release seven albums with the original lineup of Cavaliere, Cornish, Brigati and Danelli, and two more with just Cavaliere and Danelli between 1966 and 1972.
The group’s original lineup reunited in 2012 for their first public performances in over 40 years with The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, a combination concert and stage event that was produced and directed by Bruce’s E Street guitarist. Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, and Maureen Van Zant. .
Little Steven, as he is known, inducted The Rascals into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on May 6, 1997, and presented them with their awards.
The four original members appeared together to perform Good Lovin’, Groovin’, How Can I Be Sure, and People Got To Be Free at their induction ceremony.
According to appThere will be no formal funeral for Danelli, according to Joe Russo, who is in charge of Danelli’s affairs.
RIP: According to App, there will be no formal funeral for Danelli (left), according to Joe Russo, who is in charge of Danelli’s affairs; Cornish is seen on the right with Danelli