We were just discussing Dino Danelli in a thread a couple months ago. Sad to see that he passed away.

When I was first learning to play the drums as a teenager, listening to The Young Rascals LPs, I remember wishing that - someday - I could play half as good as Dino. I wasn't into the stick twirling, stiff body movements, all that showmanship stuff....but I wanted to have his feel and his chops....Now at 71 years old, I'm still wishing that I could play half as good as Dino Danelli.

May his soul rest in peace.

Regards, mb

I knew Dino for years, and knew he was ill with dementia. I'll write more tomorrow. I loved his playing. He was a huge influence on me.

Very sad. To me, 78 years of age is still too young. When many bands were using hired studio guns like the Wrecking Crew in the 1960s, Dino was laying it down himself. Great, great drummer. And Bob, I'd love to hear more about your time with Dino. Maybe that's the new book you are destined to write

Larry, Dino was a very private person, a near recluse at times. When I was writing my book, I met him at a restaurant in NYC, and tried conducting the interview there, but it was too noisy. Dino invited me to his apartment on East 81st Street near Central Park the following week. He was having the place painted, and there was very little furniture, no gold records, nothing that would make you believe a bona fide rock star lived there. So we sat on the floor. I asked a lot of questions, and Dino happily gave me the answers I needed, much of which went into his chapter. He told me he no longer owned a drumset, but backlined rented drums all the time. I asked Dino to show me his stick twirl, but he couldn't even find a pair of sticks! He was doing a lot of commercial art at that point to make a living.

Dino gave his Yosemite Sam set to a drummer friend down on his luck. He gave another set to Eddie Brigati, that he still has, I believe. I have an old broken Ludwig Speed King pedal, some odd drumsticks, and a gong mallet, all previously owned by Dino, given to me indirectly by Eddie.

I've related the story of the red Rogers snare drum already. It's still for sale at nearly $7000. I wanted that drum really badly!

https://reverb.com/item/61857196-rar...0s-red-sparkle

Agreed, sad news. I enjoyed his work with the Rascals a great deal.

Dino was a big influence on me. seeing him on The Ed Sullivan show, He was a showman par excellence. He was too cool for school.

Originally Posted by vintagemore2000

Dino was a big influence on me. seeing him on The Ed Sullivan show, He was a showman par excellence. He was too cool for school.

You are so right, sir! Way too cool! ...Brian

It's a beautiful warm Summer like day today and The Rascals "Groovin" comes on the radio. Makes me appreciate Dino and the band's music. What would Summer be without their classic songs? I just hope future generations understand and appreciate their talent as much as we have.