Daniel Joseph "Danny" Rapp (May 9, 1941 – April 5, 1983) was an American musician and the front man for the group Danny & the Juniors. The group is best known for their 1957 hit "At the Hop". He was born in Philadelphia, the youngest of seven siblings. Although his birth certificate states his birth was May 10, he was born at home on May 9 and registered the following day.
Philadelphia high school students Danny Rapp, Dave White, Joe Terranova, and Frank Maffei started singing together in 1955 as "The Juvenairs". The boys were fans of the local rhythm and blues radio stations, where they heard the first stirrings of a new music soon to become known as Rock 'n Roll. The four teens quickly decided to become part of the new movement and began to perform the new songs as well as their own original material at school dances, local clubs and restaurants.
on five continents, reaching #1 on the pop, country and rhythm and blues charts. It stands today as the #23 all-time biggest record according to The Billboard Magazine List Of #1 Hits.With the success of "At The Hop", Danny And The Juniors began touring with the other early founders of American Rock In Roll such as Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Platters in the famous Alan Freed Big Beat Show, as well as appearing at many of the nations top nightclubs, arenas and fairs.
The follow up to "At The Hop" was "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here to Stay", which became a rock and roll anthem in the '50's. The song was written in response to attacks against rock and roll music that included a rock record smashing party sponsored by St Louis radio station, KWK. The tune rose to number 19 and was the group's only other US top twenty hit. They did however, place nine more songs on Billboard's Hot 100, including "Twistin' USA" and "Pony Express".
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L-R:Danny Rapp, Dave White, Joe Terranova, and Frank Maffei |
Danny and the Juniors broke up and regrouped over the years, and split into 2 groups in 1978. One featured Joe Terranova and Frank Maffei, while the other featured Rapp with various backing singers. Both groups performed under the "Danny and the Juniors" name.Danny and the Juniors played the oldies circuit for a while. Rapp's last performance was in Phoenix, Arizona at the Silver Lining Lounge of The Different Pointe restaurant in the Pointe Tapatio Resort in a month-long engagement. On April 5, 1983, Rapp was found dead at the Yacht Club Motel in Quartzsite, Arizona, of an apparent suicide by gunshot. He was a few weeks short of his 42nd birthday. Rapp was staying at the motel whilst performing at the Pointe Tapatio Resort. It is said that he’d performed badly and been depressed and drinking heavily during the day.
Danny & the Juniors, featuring Joe Terry, continued to tour. They appeared at music festivals in England following release of their Swan recordings by Rollercoaster Records, who had acquired the original master tapes. Their wholesome, fun-loving stage show consisted of comedy, impressions, bright costumes and audience participation -- while still preserving their rich history.
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| Danny Rapp with Donald O'Connor 1978 |
Danny & the Juniors, featuring Joe Terry, continued to tour. They appeared at music festivals in England following release of their Swan recordings by Rollercoaster Records, who had acquired the original master tapes. Their wholesome, fun-loving stage show consisted of comedy, impressions, bright costumes and audience participation -- while still preserving their rich history.
In 1992, Danny & The Juniors were inducted into the Hall of Fame and the Walk of Fame in their hometown by the Philadelphia Music Alliance. In 2003, the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Other members David White died on March 16, 2019, at the age of 79 and Joe Terry died on April 15, 2019 at age 78. (Edited from Classic Bands & Wikipedia)