Danny & the Juniors
Encyclopedia
Danny & The Juniors were a doo-wop
quartet
from Philadelphia comprising Danny Rapp
, Dave White
, Frank Maffei and Joe Terranova. Formed in 1955, they are most widely recognized for their hit single
"At the Hop
", which was released in 1957. They are sometimes erroneously stated as being an Italian-American band (lead singer Danny Rapp was actually of Irish
extraction).
's The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
.
In 1960, the band was signed to Dick Clark's Swan Records
label
, and they released one more record, "Twistin' USA". It made it into the Top 40, and became their final hit single. They went on to release several more singles, but were not able to repeat their earlier successes.
Dave White left the group in the early 1960s to concentrate on writing
and production
. White was very successful in this venture, composing a number of hits, including "You Don't Own Me" for Leslie Gore, and "1-2-3" and "Like A Baby" for Len Barry
.
In the late 1960s, the Juniors also appeared on Guyden Records, Mercury Records
, and Capitol Records
, where they re-recorded "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here To Stay" in 1968.
" was re-issued, and it made its way into the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart
. The single was commercially used for the Canadian National Exhibition
, changing the words to "Let's go to the Ex" rather than "Let's go to the hop." It was parrodied by the band Dash Rip Rock with their single entitled “Let’s Go Smoke Some Pot”, and by NRBQ
during the 1973 energy crisis
under the title, "Get That Gasoline."
After a few quiet years, Danny Rapp was found dead in a hotel
in Arizona
on April 5, 1983, of an apparent suicide
.
"Danny & The Juniors featuring Joe Terry" still tours, with Terranova, Maffei singing lead, and the latter's brother, Bobby Maffei.
Frank and Joe currently (from 1st September 2011) present an hour-long Rock'n'Roll radio special for London's Covent Garden Radio in the UK.
in 2003.
ABC-Paramount Records
Swan Records
Guyden Records
Mercury Records
Luv Records
Crunch Records
Roulette Records
MCA Records
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
quartet
Quartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
from Philadelphia comprising Danny Rapp
Danny Rapp
Daniel Joseph "Danny" Rapp was an American musician and the frontman for the group Danny & the Juniors. The group is best known for their 1957 hit "At the Hop".He was born in Philadelphia, Pa , the youngest of seven siblings...
, Dave White
David White (musician)
David White toured the country with his parents prior to attending school in their acrobatic/hand-balancing act called Barry and Brenda and Company....
, Frank Maffei and Joe Terranova. Formed in 1955, they are most widely recognized for their hit single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"At the Hop
At the Hop
"At the Hop" is a hit rock 'n' roll song written by Arthur Singer, John Medora and David White and originally released by Danny & the Juniors. The song was released in the fall of 1957, and reached number one on the US charts on January 6, 1958, thus becoming one of the top-selling singles of 1958...
", which was released in 1957. They are sometimes erroneously stated as being an Italian-American band (lead singer Danny Rapp was actually of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
extraction).
The 1960s
Danny & the Juniors appeared early in their career on ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom is a half-hour variety show that aired on ABC from October 3, 1957 to June 23, 1960, starring the young singer Pat Boone and a host of top-name guest stars. The program was of course sponsored by Chevrolet...
.
In 1960, the band was signed to Dick Clark's Swan Records
Swan Records
Swan Records was a mid-20th century United States based record label, founded in 1957, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It had a subsidiary label called Lawn Records....
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, and they released one more record, "Twistin' USA". It made it into the Top 40, and became their final hit single. They went on to release several more singles, but were not able to repeat their earlier successes.
Dave White left the group in the early 1960s to concentrate on writing
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and production
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. White was very successful in this venture, composing a number of hits, including "You Don't Own Me" for Leslie Gore, and "1-2-3" and "Like A Baby" for Len Barry
Len Barry
Len Barry is a retired American vocalist, songwriter and record producer.-Career:...
.
In the late 1960s, the Juniors also appeared on Guyden Records, Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, and Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, where they re-recorded "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here To Stay" in 1968.
The 1970s and the end of the Juniors
In 1976, "At the HopAt the Hop
"At the Hop" is a hit rock 'n' roll song written by Arthur Singer, John Medora and David White and originally released by Danny & the Juniors. The song was released in the fall of 1957, and reached number one on the US charts on January 6, 1958, thus becoming one of the top-selling singles of 1958...
" was re-issued, and it made its way into the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The single was commercially used for the Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
, changing the words to "Let's go to the Ex" rather than "Let's go to the hop." It was parrodied by the band Dash Rip Rock with their single entitled “Let’s Go Smoke Some Pot”, and by NRBQ
NRBQ
NRBQ is an American rock band founded in 1967. It is known for its live performances, containing a high degree of spontaneity and levity, and blending rock, pop, jazz, blues and Tin Pan Alley styles. Its best known line-up is the 1974–1994 quartet of pianist Terry Adams, bassist Joey Spampinato,...
during the 1973 energy crisis
1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
under the title, "Get That Gasoline."
After a few quiet years, Danny Rapp was found dead in a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
on April 5, 1983, of an apparent suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
.
"Danny & The Juniors featuring Joe Terry" still tours, with Terranova, Maffei singing lead, and the latter's brother, Bobby Maffei.
Frank and Joe currently (from 1st September 2011) present an hour-long Rock'n'Roll radio special for London's Covent Garden Radio in the UK.
Band member details
- Danny RappDanny RappDaniel Joseph "Danny" Rapp was an American musician and the frontman for the group Danny & the Juniors. The group is best known for their 1957 hit "At the Hop".He was born in Philadelphia, Pa , the youngest of seven siblings...
(born Daniel Joseph Rapp, May 9, 1941, Philadelphia - died April 5, 1983) - Lead TenorTenorThe tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
vocalist. - Joe Terranova (born Joseph Terranova, January 30, 1941, Philadelphia) - BaritoneBaritoneBaritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
/ Bass vocalist - Dave WhiteDavid White (musician)David White toured the country with his parents prior to attending school in their acrobatic/hand-balancing act called Barry and Brenda and Company....
(born Dave White Tricker, September 1, 1939, Philadelphia) - Tenor vocalist. - Frank Maffei (born December 15, 1939 Philadelphia) - Second Tenor vocalist.
Awards and recognition
Danny & The Juniors were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of FameVocal Group Hall of Fame
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor outstanding vocal groups throughout the world. It is headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes a theater and a museum....
in 2003.
Singles
Singular Records- Do the Bop/? (just before release they were known as The Juvenaires) (1957)
- "At the Hop" / "Sometimes" (1957)
ABC-Paramount Records
- "At the HopAt the Hop"At the Hop" is a hit rock 'n' roll song written by Arthur Singer, John Medora and David White and originally released by Danny & the Juniors. The song was released in the fall of 1957, and reached number one on the US charts on January 6, 1958, thus becoming one of the top-selling singles of 1958...
" / "Sometimes (When I'm All Alone)" (1957) - "Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay" / "School Boy Romance" (1958)
- "Dottie" / "In The Meantime" (1958)
- "A Thief" / "Crazy Cave" (1958)
- "Sassy Fran" / "I Feel So Lonely" (1958)
- "Do You Love Me" / "Somehow I Can't Forget" (1959)
- "Playing Hard To Get" / "Of Love" (1959)
Swan Records
Swan Records
Swan Records was a mid-20th century United States based record label, founded in 1957, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It had a subsidiary label called Lawn Records....
- "Twistin' U.S.A." / "A Thousand Miles Away" (1960)
- "Candy Cane, Sugary Plum" / "Oh Holy Night" (1960)
- "Daydreamer" / "Pony Express" (1961) [#60 U.S.]
- "Cha Cha Go Go (Chicago Cha-Cha)" / "Mister Whisper" (1961)
- "Back At The Hop" / "The Charleston Fish" (1961) [#80 U.S.]
- "Twistin' All Night Long" / "Some Kind Of Nut" (1962) [#68 U.S]
- "(Do The) Mashed Potatoes" / "Doin' The Continental Walk" (1962) [#93 U.S.]
- "We Got Soul" / "Funny" (1962)
Guyden Records
- "Oo-La-La-Limbo" / "Now And Then" (1962) [#99 U.S.]
Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
- "Sad Girl" / "Let's Go Ski-ing" (1964)
Luv Records
- "Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay" / "Sometimes (When I'm All Alone)" (1968)
Crunch Records
- "At The Hop" / "Let The Good Times Roll" (1973)
Roulette Records
Roulette Records
Roulette Records is an American record label, which was founded in late 1956, by George Goldner, Joe Kolsky, Morris Levy and Phil Khals, with creative control given to producers and songwriters Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Levy was appointed as director...
- "At The Hop" / "Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay" (1973)
MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
- "At The Hop" / "Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay" (1980)