Danny Weis
Encyclopedia
Guitarist Danny Weis is best known as a founding member of both Iron Butterfly
and Rhinoceros
, as well as co-writer of Rhinoceros's only charting single, "Apricot Brandy". Though he left Iron Butterfly after only one album due to internal tensions, his work was an influence in the band for most of their history, since his replacement Erik Brann made a conscious effort to imitate his playing. Weis later recounted "Erik Braunn replaced me in Iron Butterfly, and if I remember correctly, he bought a lot of my equipment, some of my clothes, they tried to clone me basically..."
Weis appeared on Iron Butterfly's first two singles, "Don't Look Down On Me
" and "Possession
", and their debut LP Heavy. In addition, the later album Live
included a performance of "You Can't Win", a song from Heavy for which Weis wrote the music.
After leaving Iron Butterfly, Weis became a founding member of Rhinoceros and played on all three of their albums. "Apricot Brandy", an instrumental he wrote with Rhinoceros keyboardist Michael Fonfara, reached #46 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been used as background music on a number of TV shows.
After Rhinoceros disbanded in 1970, Weis briefly served as a member of The Rascals
. He then reunited with several fellow members of Rhinoceros to form the band Blackstone, which broke up after one unsuccessful album.
In 1979 Danny appeared as the Band Leader and Guitarist of "The Rose Band" in the movie The Rose
with Bette Midler
.
In December 2006, Weis's debut solo album, an instrumental smooth jazz
effort titled Sweet Spot, was released on Marshmellow Records.
Weis lives in Toronto where he works as a freelance musician, frequently playing with R&B band The Lincolns
.
Iron Butterfly
Iron Butterfly is a US psychedelic rock band best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".Their heyday was the late 1960s, but the band has been reincarnated with various members. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the 31st best-selling album in the world, selling more than 25 million copies.-History:The...
and Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros (band)
Rhinoceros was a rock band established in 1967 by Elektra Records as that label's intended supergroup. The band, while well respected in many circles, did not live up to the record label's expectations...
, as well as co-writer of Rhinoceros's only charting single, "Apricot Brandy". Though he left Iron Butterfly after only one album due to internal tensions, his work was an influence in the band for most of their history, since his replacement Erik Brann made a conscious effort to imitate his playing. Weis later recounted "Erik Braunn replaced me in Iron Butterfly, and if I remember correctly, he bought a lot of my equipment, some of my clothes, they tried to clone me basically..."
Weis appeared on Iron Butterfly's first two singles, "Don't Look Down On Me
Don't Look Down on Me
"Don't Look Down On Me" b/w "Possession" is a rare single recorded by Iron Butterfly between late 1967 and early 1968. The single was performed by the Heavy lineup. "Don't Look Down On Me" is a somewhat heavy song with an organ opening. It is sung lead by Darryl DeLoach with Doug Ingle on organ...
" and "Possession
Possession (Iron Butterfly song)
"Possession" b/w "Evil Temptation" is a rare single recorded by Iron Butterfly between 1967 and 1968, but not released until 1970 for unknown reasons. The first side is "Possession", which is the same version from their earlier single, "Don't Look Down on Me".On the flip side is "Evil Temptation",...
", and their debut LP Heavy. In addition, the later album Live
Live (Iron Butterfly album)
Live is the first live album by Iron Butterfly, released in 1970. It was a commercial hit, reaching #20 on the Billboard album charts.-Reception:Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic rated Live three out of five stars...
included a performance of "You Can't Win", a song from Heavy for which Weis wrote the music.
After leaving Iron Butterfly, Weis became a founding member of Rhinoceros and played on all three of their albums. "Apricot Brandy", an instrumental he wrote with Rhinoceros keyboardist Michael Fonfara, reached #46 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been used as background music on a number of TV shows.
After Rhinoceros disbanded in 1970, Weis briefly served as a member of The Rascals
The Rascals
The Rascals were an American blue-eyed soul group initially active during the years 1965–72. The band released numerous top ten singles in North America during the mid- and late-1960s, including the U.S. #1 hits "Good Lovin'" , "Groovin'" , and "People Got to Be Free"...
. He then reunited with several fellow members of Rhinoceros to form the band Blackstone, which broke up after one unsuccessful album.
In 1979 Danny appeared as the Band Leader and Guitarist of "The Rose Band" in the movie The Rose
The Rose (film)
The Rose is a 1979 American musical drama film which tells the story of a self-destructive 1960s rock star who struggles to cope with the constant pressures of her career and the demands of her ruthless business manager...
with Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
.
In December 2006, Weis's debut solo album, an instrumental smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
effort titled Sweet Spot, was released on Marshmellow Records.
Weis lives in Toronto where he works as a freelance musician, frequently playing with R&B band The Lincolns
The Lincolns
- History :In 1979, after leaving the Alice Cooper tours, Prakash John returned to Toronto and founded an R&B band in tribute to the Toronto bands of his youth. He recruited some of the best musicians available, some from previous tours, particularly the Lou Reed Sally Can't Dance album and tour...
.