Danny McKenna
April 14, 1952 – April 26, 2006
Danny McKenna was the founding guitarist for Texas rock band, Toby Beau who scored a 1978 hit with “My Angel Baby.” It was a #1 hit on the Easy Listening charts and reached #13 on the overall singles chart. The single would eventually achieve gold status and was recognized by BMI for receiving over 1 million radio plays. Due in part to the success of the single, Toby Beau toured with the likes of Bob Seger, Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers. McKenna left the band before the release of their follow-up album and returned to Texas, got married and had two children. He started a successful business as a luthier, repairing and refurbishing all kinds of stringed instruments for local musicians, as well as others throughout Texas. He also handmade several guitars and instruments of his own invention, such as an electric “J-fiddle” and a hybrid between an electric guitar and a mandolin. McKenna always remained active as a musician and formed several local bands throughout the years, and he was extremely generous when sharing his love of music, often doing free repairs for churches or students who couldn’t afford it. He passed away on April 26, 2006 at the age of 54. – Additional information courtesy of Emily McKenna.
What You Should Own
Thanks for remembering my sweetheart.
Margie. I guess you are Danny’s significant other…I’m 56 years old. The 1st Toby album is still in my top 25. & not because of Angel. I am more found of his other compositions:same old line,into the night, etc.& his fret work…love it! Sorry to hear of his passing. an old fan, Chuck
I’ll always remember him Margie. Danny was the consumate gentleman, musician and craftsman. While he was working with Melhart Music he completely rehabbed and brought back to life an old family Harmony guitar for me that had much more sentimental meaning than monetary value. It has even more sentimental value now knowing it was Danny who restored it. His ‘McKennaCaster’ hand-built guitars and electric ‘J’ fiddles were works of fine art we’ll not soon see again. A tragic loss for the music world and all who knew him.
Kind regards,
Aurelius
Kerrville, Texas
Aurelius,
Thank you for your kind words of remembrance. His talents and character were such a blessing to all of us. His good works live on in so many ways. Thank you for sharing your memories.
Take care,
Margie McKenna
This Les Paul tiger top is the guitar Danny used to write My Angel Baby (co-written with Balde Silva in 1977 while recording at The Manor Studio in England).
1978 Bob Seger came to Fresno, CA. I will never forget the concert, Toby Beau performed and after the concert Roy and I were taken back stage to meet everyone. The concert was great, it was held in Selland Arena. Danny was so talented and such a good husband to my sister and father to my nephrew and neice, he will always be in our prayers.
Love you sis…Margie Frase McKenna
I was involved with a church praise band with Danny for several years. The nicest guy in the world. Humble, cooperative, helpful, enthusiastic, was Danny. And what a musician! I miss you, Danny.
Danny and his family will always be in our prayers. My, then girlfriend and now wife, Eliza and I were able to attend the Bob Seger/Toby Beau Concert in Houston in 1978. On the tour bus and backstage, Danny and Balde were so kind to Eliza and kept the personal jabs at me down to a minimum. My Dad and Mom taught in Donna and in Weslaco and I always felt welcome in the Mckenna Home, with the collection of Karmann Ghias ever present in the driveway. I remember the rides in his old white van when he drove to Weslaco looking for Balde after school. I remember when he first picked up the banjo and played it for us in his room at home. While he was on one of his first tours, Abbey was in Houston and I played and sang “Bottle of Wine” for Abbey at the dorms at UH when she was up visting friends that lived in the same dorm where I lived at college. I was introducing my friends to Toby Beau even before the first album came out. Well, I have so many memories, but I’ll leave with a note of thanks and of a prayer that we will soon all be together again.
God Bless,
Wayne Gossett
My name is Danny Ray Mckenna I live in Nacogdoches,Texas I was raised in the state of Idaho ,but my mom & dad were raised in Neligh & Plattsmouth Nebraska. I was just humanly curiose if any relations I kind of doubt it ,but you never know it doesn’t hurt to ask. I am not a musician but I love different kinds of music especially gospel. Eventhough I don’t know anything about your Danny but it sounds like he was quit the musicians.
Just saying Hello from
Nacogdoches,Texas
Danny Mckenna
2006 virginia avenue
Nacogdoches,Texas 75964
Danny Ray,
Danny’s great-grandfather, Joseph McKenna, and grandfather, Wallace J. McKenna were from St.Louis, Missouri. Could be a connection. Like the name Smith in the U.S., McKenna is a very common sirname in Ireland.
His father and our son, also share the name…Daniel, Dan, Danny…it’s all good:))
I went to school with Danny and Abby. Through the years, I would ask relatives in Donna about Danny and the McKenna family. When I heard of Danny’s passing, I thought about the sweet, gentle, funny, and extremely talented young man I had known. My thoughts and prayers are with you Margie and the rest of his family.
Danny’s father, Dan McKenna, Sr. passed away peacefully on Oct.29th. Danny’s father was always Danny’s greatest fan and supporter. Dan Sr. was a marvelous pianist from an early age. He loved all kinds of music, he was even a radio dj in his youth. Dan Sr. passed his love of music on to Danny at an early age with the introduction of the guitar. When Danny was 11 years old, his dad helped Danny and his group haul equipment around for sock-hops and others gigs. Dan was always interested in supporting and promoting Danny’s music career, passing out flyers, records, tapes, cd’s, What a marvelous dad! We are going to miss him, but now his spirit is with Danny, and I can imagine they’re having a great time playing music together.
I am sorry to hear of Mr. Mckenna’s passing. Danny and his dad were of the same cut, being so kind and caring. I agree that he and Danny are together. Our prayers are with you. My youngest son, B.J., has developed into quite a good guitarist, along with playing the bass, mandolin, and piano. He has joined with Eliza and me in our church choir, and enjoys Danny’s music. I still have two quitars that I bought from Danny. One he repaired after my middle son at the age of 4 walked on it and cracked the face and offset the neck. It still plays perfectly today. I miss Danny, and that time together in the Valley.
God Bless,
Wayne
i met danny as as a kid. My brother tells me he was his influence to perfection. i believe that. My brother is a perfectionist himself.I listen to my brothers advise when it comes to music, just like he listen to danny.There are alot of great guitar players out there, but danny to me was one of the best ever. I listen to every lick he plays and i still cant get the sound he gets.Balde Silva, my brother and Danny were a great team.
From Brownsville Texas
First saw Danny perform with Toby Beau at a club in South Padre Island.
What a band!
Just remembering Danny. He did some work for me on a Gibson J-45 guitar.
He also worked on an Eric Clapton “Blackie” for me . Still own these guitars.
Always very helpful and genorous with his time and advise.
I purchased a beautiful Taylor from Melhart’s on his advise.
Good man, Great Musician, his name always comes up at garage jams.
remembering danny. andy gibson introduced me to danny. two of the nicest folks i’ve ever had the good fortune to meet.
From Temple, Texas
As young man in the mid-seventies and growing up in Donna, I always heard about the famous guy who used to live in the house with all the Karmann Ghias in the drive-way. Of course I never met the guy, but eventually learned that his group was responsible for one of my favorite songs: Angel Baby. Not really knowing too much, I always assumed it was Balde who was the Donna native…until recently I came to the realization that it was indeed Danny McKenna, whom I idolized as the elusive celebrity from my hometown. Regardless of the time transpired, I share in the loss of a man who undoubtedly, was a person of great character and bountiful talent. May he forever rest in peace and his family find respite in the knowledge that he left a grand legacy.
Sincerely,
C Coss
Good day to everyone here and there, I’m Gary just a back country kinda guy that loves music. My good friend Jess introduced me to TOBY BEAU in the late 70’s, as my artists were limited due to availability to listen and learn music!! I learnt music from the radio and played my music from what I heard and learnt. I’m a music lover more and more as the years go on and it’s important to give my feelings to the people in his life then and now! I’m sorry as I’m in the dark to what’s happening in the world today as well as the past!! Blame it on CANADA!!!! But I make no blame or excuse as I had a hard time to find Toby Beau until I found it on line with a great company in the U.S.A. Thanks and I’ll not only listen but play the music with my GUITAR as lomg as I live or can!!??
I wish the best to family and friends, My Luv to all..