Died On This Date (December 28, 2011) Danny DeGennaro aka Dan Rio / Kingfish
themusicsover Daniel DeGennaro
DOB Unknown – December 28, 2011
Danny DeGennaro, who also performed as Dan Rio, was Philadelphia-area singer, songwriter, and guitarist who is perhaps best remembered as a former member of Kingfish, a band which also counted Bob Weir and New Riders of the Purple Sage bassist, Dave Torbert, as members. Joining the outfit post-Weir in 1979, Rio played guitar and shared vocals until they disbanded following the death of Torbert in 1982. Rio also performed or recorded with Billy Squier, Bo Diddley and Jorma Kaukonen, Clarence Clemons throughout his career. In recent years, DeGennaro fronted his own 5-piece blues band, the Danny DeGennaro Band. On December 28, 2011, Danny DeGennaro, age 56, was shot and killed in his yard in what appeared to have been a robbery. Police had no suspects in the early weeks following the murder but indicated it likely was not a random attack.
Dave Torbert was a bassist who is perhaps best remembered for his time playing in the New Riders of the Purple Sage. He was also a founding member of Kingfish who, at one point or another also employed Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and