Rick Danko

Richard Clare "Rick" Danko (December 29, 1942-December 10, 1999) was a Canadian musician and singer, probably best known as a member of The Band.

Later Years (1977-1999)

Yet, by 1976, Danko wanted out. He needed to find his own voice, and with a contract from Arista Records, he had the chance to record at least one solo album. Issued in 1977, his self titled release featured each of his bandmates as well as a Rolling Stone and Eric Clapton. Primarily recorded at the Band's California Studio, Shangri-La, it is the best and most accessible example of a member of The Band's solo career. The dismal showing of the album, however, barely cracking the Billboard 200, destined it for rarity status, and Danko, though having recorded a follow-up, was dropped from Arista. The follow-up was presumed lost for many years, but finally released as a part of 2005's Cryin' Heart Blues.

Related Topics:
Arista Records - 1977 - Self titled release - Rolling Stone - Eric Clapton - Shangri-La - Billboard - Cryin' Heart Blues

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From 1983 to 1999, Danko alternated between a reformed version of The Band featuring Helm, Hudson, guitarist Jim Weider and from 1983 to 1986 Manuel, a solo career and occasional work with Eric Andersen and Jonas Fjeld. Recording demos throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, it took him until 1997 to follow up his first album with a proper second album. Two years later, a third album featuring Hudson was released, and he was busy at work at a fourth, which he sadly left uncompleted. Meanwhile, The Band recorded three albums of their own and Danko teamed with Fjeld and Andersen for two trio albums, Danko/Fjeld/Andersen in 1991 and Ridin' on the Blinds in 1994.

Related Topics:
The Band - Eric Andersen - Jonas Fjeld - Proper second album - Third album - Fourth - Danko/Fjeld/Andersen - Ridin' on the Blinds

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By the end of 1999, a lifetime of pushing himself over the edge left Danko out of shape, barely recognizable. After a brief tour of the midwest, on December 10, 1999, a few weeks before turning 57, his heart finally gave out, and he died in his sleep. His drug use, which had earned him a harsh prison sentence in Japan for months in 1997 (commuted for Danko's activeness in environmental causes), had nothing to do with it.

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