His bandmate has paid tribute (Picture: Stephen Paley/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
The Rascals drummer Dino Danelli, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his group, has died at the age of 78, his bandmate has shared.
In a statement published on his Facebook page, guitarist Gene Cornish said that he shared the news with a ‘broken heart’.
‘It is with a broken heart that I must tell you of the passing of Dino Danelli. He was my brother and the greatest drummer I’ve ever seen. I am devastated at this moment. Rest In Peace Dino I love you brother,’ he wrote.
A message was also posted on the Facebook page for The Rascals – initially known as The Young Rascals – by Joe Russo, who was described as Danelli’s spokesman.
‘Our beloved Dino passed away today. I will say more in the near future about his incredible talent and share experiences from his life he relayed to me, as well as ones we spent as friends and collaborators,’ it read.
‘I hope you will all continue to appreciate his talent and send him your love. Thank you for supporting his various endeavors throughout his career. You all made it possible for him to live his dream, which was to be a musician and artist. Blessings to you all.’
The Rascals had several well-known hits, including A Girl Like You and Good Lovin’ (Picture: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
In a second statement, Russo clarified that Danelli has ‘no manager or publicist’ other than himself as a representative, stating: ‘I informed the followers of the aforementioned Facebook pages of Dino’s passing this afternoon after contacting immediate family and the other members of The Rascals.
‘I’m sorry if the news came sudden and seemingly without context, but I felt it was important that the public learned sooner than later.’
Russo wrote that ‘art, music and film consumed his mind and his heart’, explaining that the late rocker was ‘an insomniac’, resulting in him ‘sometimes staying awake for days, because he was always writing, reading, painting, drawing, watching films’.
‘He was beyond private and for someone who many consider one of the greatest drummers of all time, humble to a fault.’
Danelli’s talent as a drummer has been highly praised (Picture: Donaldson Collection/Getty Images)
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey to an Italian family in 1944, Danelli trained in his youth as a jazz drummer.
In the mid-1960s, his band – originally known as The Young Rascals – was formed, after teaming up with singer Eddie Brigati, pianist Felix Cavaliere and guitarist Cornish.
In 1997, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, before being inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2010.
Several of their biggest hits over the years included Good Lovin’, Groovin’, People Got To Be Free, How Can I Be Sure? and A Girl Like You.
In the 1970s after The Rascals was disbanded, Danelli also formed a band called Bulldog with Cornish, which was disbanded in 1975.
Over the years he also joined groups including the Leslie West Band, Fotomaker and Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul.
A decade ago, The Rascals were reunited, performing at the Capital Theater in New York and the Richard Rogers Theatre on Broadway.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the representative for The Rascals for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : LL Cool J leads tributes as rapper Grand Daddy I.U. dies ‘peacefully in his sleep’ aged 54
MORE : Twin Peaks composer Angelo Badalamenti, known for show’s theme song, dies aged 85
Follow Metro on Snapchat
You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.
Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.
And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.
His bandmate honoured the ‘best drummer I’ve ever seen’.
