Rick Danko Was Born On December 29, 1942

Rick Danko was born on December 29th of 1942 in Canada. Danko is best known as being the bass player and a vocalist for The Band.

The Band were initially known to most people as Bob Dylan’s backing band. But they actually begun as a band called The Hawks. In 1967 they started to call themselves The Band. The original band consisted of Robbie Robertson (guitar), Richard Manuel (piano), Garth Hudson (organ), Levon Helm (drums) and Danko (bass.) All of the members except Helm were Canadians. Helm was (and is) an American.

The Band released their debut album, Music from Big Pink in 1968. It includes “The Weight” (written by Robbie Robertson) and a cover of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released.” Danko’s one writing credit on the album was actually a co-written song with Dylan called “This Wheel’s On Fire.”

1969’s self titled album was their second release. It reached #9 on the Billboard album charts and included some of their most well known songs (”Up on Cripple Creek” & “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”) At this time it’s their only album to be certified Platinum by the RIAA (over one million copies shipped in the US.)

Danko sang lead vocals on a number of their songs (including “When You Awake” & “The Unfaithful Servant.”)

Danko died on December 10, 1999 at the age of 56.

Rick Danko: “When You Awake”

The Band, December 29, 1942

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