Danny Rapp

Rock/Doo-Wop Musician. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rapp was the lead singer of the popular 1950s musical group, 'Danny & The Juniors.' The group was formed in a high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1955, and besides Rapp included, Frank Maffei, Lennie Baker, Dave White Tricker, Joe Terranova, and Bill Carlucci. Originally known as 'The Juvenairs' the group choreographed their own dance moves, and often performed at after school gigs and local area shows. In 1957, the group was discovered by a businessman named Jahn Madara, who had happened to see them while they were were working a record hop. A promoter of Rock 'n' Roll music, Madara introuduced the band to a songwriter and vocal coach named Artie Singer, and who also owned the Singular Records Label. After an audition, the band were signed to the label, and soon released there first song, 'Do The Bop.' The song's title was later changed to, 'At The Bop,' due to the fact that the word 'Bop' was by then pretty much out of fashion. The song released in 1957, was first cut as a demo with the help of music producer Leon Huff and after 13 takes at the Reco-Art Studios, the copy was sent around to radio DJ's. The song was released as the group's first single, and it became a regional hit first, and then a national hit. The song went to #1 for 7 weeks on the music charts and sold over 7,000 copies in their hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The song which was an immediate success would also become their signature song. In 1957, they were also asked to appear on Dick Clark's television program, "American Bandstand" as a replacement for 'Little Anthony & The Imperials.' Following the success of their single, 'At The Hop,' the band then released the Top 20 hit, 'Rock And Roll Is Here to Stay,' and also toured with several bands of Alan Freed's traveling Rock 'n' Roll shows. They followed this with two other singles that ended up going into the Top 40 Charts. In 1963 the group switched over to the Swan Record Label, but after the release of a couple more songs including, 'Twistin' USA,' and 'Dottie,' the group eventually disbanded a year later. The group's members continued on in the music business doing their own things, Madara kept producing and finding new talent, while the group's members joined, founded other bands, or had solo careers. On April 3, 1983, Danny Rapp committed suicide, in Quartzsite, Arizona, at the age of 41. Other songs by 'Danny & The Juniors' are, 'Funny,' 'Of Love,' 'Crazy Cave,' 'Sassy Fran,' 'I Feel So Lonely,''Playing Hard To Get,' and 'School Boy Romance.'