Daryl Dragon
Encyclopedia
Daryl Frank Dragon is a keyboardist
, known as Captain in the successful 1970s pop music
al duo
Captain & Tennille
, with his wife
, Toni Tennille
.
Dragon is the son of conductor
, composer
, and arranger
, Carmen Dragon
- his godfather was actor comedian Danny Thomas
. He is the elder brother
of Dennis Dragon, a member of the 1960s’ pop combo The Dragons (which included Doug Dragon) and the 1980s’ surf
band
, the Surf Punks
. Dragon contributed vibes
and melodica
in the song “Wind ’n’ Sea” by the band Farm, a group put together by brothers Dennis and Doug for the soundtrack to The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun, a surf film directed by George Greenough
. He also did session work with Dennis for the Go for It
soundtrack
.
In 1962, he became a member of the band Charles Wright & the Wright Sounds, a group which included future Watts Band member John Raynford. Dragon was also a keyboard
player with The Beach Boys
in the early 1970s, and got his nickname of "Captain" from the group's lead singer Mike Love
. He perpetuated this nickname
and image by wearing a nautical captain
's hat.
Dragon also made significant contributions with keyboarding and musical scoring on the Beach Boys' 23rd official album, their 1972 release Carl and the Passions - "So Tough". Dragon's orchestrations on the tracks "Make It Good" and "Cuddle Up" translated the melodic
ideas that Dennis Wilson
was looking for.
announced that Daryl had developed a mild form of Parkinson's disease
which has manifested through a familial tremor. According to Tennille, the disease will be neither debilitating nor terminal for Daryl. Rather, the disease has caused a noticeable tremor that is exacerbated by stress and anxiety; subsequently, the disease has limited most of Daryl's public appearances. As of November 2009, Daryl was under physicians' care to best determine treatment for his Parkinson's.
In September 2010, Toni Tennille adjusted the announcement of Daryl's condition as "a neurological condition (not Parkinsons, but something similar) that causes him to have tremors". Tennille indicates the condition continues to be debilitating to Daryl's abilities as a musician.
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
, known as Captain in the successful 1970s pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
al duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
Captain & Tennille
Captain & Tennille
Captain & Tennille are American pop music recording artists who achieved chart success from 1975 to 1980. The duo consists of husband and wife duo "Captain" Daryl Dragon , and Cathryn Antoinette "Toni" Tennille . They are best known for their singles "Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Do That to Me...
, with his wife
Wife
A wife is a female partner in a marriage. The rights and obligations of the wife regarding her spouse and others, and her status in the community and in law, varies between cultures and has varied over time.-Origin and etymology:...
, Toni Tennille
Toni Tennille
Cathryn Antoinette "Toni" Tennille is one-half of the 1970s Grammy Award-winning duo Captain & Tennille. Tennille has also done musical work independently of her husband Daryl Dragon. Tennille has a contralto vocal range.-Biography:...
.
Dragon is the son of conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and arranger
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
, Carmen Dragon
Carmen Dragon
Carmen Dragon was an American conductor, composer, and arranger who in addition to live performances and recording, worked in radio, film, and television.Dragon was born in Antioch, California...
- his godfather was actor comedian Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas was an American nightclub comedian and television and film actor, best known for starring in the television sitcom Make Room for Daddy . He was also the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital...
. He is the elder brother
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
of Dennis Dragon, a member of the 1960s’ pop combo The Dragons (which included Doug Dragon) and the 1980s’ surf
Surf music
Surf music is a genre of popular music associated with surf culture, particularly as found in Orange County and other areas of Southern California. It was particularly popular between 1961 and 1965, has subsequently been revived and was highly influential on subsequent rock music...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, the Surf Punks
Surf Punks
The Surf Punks were a pop punk band formed in 1976 by Malibu residents Dennis Dragon , and Drew Steele...
. Dragon contributed vibes
Vibraphone
The vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family....
and melodica
Melodica
The melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
in the song “Wind ’n’ Sea” by the band Farm, a group put together by brothers Dennis and Doug for the soundtrack to The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun, a surf film directed by George Greenough
George Greenough
George Greenough is an innovative surfer and cinematographer from Santa Barbara, California who now resides in Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia. He was born to a wealthy family but despised its trappings and spent most of his time in the ocean. Greenough is best known for creating the modern...
. He also did session work with Dennis for the Go for It
Go for It
-Chart Position:-Personnel:*Jake Burns - vocals/guitar/piano*Jim Reilly - drums*Henry Cluney - guitar*Ali McMordie - bass guitar*Stewart van Blandamer - alto saxophone*Tony Hughes - trumpet*Steve "Fixit" Farr - baritone saxophone...
soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
.
In 1962, he became a member of the band Charles Wright & the Wright Sounds, a group which included future Watts Band member John Raynford. Dragon was also a keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
player with The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
in the early 1970s, and got his nickname of "Captain" from the group's lead singer Mike Love
Mike Love
Michael Edward "Mike" Love is an American singer/songwriter and musician with The Beach Boys. He was a founding member of the band along with his cousins Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, and their friend Al Jardine, and continues to perform with the band to the present day...
. He perpetuated this nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
and image by wearing a nautical captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
's hat.
Dragon also made significant contributions with keyboarding and musical scoring on the Beach Boys' 23rd official album, their 1972 release Carl and the Passions - "So Tough". Dragon's orchestrations on the tracks "Make It Good" and "Cuddle Up" translated the melodic
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
ideas that Dennis Wilson
Dennis Wilson
Dennis Carl Wilson was an American rock and roll musician best known as a founding member and the drummer of The Beach Boys. He was a member of the group from its formation until his death in 1983...
was looking for.
Neurological condition
In late 2009, Toni TennilleToni Tennille
Cathryn Antoinette "Toni" Tennille is one-half of the 1970s Grammy Award-winning duo Captain & Tennille. Tennille has also done musical work independently of her husband Daryl Dragon. Tennille has a contralto vocal range.-Biography:...
announced that Daryl had developed a mild form of Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
which has manifested through a familial tremor. According to Tennille, the disease will be neither debilitating nor terminal for Daryl. Rather, the disease has caused a noticeable tremor that is exacerbated by stress and anxiety; subsequently, the disease has limited most of Daryl's public appearances. As of November 2009, Daryl was under physicians' care to best determine treatment for his Parkinson's.
In September 2010, Toni Tennille adjusted the announcement of Daryl's condition as "a neurological condition (not Parkinsons, but something similar) that causes him to have tremors". Tennille indicates the condition continues to be debilitating to Daryl's abilities as a musician.