Dino Danelli, the drummer for the 1960s hitmakers and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Rascals, died on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in New York City at the age of 78.

The announcement confirming his passing was first made on the band’s official Facebook page, and followed up by a statement from the band’s former guitarist Gene Cornish.

‘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 began on The Rascals Facebook page.

‘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.’

The posted ended with ‘Blessings to you all’, and was attributed to Joe Russo, who is listed as Dino Danelli’s spokesman. His cause of death was not given.

Danelli, a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, who kept the beat behind the drums for the band’s entire nine-album run, was dubbed “one of the great unappreciated rock drummers in history.”