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Kingfish Guitarist Danny DeGennaro’s Death Ruled a Homicide

Kingfish guitarist Danny DeGennaro, 56, died on Wednesday, December 28 at his home in the Philadelphia suburb of Levittown. Police have ruled the death a homicide caused by a gun shot wound to the chest. Paramedics made attempts revive DeGennaro at the scene before taking him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

DeGennaro is best known for his tenure in San Francisco band Kingfish, which he joined in 1979 alongside New Riders bassist Dave Torbert, drummer Steve Shive and guitarist Steve Kimock. He remained with the band until the release of their most recent studio album Sundown on the Forest in 1999. DeGennaro rejoined with Kingfish in 2010 to perform on their Live and Kicking tour.

The guitarist first rose to popularity when he formed Danny D and The Torpedoes in the ’70s. He has also performed alongside Bob Weir, the late Clarence Clemons, Vassar Clements, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady and many more. In addition, his own Danny DeGennaro Band featured funk guitarist T.J. Tindall and Parliament Funkadelic’s Michael Hampton.

A message posted to the Danny DeGennaro Band Facebook page reads:

“The entire remaining members of the Danny DeGennaro Band, although we are devastated, emotionally lost and shocked, want to thank all of you for your devotion and kindness. We are discussing tributing Dan in the manner he would have loved.”