Posted on 04/27/2006 9:32:02 AM PDT by Liberty Valance
McALLEN TEXAS — Daniel McKenna, a beloved McAllen musician and former guitarist for the band that struck a hit in 1978 with “My Angel Baby,” was found dead in his home early Wednesday morning.
McAllen police said McKenna, who had been part of the country-folk band Toby Beau, shot himself in his bathroom.
The 54-year-old’s death stunned his family and many people who knew him well, including his First United Methodist church community and former Toby Beau band member Art Mendoza.
“It’s hard to believe he did that,” Mendoza said, remembering the time he spent with the young McKenna touring South Texas clubs.
Mendoza first heard McKenna play at the now-defunct Green Flame club, which used to be located near the McAllen airport. McKenna’s band was called the American Ice Cream Revolution, he said.
“He’s a phenomenal guitarist,” he said.
Mendoza said he admired McKenna’s musical prowess so that the next time he saw him strumming away at McAllen’s Chandelle Club in 1972, he asked to join him as a rhythm guitarist, and McKenna welcomed him.
But the Toby Beau the public knows today didn’t come together until 1974 when Balde Silva, Steve Zipper and Rob Young joined the band. Shortly after, guitarist Ron Rose replaced Mendoza.
Toby Beau was the name of one of the last original wooden shrimp boats docked in Port Isabel. When McKenna would go fishing, he would see the beautiful, yet simple Toby Beau bobbing in the water.
“Danny loved to go fishing,” Mendoza said. “… He loved to fish. That’s what I remember more than anything.”
Silva still tours on cruise ships and around South Padre Island using the band’s name.
McKenna, who was born in Donna, departed from the band before it completed its second album, “More Than a Love Song.”
He sometimes talked about his brush with fame, said his 24-year-old daughter, Emily, on Wednesday.
Music was always a part of his life.
“He played the guitar since he was 5 or 6 years old. He repaired, restored, refurbished and built all string instruments,” she said.
She said her father had extremely bad allergies to all types of trees, grass, dust and even food. The illness kept him from doing the things he loved — like playing music. He looked for other places to live, but “still felt like he couldn’t breathe.”
“He was sick of being sick,” she said.
Up until about a year ago, McKenna played every during Saturday night worship service with the McFirst Praise Team. And he was the lead guitarist on a church-produced CD, “Look What the Lord Has Done,” said Susan Geissler, a retired school counselor and McKenna’s friend. His music was exactly what some people seeking spiritual guidance needed, she said.
“He has that one-of-a-kind harmony and rhythm that added to the message that would touch the soul.”
The church members are helping the family cope with his death by visiting and taking over food, said Geissler. The McKennas have been a staple at First United Methodist for quite some time. McKenna will be missed dearly, she said.
“(His music) is more intricate than you could imagine in its complexity. But it was like love,” Geissler said, pausing for a moment. “It was clear.”
Visitation will take place Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Ric Brown Funeral Home 621 E. Griffin Parkway in Mission.
Cari Hammerstrom covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4424.
Sad ping.
I'm very sorry to hear about this great loss to this gentleman's family and friends. May God bless him!
Depression kills. It's nothing to laugh about.
So true.
CNN has a small blurb as well...
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/27/obit.mckenna.ap/index.html
Here's a link to some of Danny's music on-line courtesy of the McAllen Monitor...
http://www.themonitor.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/Templates/myangelbaby/index.html
McKenna ping
BTTT
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.