Danny DeGennaro, former guitarist for Grateful Dead-inspired rock outfit Kingfish and Danny D and the Torpedoes, died this past Wednesday evening (December 28) after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest. He was 56 years old.
ABC reports that DeGennaro's death is being investigated as a homicide. The musician was discovered dying in his Levittown, PA area home by a tenant living in the basement of the building, who then ran across the street to find help. He is not considered a suspect in the case. DeGennaro was taken to St. Mary Medical Center, but was pronounced dead by the time he arrived.
"We have a suspicious death," Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler told PhillyBurbs.com. "It does involve a gunshot wound to the chest. We're obviously treating it as a suspicious death."
DeGennaro had joined Kingfish in 1979 and played alongside Grateful Dead member Bob Weir, who performed off and on with the outfit. DeGennaro last played with Kingfish in 2010.
Throughout his career, DeGennaro had also played alongside E Street sax player Clarence Clemons and Billy Squire, while Parliament Funkadelic guitarist Michael Hampton performed with the deceased six-stringer in his own Danny DeGennaro Band.
"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," reads a recent post from the surviving members of the group on their Facebook. "We are discussing tributing (sic) Dan in the manner he would have loved."
ABC reports that DeGennaro's death is being investigated as a homicide. The musician was discovered dying in his Levittown, PA area home by a tenant living in the basement of the building, who then ran across the street to find help. He is not considered a suspect in the case. DeGennaro was taken to St. Mary Medical Center, but was pronounced dead by the time he arrived.
"We have a suspicious death," Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler told PhillyBurbs.com. "It does involve a gunshot wound to the chest. We're obviously treating it as a suspicious death."
DeGennaro had joined Kingfish in 1979 and played alongside Grateful Dead member Bob Weir, who performed off and on with the outfit. DeGennaro last played with Kingfish in 2010.
Throughout his career, DeGennaro had also played alongside E Street sax player Clarence Clemons and Billy Squire, while Parliament Funkadelic guitarist Michael Hampton performed with the deceased six-stringer in his own Danny DeGennaro Band.
"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," reads a recent post from the surviving members of the group on their Facebook. "We are discussing tributing (sic) Dan in the manner he would have loved."
