Donnie Dacus

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Donnie Dacus
Birth nameJames O. Dacus
Born (1951-10-12) October 12, 1951 (age 72)
Pasadena, Texas, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)Acoustic and electric guitar, vocals

James O. "Donnie" Dacus (born October 12, 1951) is an American

rock bands Chicago and Badfinger
.

Early life

Dacus grew up in Cleburne, Texas. By the age of 14, he was teaching guitar in the local music store and playing with a local band he organized called The Chantels. Eventually, the band changed its name to The Shux and won the Battle of the Bands in Dallas, Texas. Dacus was subsequently managed by the Beard Brothers out of Fort Worth, Texas. Dacus received his big break when he was discovered by the band The Yellow Payges in 1968 during a concert with Buffalo Springfield and The Beach Boys.

Career

Dacus has contributed to a number of artists' albums that went

Multi-platinum as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Dacus’ background vocals may be heard on Billy Joel's "My Life".[1]

Dacus has worked and performed with a number of notable musicians, including

Crosby, Stills, & Nash,[2] Neil Young, Stephen Stills (solo),[2] John Lennon, Elvin Bishop, REO Speedwagon, Steve Cropper, Kiki Dee, Elton John, Chicago,[3] The Turtles, Roger McGuinn, Badfinger, Bobby Womack, Edoardo Bennato, Mac Davis, Veronique Sanson, Bonnie Bramlett, Deep Purple, Ambrosia, Orleans, Berry Gordy of Motown's MoWest label group Odyssey,[4] Rick James, and Spirit
.

Dacus has performed at major concert venues such as

Pine Knob Music Festival, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Tanglewood, A Week In Central Park, Dr. Pepper Stage, King Biscuit's Concert Hour, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, Midnight Special, The Olympia in Paris and Summerfest in Milwaukee, and Navy Pier at ChicagoFest, where more than 150,000 people attended. Dacus appeared on the front page of the Chicago Tribune and the cover of People magazine during his tenure with the group Chicago, who garnered the Hollywood Walk of Fame award
.

Dacus starred as Woof in the film version of

Academy Award winner Miloš Forman. Hair opened the Cannes Film Festival in 1979 and was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards
.

Dacus debuted with Chicago following the death of founding member

platinum. He also was in the lineup for Chicago 13
. After the 1979 tour in support of Chicago 13, he was released from the band without an announcement. It was the start of a period of personnel changes for Chicago.

In 1982, Dacus joined Badfinger with Tom Evans, Mike Gibbins, and Bob Jackson, plus Reed Kailing, who had been lead guitarist with the Grass Roots.

In 2016, Dacus returned to the spotlight after years away from the music industry by reuniting with several former bandmates. In January 2016, he appeared as a guest guitarist alongside former Chicago vocalist and bassist Peter Cetera at a concert at Magic City in Miami, Florida.[5] In April 2016, Dacus appeared as a special guest guitarist alongside former Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine and former Chicago percussionist Laudir de Oliveira, in a performance following Chicago's 2016 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[6]

References

  1. ISBN 9780313380174
    . Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  2. ^
    ISBN 9781618423276
    . Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  3. ISBN 9780470625736
    . Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  4. ISBN 9781311441546
    . Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Instagram". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  6. ^ "eventerbee.com". Retrieved 2016-05-14.[dead link]
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