Daryl Dragon

Written By: Stomp

dragon2Daryl Frank Dragon (born August 27, 1942 (age 68), Los Angeles, California) is a keyboardist, known as Captain in the successful 1970s’ pop musical duo Captain & Tennille, with his wife, Toni Tennille.[1]

Dragon is the son of conductor, composer, and arranger, Carmen Dragon – his godfather was actor comedian Danny Thomas. He is the elder brother of Dennis Dragon, a member of the 1960s’ pop combo The Dragons (which included Doug Dragon) and the 1980s’ surf band, the Surf Punks. Dragon contributed vibes and melodica in the song “Wind ’n’ Sea” by the band Farm, a group put together by brothers Dennis and Doug for the soundtrack to The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun, a surf film directed by George Greenough. He also did session work with Dennis for the Go for It soundtrack.

In 1962, he became a member of the band Charles Wright & the Wright Sounds, a group which included future Watts Band member John Raynford. Dragon was also a keyboard player with The Beach Boys in the early 1970s, and got his nickname of “Captain” from the group’s lead singer Mike Love. He perpetuated this nickname and image by wearing a nautical captain’s hat.

Dragon also made significant contributions with keyboarding and musical scoring on the Beach Boys’ 23rd official album, their 1972 release Carl and the Passions – “So Tough”. Dragon’s orchestrations on the tracks “Make It Good” and “Cuddle Up” translated the melodic ideas that Dennis Wilson was looking for taken from wikipedia.