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Darondo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Darondo
Birth nameWilliam Daron Pulliam
Also known asDouble D Dynamite D
Born(1946-10-05)October 5, 1946
Berkeley, California,U.S.
DiedJune 9, 2013(2013-06-09)(aged 66)
Sacramento, California,U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Labels

William Daron Pulliam(October 5, 1946 – June 9, 2013), who performed in the 1970s under the nameDarondo,was an American soul singer from theSan Francisco Bay Area.[3]

Life and career

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Darondo was born in 1946 inBerkeley,California.As a child, Darondo began enjoyingrhythm and bluesafter his mother purchased him a guitar.[4]

At the beginning of his career, Darondo metjazz pianistAl Tanner, who suggested the singer record something in the studio. That suggestion resulted in the single "I Want Your Love So Bad", which got Darondo noticed by Ray Dobard, the owner ofrecord labelMusic City.[5]Darondo collaborated with Tanner on songs at Dobard's studio, releasing three records from 1972 to 1974.[4][6]One particular single, "Didn't I", ending up selling 35,000 copies and was played extensively on local radio.[5]

During this period, Darondo got the opportunity to be theopening actforJames BrownatBimbo's 365 Clubin the early 1970s.[4]The singer also developed a unique sense of style, dressing in a white fur coat with snakeskin shoes[6]and driving a whiteRolls-Royce Silver Cloudwith a "DARONDO"vanity plate.[5][7]It was speculated that Darondo was apimp,though he denied this claim.[5][6]According to Darondo, his stage name originated as a compliment from a waitress who was fond of his generous tipping habits.[8]

Towards the late 1970s, Darondo stepped away from music, partially due to being engaged in a financial dispute with Dobard and Music City.[5][4]During this time, and lasting into the 1980s, Darondo hosted several shows on local cable television. These programs ranged fromDarondo's Penthouse After Dark,to children's showTapper the Rabbit.[6][9]However, realizing that he needed time away from other people to stop his self-admittedcocaine dependence,Darondo made the decision to leave for Europe.[5]After spending time inLondonandParis,he accepted a job playing guitar on acruise ship,which enabled him to visit other locales likeTrinidad.[5]Darondo eventually made his way back to the San Francisco Bay Area, becoming aphysical therapistand aspeech pathologist.[4][5]

Despite being out of the music industry for decades, Darondo received renewed attention in recent years thanks to Londondisc jockeyGilles Peterson.Peterson played his 1973 single, "Didn't I" on hisBBC Radio 1program,[10]and included the song on a 2005 compilation album calledGilles Peterson Digs America.[9][11]

Recordings of Darondo are available from Luv N Haight, an imprint label ofUbiquity Records.

In media

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In 2007, Darondo's song "Didn't I" was covered byJack Peñateon hisSpit at StarsEPand in 2008, featured on an episode ofBreaking Bad."Didn't I" was also featured in the 2010 filmSaint John of Las VegasIn 2009, the song "Legs" was featured in an episode of the American version ofLife on Mars.In 2010, "Didn't I" was featured in the filmsNight Catches UsandJack Goes Boating.It also appeared in the New Element video,Future Nature.In 2013, "Didn't I" was featured on aLate Night Talescompilation mixed byBonobo.In the same year, "Didn't I" was featured in the third installment of the Spanish Apartment trilogy,Chinese PuzzlestarringRomain Duris.It was used as an ending theme in an episode ofLovesick."Didn't I" was covered by the English electronic music duoHONNEon their 2015 EP "Coastal Love". "Didn't I" was also featured on Episode 1, Season 1 ofThe Blacklistand Season 1 of HBO'sThe Deuce.The song was featured in theHulushow,High Fidelity.In September 2020 "Didn't I" was covered by a female artist, the American soul/blues singer Regina Bonelli. In 2018 producer Harry Fraud sampled “Didn't I” for his single “The Count”. Which also features Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y. Most recently, in September 2021, "Didn't I" closed Episode 4 (Season 1) of the Scottish television dramaGuilt,produced by the BBC and airing onMasterpiece Mystery,as well as Episode 10, Season 2 ofFXXcomedy seriesDave (TV series).[12][13]

Personal life

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In the 1980s, Darondo met his wife, Prem, inFiji.[6]He has two daughters, Isis and Angel. They all live inSacramento, California

Darondo died of heart failure in 2013 at the age of 66.[14]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^Coulehan, Erin (June 13, 2013)."Darondo, San Francisco Soul Singer, Dead at 67".Rolling Stone.
  2. ^"Darondo and Disco Gold: Unearthed Funk and the Birth of Disco | reviews, news & interviews | the Arts Desk".
  3. ^Coulehan, Erin (2013-06-13)."Darondo, San Francisco Soul Singer, Dead at 67".Rolling Stone.Retrieved2018-11-27.
  4. ^abcdeMartins, Chris (2013-06-13)."Darondo, Cult-Adored San Francisco Soul Man, Dead at 67".Spin.Archivedfrom the original on 2015-07-03.Retrieved2020-04-27.
  5. ^abcdefghChennault, Sam (2007-12-12)."Seventies funk icon Darondo talks limos, ladies, and his Bay Area legacy".SF Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on 2020-01-31.Retrieved2020-04-27.
  6. ^abcdeHildebrand, Lee (2006-02-12)."Those in the know still love Darondo".SFGate.Archivedfrom the original on 2012-08-10.Retrieved2020-04-27.
  7. ^Hildebrand, Lee (2013-06-18)."1970s soul singer 'Darondo' Pulliam dies".SFGate.Retrieved2020-04-27.
  8. ^"WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT... DARONDO: The soul man who went AWOL".Elsewhere by Graham Reid.Retrieved2018-11-27.
  9. ^abFawcett, Thomas (2008-03-14)."Spotlight: Darondo".The Austin Chronicle.Archivedfrom the original on 2015-10-07.Retrieved2020-04-27.
  10. ^Dennis, Jon (2011-10-26)."Old music: Darondo – Didn't I".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved2020-04-27.
  11. ^Murray, Noel (2005-11-30)."Various Artists: Gilles Peterson Digs America: Brownswood U.S.A."AV Club.Archivedfrom the original on 2019-11-03.Retrieved2020-04-27.
  12. ^Masterpiece Mystery
  13. ^Dave
  14. ^"Soul icon Darondo dies at 67 - #AltSounds".January 18, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-01-18.RetrievedFebruary 12,2020.
  15. ^"Darondo | Album Discography".AllMusic.RetrievedFebruary 12,2020.
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