Danny & The Juniors

Danny and The Juniors (originally The Juvenairs) all attended John Bartram High School in Philadelphia and formed in 1955, practising their harmonies in a car initially, before graduating to street corners when they became more confident.

In 1957 the group began to target record producer John Madara, making it a ritual to sing under his window. Madara initially told the boys to get lost because they were keeping his children awake, but eventually gave in and arranged for them to meet his friend, Artie Wayne, owner of Singular Records.

Singer liked Do The Bop, changed the title to At The Hop on the advice of Dick Clark (of American Bandstand) and copied the piano introduction from Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.

After the group appeared on Bandstand, ABC-Paramount bought the master, and At The Hop became a #1 hit, which stayed at the top of the charts for seven weeks, with another 21 weeks in the Top 100. The record made it to the UK the following year, charting at #3.

At The Hop was a classic record that was followed by many imitations, but it was totally expressionless. Yet that synthetic, de-personalised feel was what made people buy this and many other ‘high school’ hits.

Danny Rapp killed himself on 5 April 1983.

Danny Rapp
Lead vocals
Dave White
Tenor vocals
Frank Maffei
Second Tenor vocals
Joe Terranova (Joe Terry)
Baritone vocals