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{{short description|American songwriter and singer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Short description|American songwriter and singer (born 1946)}}
{{Distinguish|William Danoff}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Bill Danoff
| name = Bill Danoff
| image =
| image = Bill Danoff.JPG
| image_size =
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Danoff as he appeared in a Starland Vocal Band promotional photo dated June 1977
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = William Thomas Danoff
| birth_name = William T. Danoff
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
⚫
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|05|07}}
⚫
| birth_place = [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|05|07}}
⚫
| origin =
⚫
| birth_place = [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]], [[Massachusetts]], USA
| origin =
| genre =
⚫
| occupation = [[Songwriter]], [[singing|singer]]
| genre =
| instrument =
⚫
| occupation = [[Songwriter]], [[singing|singer]]
| instrument =
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| label =
⚫
| associated_acts = [[Taffy Nivert]], [[Starland Vocal Band]], [[John Denver]]
| label =
⚫
| website = {{URL|billdanoff.com}}
⚫
| associated_acts = [[Taffy Nivert]], [[Starland Vocal Band]], [[John Denver]]
⚫
| website = {{URL|billdanoff.com}}
}}
}}


'''William Thomas Danoff''' (born May 7, 1946) is an [[United States|American]] [[songwriter]] and [[singing|singer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/644676-Bill-Danoff|title=Bill Danoff|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=28 January 2018}}</ref> He is known for “[[Afternoon Delight (song)|Afternoon Delight]]", which he wrote and performed as a member of the [[Starland Vocal Band]], and writing hits for [[John Denver]], such as "[[Take Me Home, Country Roads]]".<ref>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p68659/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography: Bill Danoff|last=Seida|first=Linda |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=20 April 2010}}</ref>
'''William Thomas Danoff''' (born May 7, 1946) is an American [[songwriter]] and singer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/644676-Bill-Danoff|title=Bill Danoff|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=28 January 2018}}</ref> He is known for "[[Afternoon Delight (song)|Afternoon Delight]]", which he wrote and performed as a member of the [[Starland Vocal Band]], and for writing multiple hits for [[John Denver]], including "[[Take Me Home, Country Roads]]".<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p68659/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography: Bill Danoff|last=Seida|first=Linda |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=20 April 2010}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Danoff is a 1964 graduate of [[Cathedral High School (Springfield, Massachusetts)|Cathedral High School]] in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], and of [[Georgetown University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billdanoff.com/biography.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040106053109/http://www.billdanoff.com/biography.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 6, 2004|title=About Bill|website=Billdanoff.com|accessdate=October 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Forgotten concerts: Starland Vocal Band at the Springfield Civic Center on Nov. 9, 1976|author=Kelly, Ray|url=https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2016/03/forgotten_concerts_starland_vo_1.html|date=March 10, 2016|access-date=March 1, 2024|work=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|Springfield Republican]]}}</ref>
Danoff is a graduate of Cathedral High School in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], and of [[Georgetown University]].{{cn|date=January 2019}}


==Career==
==Career==
===Starland Vocal Band===
===Starland Vocal Band===
On the strength of their track record as songwriters, Danoff and Nivert [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] several [[album]]s before forming the [[Starland Vocal Band]] with local musicians Jon Carroll and Margot Chapman. The group recorded "[[Afternoon Delight (song)|Afternoon Delight]]" which became a hit in July 1976, reaching #1 on the [[Hot 100]] on July 10th. The ''Starland Vocal Band Show'' replaced ''[[Rhoda (TV series)|Rhoda]]'' with a half-hour weekly series that same summer. Danoff and Nivert also worked with director [[Robert Altman]] and producer [[Jerry Weintraub]] on the [[film]] ''[[Nashville (film)|Nashville]]'', doing research with screenwriter [[Joan Tewkesbury]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Reger|first=Jeff|title=Take Me Home|url=http://georgetownvoice.com/2008/03/13/take-me-home/|accessdate=May 6, 2017|newspaper=[[The Georgetown Voice]]|date=March 13, 2008}}</ref>
On the strength of their track record as songwriters, Danoff and Taffy Nivert [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] several [[album]]s before forming the [[Starland Vocal Band]] with local musicians Jon Carroll and Margot Chapman. The group recorded "[[Afternoon Delight (song)|Afternoon Delight]]" which became a hit in July 1976, reaching #1 on the [[Hot 100]] on July 10. The ''Starland Vocal Band Show'' replaced ''[[Rhoda (TV series)|Rhoda]]'' as a half-hour weekly series that same summer. Danoff and Nivert also worked with director [[Robert Altman]] and producer [[Jerry Weintraub]] on the [[film]] ''[[Nashville (film)|Nashville]]'', doing research with screenwriter [[Joan Tewkesbury]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Reger|first=Jeff|title=Take Me Home|url=http://georgetownvoice.com/2008/03/13/take-me-home/|accessdate=May 6, 2017|newspaper=[[The Georgetown Voice]]|date=March 13, 2008}}</ref>


===Songwriting===
===Songwriting===
Danoff and his then-wife, [[Taffy Nivert]] wrote "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado" and "[[Take Me Home, Country Roads]]," both of which were [[hit record|hits]] for [[John Denver]]. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is an official state song of [[West Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/songs/wv_take_me_home_country_roads.htm|title=West Virginia State Song, "Take Me Home Country Roads" |website=Netstate.com|accessdate=28 January 2018}}</ref> Danoff has stated he had never been in West Virginia before co-writing the song, having written it in a house in the Georgetown neighborhood of [[Washington, D.C.]]. He had even briefly considered using "Massachusetts" rather than "West Virginia", as both four-syllable state names would have fit the song's meter. Denver recorded about a dozen Danoff compositions from 1972 through the end of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billdanoff.com/musicheritage.htm|title=Bill's Music Heritage|website=Billdanoff.com|accessdate=28 January 2018}}</ref>
Danoff and his then-wife [[Taffy Nivert]] wrote "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado" and "[[Take Me Home, Country Roads]]," both of which were [[hit record|hits]] for [[John Denver]]. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is an official state song of [[West Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/songs/wv_take_me_home_country_roads.htm|title=West Virginia State Song, "Take Me Home Country Roads" |website=Netstate.com|accessdate=28 January 2018}}</ref> Danoff has stated he had never been in West Virginia before co-writing the song, having written it in a house in the Georgetown neighborhood of [[Washington, D.C.]] He had even briefly considered using "Massachusetts" rather than "West Virginia", as both four-syllable state names would have fit the song's meter. Denver recorded about a dozen Danoff compositions from 1972 through the end of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billdanoff.com/musicheritage.htm|title=Bill's Music Heritage|website=Billdanoff.com|accessdate=28 January 2018|archive-date=22 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822024330/http://www.billdanoff.com/musicheritage.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref>


Danoff also worked with [[Emmylou Harris]] co-authoring "[[Boulder to Birmingham]]" (one of Harris' better-known compositions) with her. This track was recorded by [[The Walker Brothers]] in 1975 and [[The Hollies]] in 1976, and became a [[Top 40|Top 10]] hit in [[New Zealand]]. In 1982, Danoff and fellow Starland Vocal Band member Jon Carroll wrote "Who Knows How To Make Love Stay", a Top 40 Canadian hit for [[Doug and the Slugs]].
Danoff also worked with [[Emmylou Harris]], co-authoring "[[Boulder to Birmingham]]" (one of Harris' better-known compositions). This track was recorded by [[The Walker Brothers]] in 1975 and [[The Hollies]] in 1976, and became a [[Top 40|Top 10]] hit in [[New Zealand]]. In 1982, Danoff and fellow Starland Vocal Band member Jon Carroll wrote "Who Knows How To Make Love Stay", a Top 40 Canadian hit for [[Doug and the Slugs]].


Danoff taught a songwriters course in 2007 and a music industry seminar (with [[Walter Egan]]) in 2008 at his alma mater [[Georgetown University]].
Danoff taught a songwriters course in 2007 and a music industry seminar (with [[Walter Egan]]) in 2008 at his alma mater [[Georgetown University]].


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Danoff married [[Taffy Nivert]] in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20067749,00.html|title=For Bill and Taffy Danoff, Pop Music Fame Is More Than Just An Afternoon Delight|website=People.com|accessdate=28 January 2018}}</ref> Both appeared together in Starland Vocal Band.
Danoff married [[Taffy Nivert]] in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20067749,00.html|title=For Bill and Taffy Danoff, Pop Music Fame Is More Than Just An Afternoon Delight|website=People.com|accessdate=28 January 2018}}</ref> Both were part of the Starland Vocal Band; they divorced after the band’s breakup in 1981.


He has three children - two daughters and a son, [[Owen Danoff]], who auditioned for ''[[The Voice (U.S. TV series)|The Voice's]]'' [[The Voice (U.S. season 10)|season 10]].
Danoff has three children: two daughters and a son, [[Owen Danoff|Owen]], who auditioned for ''[[The Voice (U.S. TV series)|The Voice]]'' [[The Voice (U.S. season 10)|season 10]].


==Discography==
==Discography==
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* ''Aces'' (RCA, 1974)
* ''Aces'' (RCA, 1974)
Starland Vocal Band
Starland Vocal Band
* Five albums; details at [[Starland_Vocal_Band#Studio_albums|SVB page]]
* Five albums; details at [[Starland Vocal Band#Studio albums|SVB page]]
Bill Danoff
Bill Danoff
* ''Souvenir'' (Watch Your Head, 1990)
* ''Souvenir'' (Watch Your Head, 1990)
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* "Maybe" (stereo) / "Maybe" (mono) (RCA promo, 1974)
* "Maybe" (stereo) / "Maybe" (mono) (RCA promo, 1974)
Starland Vocal Band
Starland Vocal Band
* Ten singles; details at [[Starland_Vocal_Band#Singles|SVB page]]
* Ten singles; details at [[Starland Vocal Band#Singles|SVB page]]
;Appearances
;Appearances
* ''Capital Acoustics: Contemporary & Traditional Folk Music of the Washington DC Area'' (Institute of Musical Traditions, 1991), "Trying To Live In Time"
* ''Capital Acoustics: Contemporary & Traditional Folk Music of the Washington DC Area'' (Institute of Musical Traditions, 1991), "Trying To Live In Time"
Line 79: Line 79:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.billdanoff.com/ Official website]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20021121074831/http://www.billdanoff.com/ Official website]}}
*[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=bill danoff|chart=all}} Billboard biography]
*[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=bill danoff|chart=all}} Billboard biography]


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[[Category:American people of Bulgarian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Bulgarian descent]]
[[Category:Singers from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Singers from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:Starland Vocal Band members]]

Latest revision as of 17:42, 21 December 2024

Not to be confused with William Danoff.
Bill Danoff
Danoff as he appeared in a Starland Vocal Band promotional photo dated June 1977
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Thomas Danoff
Born (1946-05-07) May 7, 1946 (age 78)
Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation(s)Songwriter, singer
Websitebilldanoff.com

William Thomas Danoff (born May 7, 1946) is an American songwriter and singer.[1] He is known for "Afternoon Delight", which he wrote and performed as a member of the Starland Vocal Band, and for writing multiple hits for John Denver, including "Take Me Home, Country Roads".[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Danoff is a 1964 graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, and of Georgetown University.[3][4]

Career

[edit]

Starland Vocal Band

[edit]

On the strength of their track record as songwriters, Danoff and Taffy Nivert recorded several albums before forming the Starland Vocal Band with local musicians Jon Carroll and Margot Chapman. The group recorded "Afternoon Delight" which became a hit in July 1976, reaching #1 on the Hot 100 on July 10. The Starland Vocal Band Show replaced Rhoda as a half-hour weekly series that same summer. Danoff and Nivert also worked with director Robert Altman and producer Jerry Weintraub on the film Nashville, doing research with screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury.[5]

Songwriting

[edit]

Danoff and his then-wife Taffy Nivert wrote "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads," both of which were hits for John Denver. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is an official state song of West Virginia.[6] Danoff has stated he had never been in West Virginia before co-writing the song, having written it in a house in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. He had even briefly considered using "Massachusetts" rather than "West Virginia", as both four-syllable state names would have fit the song's meter. Denver recorded about a dozen Danoff compositions from 1972 through the end of his career.[7]

Danoff also worked with Emmylou Harris, co-authoring "Boulder to Birmingham" (one of Harris' better-known compositions). This track was recorded by The Walker Brothers in 1975 and The Hollies in 1976, and became a Top 10 hit in New Zealand. In 1982, Danoff and fellow Starland Vocal Band member Jon Carroll wrote "Who Knows How To Make Love Stay", a Top 40 Canadian hit for Doug and the Slugs.

Danoff taught a songwriters course in 2007 and a music industry seminar (with Walter Egan) in 2008 at his alma mater Georgetown University.

Personal life

[edit]

Danoff married Taffy Nivert in 1972.[8] Both were part of the Starland Vocal Band; they divorced after the band’s breakup in 1981.

Danoff has three children: two daughters and a son, Owen, who auditioned for The Voice season 10.

Discography

[edit]
Albums

Fat City

  • Reincarnation (ABC, 1969)
  • Welcome To Fat City (Paramount, 1971)

John Denver with Bill Danoff - Taffy Nivert

  • Victory Is Peace (Tomorrow Entertainment ER-7209-LP, 1972)[9]

Bill & Taffy

  • Pass It On (RCA, 1973)
  • Aces (RCA, 1974)

Starland Vocal Band

Bill Danoff

  • Souvenir (Watch Your Head, 1990)
  • I Guess He'd Rather Be In Colorado (Watch Your Head, 2002)
  • Blasted In The Basement (Oasis, 2007)
Singles

John Denver with Fat City

  • "Take Me Home, Country Roads" / "Poems, Prayers And Promises" (RCA, 1971)

Bill & Taffy

  • "Pass It On" / "Didn't I Try" (RCA UK, 1973)
  • "Maybe" / "How Lucky Can You Be" (RCA Germany, 1974)
  • "Maybe" (stereo) / "Maybe" (mono) (RCA promo, 1974)

Starland Vocal Band

Appearances
  • Capital Acoustics: Contemporary & Traditional Folk Music of the Washington DC Area (Institute of Musical Traditions, 1991), "Trying To Live In Time"
  • The 8th Annual World Folk Music Association Benefit Concert (World Folk Music Association, 1993), "Potter's Wheel"
  • Jon Carroll and Love Returns at the Barns at Wolf Trap (FestivaLink, 2007, Internet release), "Blasted In The Basement"

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bill Danoff". Discogs.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  2. ^ Seida, Linda. "Biography: Bill Danoff". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  3. ^ "About Bill". Billdanoff.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2004. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  4. ^ Kelly, Ray (March 10, 2016). "Forgotten concerts: Starland Vocal Band at the Springfield Civic Center on Nov. 9, 1976". Springfield Republican. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Reger, Jeff (March 13, 2008). "Take Me Home". The Georgetown Voice. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  6. ^ "West Virginia State Song, "Take Me Home Country Roads"". Netstate.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Bill's Music Heritage". Billdanoff.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  8. ^ "For Bill and Taffy Danoff, Pop Music Fame Is More Than Just An Afternoon Delight". People.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  9. ^ Theme music for 1972 Winter Olympics. Limited edition (200 copies) one-sided promo LP with six tracks.
[edit]
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