Richard Clare "Rick" Danko (December 29, 1942 - December 10, 1999) was a Canadian musician and singer, best known as a member of The Band. The third of four sons, Danko was born in Green's Corners, Ontario, a farming community outside of the town of Simcoe, to a musical family of Ukrainian descent.
Growing up in front of the family radio (as his future bandmates also did), he was exposed to country and R&B music at an early age.
His musical heroes included Hank Williams and, later, Sam Cooke. He also drew inspiration from the music of his oldest brother, Maurice "Junior" Danko. Danko's younger brother, Terry, also became a musician.
After entering the first grade in school, he performed on a 4 string tenor banjo.