Dragon had been in poor health for more than 20 years struggling with symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Dragon and Toni Tennille made headlines five years ago this month when the couple divorced after nearly 40 years of marriage. The motivation for the divorce was so Dragon could deplete his assets in order to be eligible for Medicaid coverage. Indeed the couple effectively remained together until death did them part.
Their romance developed while both played keyboards for The Beach Boys. Dragon earned the nickname "Captain" from Mike Love because he sported a Captain's hat onstage. The two decided to strike out on their own, developed a following and were soon signed to A&M Records. Their debut single, the Neil Sedaka penned "Love Will Keep Us Together" was number one on the Billboard charts for two months in 1975 and would win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Captain and Tennille would score four more top five hits in the next two years - "The Way I Want To Touch You" (penned by Tennille), "Lonely Night (Angel Face)", "Shop Around" and "Muskrat Love". This would lead to a variety show on ABC. Despite good ratings, the duo wanted to return to recording and touring and the show left the air in March 1977.
Captain and Tennille would have one last number one hit in early 1980 with "Do That to Me One More Time". By this time, they were with the disco label Casablanca Records. But this success would be short-lived. Dragon would spend the remainder of the 1980's and early 1990's touring with Tennille until the Parkinson's like symptoms rendered him unable to play keyboard.
Despite largely being absent from the public eye for more than two decades, with their memorable chemistry on stage and with "Love Will Keep Us Together" remains a staple of adult contemporary and MOR music, Daryl Dragon's contribution to rock 'n roll will endure well beyond his lifetime. R.I.P.
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