Joel DiGregorio

Joel 'Taz' DiGregorio (January 8, 1944 - October 12, 2011) was a longtime member and keyboardist for the Charlie Daniels Band.

Born William Joel DiGregorio, he was self-taught on the keyboards, practicing from tunes by Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, and Little Richard following his attendance at a Ray Charles concert. He fulfilled his goal of becoming a professional musician, initiating his career with the group Paul Chaplan and the Emeralds, best known for their minor hit "Shortnin' Bread" (1959). By the early 1960s, the group disbanded, leaving DiGregorio (who was seventeen) to find other gigs which included playing in a lounge band in Florida. In 1964, he met and joined Charlie Daniels who at that time was in a band called the Jaguars. A few years later, DiGregorio was drafted and served with the US Army. Upon his return home, he resumed his career with Daniels and following some ensemble changes The Charlie Daniels Band launched what was to become a commercially successful body of work, beginning with their self-titled debut album in 1970. In 1979, their signature hit "The Devil Went Down To Georgia," which achieved a number 3 placing on the US Pop Charts, was co-written by DiGregorio. In addition to his work with Daniels, he recorded the solo projects Midnight in Savannah (2008) and Shake Rag (2008).

DiGregorio was killed in a car accident on October 12, 2011.[1] He was 67.