William Joel "Taz" DiGregorio was a longtime member and keyboardist for the Charlie Daniels Band.
10 Facts About Joel DiGregorio
1.
2.
Joel DiGregorio was born and lived in Southbridge, Massachusetts, until 1962 when he went on the road.
3.
Joel DiGregorio 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.
4.
Joel DiGregorio learned the Fats Domino song "Blue Monday" at the age of sixteen.
5.
Joel DiGregorio fulfilled his goal of becoming a professional musician, initiating his career with his first band, the group Paul Chaplain and his Emeralds, best known for their minor hit "Shortnin' Bread".
6.
Joel DiGregorio was on the album at the age of seventeen and he didn't know a lot about life and music, but he knew 8 chords and he recorded the song, Shortnin' Bread, and it became a hit.
7.
Joel DiGregorio sang and played bass pedals on the organ.
8.
Joel DiGregorio had his hair down past his shoulders and once, his hair was sticking up and Jesse was laughing and saying that he looked like a Tasmanian devil.
9.
Joel DiGregorio was killed in a single car accident on Interstate 40 in Cheatham County, Tennessee, on October 12,2011.
10.
Joel DiGregorio was driving to meet the band's tour bus, which was headed to a concert set for Wednesday night in Cumming, Georgia.