In the music industry, though, no one knew exactly what they were. And their music definitely felt like the mountains. The Daredevils’ original members, including the band’s current core of guitarist John Dillon, drummer Steve Cash, and bassist Michael Supe Granda, were all from Springfield, Missouri. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973 two years later, “Jackie Blue” hit No. “If You Wanna Get To Heaven” made it to No.

In fact, the Daredevils were “discovered” at Kansas City’s legendary Cowtown Ballroom by Glyn Johns, who produced and/or engineered the Eagles, the Rolling Stones and the Band. “The early days in KC for me were probably the most fun because it was all eye opening, you know? Everything was huge and a huge surprise for me at every turn,” says percussionist Ruell Chappell, who was in the band from 1976 to 1980 and rejoined in 2008.ĭuring its peak years, few bands could draw a bigger crowd in Kansas City. Now, at an age when most bands are long past retirement, they’re still walking the rock-strewn path that got them here in the first place.

In this part of the country, everyone knew the Daredevils. More rustic songs like “ Standing on A Rock” and “ Chicken Train” were cult favorites, perfect for singalongs around bonfires at the lake. When you drove around town, “ If You Wanna Get To Heaven” and “Jackie Blue” blasted from car stereos tuned to radio stations playing what we now refer to as classic rock.

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