Daniel Eugene Solberg (professionally known as Danny Darren), age 85, of New London, went home to the Loving Embrace of our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Born on Nov. 19,1939 to Issac and Margaret Solberg in Kaukauna, he was the fifth child of 12 children born into a traditional country and bluegrass music-loving family.
At a young age, he formed his first band, Danny Darren and the Drifting Playboys (later changed to Danny Darren and the Drifting Cowboys). He appreciated fine musicianship and heartfelt singing. Some of his favorite artists were Hank Williams, Sr., Hank Snow, Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, Louvin Brothers and Merle Haggard.
He performed over 20 years in the Milwaukee area at different honky tonks and clubs. He recorded several 45s and some albums in Hubertus and Nashville and enjoyed visiting with famous legends such as Porter and Dolly. A thrill of a lifetime for Danny was when he was the ‘opening act’ for country legend, Hank Snow.
Danny has a brother in the business (Bobby Darren) and throughout the years, they’ve performed several shows and recorded a few CDs together. Music was a strong bond for both.
Danny was an avid supporter of the veterans starting at the age of 12, performing for several years at the Veterans Home in King and at veterans’ events in the Weyauwega area for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. In 2007, he recorded a CD entitled ‘Forgotten Memories’ featuring the single “Letter from Vietnam”.
In recent years, Danny continued playing at clubs and he also performed at area nursing and assisted living homes, with a favorite being Willow Lane in Appleton. He performed these shows with nephew, Jeffrey Solberg (who was his bass player and bandmate for 48 years) and his niece, Sheila Marie.
Danny was an area favorite for many years, performing at the Weyauwega Horse and Buggy Days.
Besides music, he had a great love for fishing, especially for Northerns. He enjoyed watching birds and wildlife in his yard. Danny loved all animals, especially dogs. He enjoyed movies from years ago including family shows and ‘The Godfather’. He jokingly referred to himself as ‘Danny Luciano’. He also loved to watch videos of family get-togethers and music shows from throughout the years of his and other favorite singers and musicians entertaining.
Danny was one of a kind…. One of the last of the Country/Bluegrass purists… staying true to his roots and he will long be missed.
He is survived by two daughters: Terrie (Jeff) Stokes and Karla Jepson; grandchildren: Westly Martin Stokes, Jordan Robert Stokes and Jasmyn Jepson, along with great-granddaughter Mia Stokes and great-grandson Theo Stokes; sisters and brother-in-law: Carol (Bob) Romportl and Marge Bigford; brothers and sisters-in-law: Richie (Margie), Ronnie (Ruth), Johnny, Raymond (Marlene), Vincent (Sandy) and Robert (Julie Stickney) Solberg and Debra Solberg; Godsons: Terrance Kilishek, Jason Solberg and Dan Solberg. Further survived by bandmates: nephew Bill Solberg, great-nephew Mickey O’Leary and niece Sheila Kilishek; numerous nieces and nephews and friends, including friend, Dan Davidson.
Preceded in death by: his loving companion of over 30 years, Ada (Rita) Shilts, his parents, Ike and Marge Solberg; brothers and sisters-in-law: Gerald (Gloria) and Donald (Josephine) Solberg; sister and brother-in-law: Elizabeth (Richard) Kilishek, sister-in-law Connie Solberg; nephews and niece-in-law: Jeffrey (Phyllis) Solberg, Brian Solberg, Jimmy Solberg, Kurt Solberg, and Klint Solberg; nieces: TeLisa Solberg, Crystal Solberg, Marilyn Solberg; great-niece Allison Heegeman and great-nephews: Joshua Solberg, Jevon Lemke, Evan Sell; along with several beloved past bandmates and friends.
The Funeral Mass for Danny will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Weyauwega with Fr. Kris Mekala officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Weyauwega. A visitation for Danny will be held at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.
Dahlke Funeral & Cremation Care of Weyauwega is serving the family. Friends may visit www.dahlkefh.com to share memories and condolences.
