Danny Boy et ses Pénitents is a French rock'n'roll, twist and beat band of the 1960s whose singer was Danny Boy, real name Claude Piron, born on 25 January 1936 in Saint-Pierre-de-Cormeilles (Eure). The four musicians (Penitents) who accompanied Danny Boy were wearing a balaclava.
Claude Piron can be considered one of the first French rock singers. He began his solo career in 1958 with a successful Kalin Twins cover When, renamed Viens. He recorded his first record under his real name, before taking in 1960 the pseudonym of Danny Boy and then formed Danny Boy et ses Pénitents, composed of Bruno (guitar), Ralai (guitar), Marc (bass guitar) and Jose (drums).
Their first hits: Un collier de tes bras, Un coup au cœur, C'est encore une souris, Je ne veux plus être un dragueur, revealed Piron's tone of voice particularly well hit and plain, which distinguishes it from other singers. Other notable hits: C'est tout comme, Danny Boy, Croque la pomme….
In 1962, Danny Boy et ses Pénitents toured for eight months with circus Pinder. In 1967, they also toured with Vince Taylor.
Danny Boy is also an actor. He played in a French-Italian film in 1964: La Difficulté d'être infidèle (The difficulty of being unfaithful), directed by Bernard Toublanc-Michel and nominated to the 14th Berlin International Film Festival for the "Golden Bear".
Danny Boy made his return on stage in 2004 together with the Vinyls.