Des Rocs climbs the charts with new single

Danny Rocco, a Rockville Centre native, went from cutting his teeth at local bars and nightclubs on Long Island to sharing a stage with such established rock groups as The Rolling Stones, Muse, The Cult and Fall Out Boy to name just a few.

Performing under the pseudonym, Des Rocs, the South Side grad is living out his boyhood fantasies by making big waves in the music industry. His latest single, “I Am The Lightning,” recently debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard mainstream rock charts and No. 8 on iHeartRadio’s “Top Active Rock Songs” charts.

“I was super excited,” Rocco told the Herald in a recent interview. “I've had songs in the past that have kind of poked their heads up on the charts, like in the 20s and 30s.”

He first broke into the music scene in 2015 as part of the pop duo, Secret Weapons, with longtime friend and songwriting partner, Gerard Lange. Their single, “Something New,” would climb to the No. 4 spot on Spotify’s Global Viral Charts.

Lange, who is also a Rockville Centre native, worked closely with Rocco until he contracted Lymes Disease in 2017. Due to his deteriorating health, Lange decided to take time off from performing to focus more on production, which allowed Rocco to shift his focus on his solo career.

Rocco went on to release his first single as a solo act, “This Is Our Life,” in 2020, which landed him a spot at No. 23 on the Billboard mainstream rock charts.

Eventually, he would reunite with Lange, who was now more focused on handling production, and with his help released his debut album, “A Real Good Person in a Real Bad Place,” in September 2021.

Des Rocs went on to sign a deal with Sumerian Records in April 2023. His first single, “Never Ending Moment,” peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard rock charts.

Having made a big impression with his latest track, Rocco said he is hoping that “I Am The Lightning,” will continue to trend its way up into the Top 5.

“To be up there in the Top 5 with Metallica, Green Day, Blink-182 and Linkin Park,” he said, “It’s like a David and Goliath story.”

His second full-length album, “Dream Machine,” went on to garner critical acclaim among music critics when it was released back in August.

“The whole goal behind the ‘Dream Machine’ album was to create a truly larger than life rock and roll experience and to stand on the shoulders of giants, but to also modernize the energy of classic rock music that I grew up with,” Rocco said. “Musically, I am tremendously inspired by Queen, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and bands of that ilk. But I am also really inspired by people, places and life experiences that are baked into the album as well.”

While he was out on his second North American tour in 2019, he got some incredibly surprising news. Following a performance in Los Angeles, he was approached by the tour manager for The Rolling Stones, and shortly thereafter, received an offer from tour promoters with AEG Presents, inviting him to open for Mick, Keith and Ronnie.

“It was a real pinch me sort of experience to get that call,” Rocco said. “The Rolling Stones pride themselves on picking up-and-coming rock artists and giving them a platform. They did that for Prince. They did that for Guns and Roses. So to be part of that legacy is a true honor.”

Rocco is wrapping up the last leg of his nationwide tour this summer, with upcoming performances at The Rockaway Hotel in New York on July 12 and the Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Aug. 2, after which he will be traveling overseas in the fall for the start of his European tour.

WATCH: "I AM THE LIGHTNING" BY DES ROCS

For more information about Des Rocs, including videos, tour dates, tickets, merchandise and more, visit DesRocs.com.