Vinny Manniello was rock drummer who, as a teenager, played in Bruce Springsteen’s first band of significance, the Castiles.



Vinny Manneillo joined the Castiles in October 1965, replacing previous sticksman Bart Haynes.



The Castiles (initially called The Sierras) were responsible for Springsteen’s first recording sessions on May 18, 1966.



The resulting single was Baby I, backed with That’s What You Got. There are believed to be only four legitimate copies of that record in existence today.



The Castiles built a local following by playing charity events and high school graduation dances including Springsteen’s own in 1967. They also got booked for series of shows at New York City’s legendary Cafe Wha? before the band broke up in August of 1968.



After the Castiles, Vinny started drumming with the band Sunny Jim.







Vinny Manniello was 64 when he passed away peacefully at a local New Jersey hospital on December 19, 2011.