Daryl was born in Kings Lynn England, the son of John C. & Betty R. Hargrove. As a teenager growing up in North Carolina, Daryl performed with many local bands playing drums, guitar and bass guitar. Daryl was a versatile player who could be found in bands ranging in style from rock to jazz.

During the 1980's Daryl worked at Twin Oaks Studio in Wilmington N.C. as both session player and studio engineer. While there Daryl had the opportunity to work with and meet many interesting people such as Meatloaf, Barbara Eden, Dennis Hopper, Andy Rooney, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Byrd, Corky Lang, James "JJ" Walker, Edward Winter (Col. Flagg from MASH) and Walter Cronkite to name a few. Daryl was also featured on recordings by Randy Drew and Chicago based Jazz Pianist David Elias. As both a recording and performing musician Daryl routinely performed with The Duke Ladd Trio and Margaret Shaw & Friends.