Graham Dunne

Graham Dunne in the 2023 series

**Graham Dunne** is a character in the *Daisy Jones & The Six* television series adaptation. He is Billy Dunne's younger brother and the lead guitarist with the The Six.

## Character overview

"Billy’s little brother whose desire to form a band ignites the spark that takes them all from small town Pittsburgh boys to the top of the charts."

## Plot summary

Graham sits for his interview for a documentary about his former band Daisy Jones & The Six, who famously broke up mid-tour. Former bandmate Warren Rojas chuckles on his boat, recalling that it was Graham's idea to start a band.

In Pittsburgh 1968, Graham is sulking in his room after a breakup leaves him broken-hearted. His older brother Billy comes up to see him after an annoyed comment by their mother. He tells “Peaches” that she's just a girl and there will be others. He knows because Graham is 14 years old and can play the guitar. He's going to have plenty of girlfriends one day. During gym class, Graham brings up starting a band with his three best friends, Warren Rojas, Eddie Roundtree, and Chuck Loving. Warren thinks Graham's just trying to get his girlfriend back, but Graham insists that's not it. He just wants to do something he loves with his brother and three best friends. The other boys stop running at the mention of Billy Dunne. Graham just smiles and runs off.

Billy watches the band rehearse and stops them after a few moments. He corrects each of them, though Graham suggests he shows them how it's done. Billy adjusts the microphone and takes his spot at the front of the band.

Billy laughs at the memory, as he never agreed to be in their band. He said he would listen, and maybe give them some pointers. Graham, however, smirks that he knew his brother. Eddie recalls that by the second practice, he was basically in the band. By the third, it was his. Warren reminisces that they did 10 proms, and 20 graduation parties, and he doesn't even know how many sweet sixteens. Graham calls the band a distraction, an escape, that none of them thought anything more of it - not even Billy. But everything changed one night. He remembered being four when his dad left so he never really had a father, but it was different for Billy - he worshipped the guy. Graham can still see the look on his face. That's the moment it became real.

Two years after forming the band, in 1970, the Dunne Brothers band takes the stage at a small outdoor party. They start performing Susie Q, a song they take with them across their performances, which includes a wedding one night. Mid-song, Billy sees an older man dancing with a younger woman and freezes. Graham follows his eye line to the couple who stumble off. Billy leaves the stage and Graham chases after him. Billy, upset, remarks the man is supposed to be in Georgia. Graham bets he never even left. The rest of the band joins them, with Eddie asking what's wrong with them. Warren is happy over the performance and brushes off Graham's remark about the guy in there. He calls him a creepster with the combover and a girl half his age. He's Billy and Graham's father.

Billy wants to say something, but Graham doesn't think it's a good idea. Billy plows past and walks inside, standing inches from the man, asking if he knows who he is. The man wonders if he should. If he should, then of course he does. He'd recognize that guitar anywhere. Graham pulls Billy away but Billy grabs the guitar and jams it at the man, telling him to take it. He shouts for him to fucking take it. The man has no use for it. He gave it to Billy as something to remember him by. Billy smashes the bottom of it on the ground. He calls him an asshole and leaves. Graham looks at the man and then punches him across the face. Eddie and Warren pull Graham away. Once in the parking lot, Eddie asks if Billy is okay. He calls them into a huddle. They're all his brothers and he loves them. They work hard, stick together, and they're gonna be the biggest fucking band in the world one day. They all trust him and are family, pulling into a group hug.

For the next year, all they did was practice. Graham never doubted it for a second, but not everyone felt the same.

One day in 1971, Graham, Billy, Eddie, and Warren pull up to Chuck's house where they practiced every day. The garage doors are down and Chuck sits on the steps. He tells the band that he got into college, but the guys didn't know he applied. Warren asks if this was before or after he spent all his money on the van. Chuck knows, but they have a great dental program. He guesses he's going to be a dentist now. Billy asks him not to do this when things are starting to happen. They're opening for The Winters on Thursday and that's just the beginning. This is a real opportunity for Chuck. He knows this is Billy's dream, but just because he wants something to happen doesn't mean it will. Billy really does think there's a future with the band. Chuck thinks he's out of his fucking mind and goes inside. Eddie wants to cancel the gig, but Billy refuses, even though they don't have their bassist. After a moment, Billy tells Eddie to switch over to bass. He refuses at first then asks for how long. Billy thanks him and pats his chest on the way into the van. Eddie throws his cigarette on the ground.

The band and Camila arrive at their gig for The Winters. Camila clings to Eddie's arm happily then hugs Billy, remarking that it's unbelievable. Graham stares at The Winters keyboardist, Karen and Warren laughs at him to keep dreaming. The bands pass at the steps and the Dunne Brothers compliment The Winters. Karen is the last to come down, and Graham compliments her. After introductions, she asks if he knows a good place to eat around there. He asks if she's going to stick around as it'll be a good show. She thinks maybe next time and he suggests the best burger place in town. The Dunne brothers take the stage and Karen sits down next to a man with a reserved seat - Rod Reyes.

Rod sits outside with the band after their gig and suggests they write their own songs. Billy has written some but they aren't good enough yet. He wrote one called “Never More” about the Catonsville Nine. Rod vehemently tells him no, groaning about him being Bob Dylan. Enough with the political shit. No one needs reminding that the world is a mess. They want to feel good again, and feel hope and suggest he write a love song. He tells Graham to cool it with the solos. Nobody cares about his technical guitar skills. They want to sing and dance. He suggests they get out of Pittsburgh if they want to sign with a label and work with producers such as Teddy Price, which piques Billy's interest. Rod knows everyone and they're all in LA now. Not London or New York, but California. The group talks outside the gig and is all in. Warren better gas up the van and laughs if she'll make it. Camila walks over to ask what they're talking about.

It's pouring down rain as the Dunne Brothers prepare to leave for California. Eddie secures the luggage on the roof when Camila walks up holding an umbrella and a cooler. She asks if there's room for one more and Warren cheers over her presence. She gets into the back of the van and Billy asks if she's sure about this, about coming. She nods and he kisses her. On the road, Graham brings up how the keyboardist Karen brought something to the mix, and Camila agrees with him. As the band drives, they laugh, sing, and smoke cigarettes all the way down to Los Angeles.

## Appearances

Graham Dunne appears in the following episodes:

## References

1. ↑ *Deadline:* ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’: Nabiyah Be, Will Harrison, Suki Waterhouse & Josh Whitehouse Join Cast of Amazon Series. Denise Petski. February 13, 2020.
2. ↑ "Track 1: Come and Get It"