The Rascals

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The Rascals (originally promoted and known as The Young Rascals) were an American blue-eyed soul and rock music group of the 1960s. Felix Cavaliere (keyboard, vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar), Dino Danelli (drums) and Eddie Brigati (vocals) formed the band in New York City. Three-quarters of the group - Felix, Gene, and Eddie - had previously been members of Joey Dee and The Starliters. Eddie's brother, David Brigati, another former Starliter, arranged the vocal harmonies and sang backgrounds on many of the group's recordings, informally earning the designation as the Fifth Rascal.

Their first minor hit was "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" (1965), followed by the #1 single "Good Lovin'" (1966, originally by the Olympics). Soon, the band began to mature as songwriters and released other hit songs written themselves, including "Groovin'" (recorded in 1967, it's one of their best-known hits), "It's Wonderful", "How Can I Be Sure" and "A Beautiful Morning" (1968).

Their best-remembered song was "People Got to Be Free" (1968), a passionate plea for racial tolerance; unusually for their time, the Rascals refused to tour on unintegrated bills. After "People Got to Be Free", the Rascals never regained their former fame or had as large a hit.

In 1970 Eddie Brigati left the group, followed by Cornish in 1971. They finally disbanded in 1972.

Cavaliere released two more albums as "The Rascals", Peaceful World and The Island Of Real, using other musicians and singers.

In 1982, Cavaliere and Danelli joined Steve Van Zandt in Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Van Zandt's project between his stints with the E Street Band.

The (Young) Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Discography

• The Young Rascals (1966) US: #15
• Collections (1967) US: #14
• Groovin' (1967) US: #5
• Once Upon a Dream (1968) US: #9
• Time Peace: Greatest Hits (1968) US: #1
• Freedom Suite (1969) US: #17
• See (1970) US: #45
• Search and Nearness (1971) US: #198
• Peaceful World (1971) US: #122
• The Island of Real (1972) US: #180

• "I Ain't Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore" (1966) US: #52
• "Good Lovin'" (1966) US: #1
• "You Better Run" (1966) US: #20
• "Come On Up" (1966) US: #43
• "I've Been Lonely Too Long" (1967) US: #16
• "Groovin'" (1967) US: #1 UK: #8
• "A Girl Like You" (1967) US: #10 UK: #37
• "How Can I Be Sure?" (1967) US: #4
• "It's Wonderful" (1968) US: #20
• "A Beautiful Morning" (1968) US: #3
• "People Got to Be Free" (1968) US: #1
• "A Ray of Hope" (1969) US: #24
• "Heaven" (1969) US: #39
• "See" (1969) US: #27
• "Carry Me Back" (1969) US: #26
• "Hold On" (1970) US: #51
• "Glory Glory" (1970) US: #58
• "Love Me" (1971) US: #95

 

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