The Rascals

The Rascals

The Rascals are an American soul and rock group active from 1964 to 1972. They are originally known as The Young Rascals and later use that shorter name after dropping “Young” in 1968. The group’s core lineup consists of Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli, and their sound spans blue-eyed soul, pop rock, psychedelic pop and sunshine pop.

Formation and early years

The band starts in New Jersey, in the native state of Brigati and Danelli. Brigati sings, Cavaliere plays keyboards and sings, Cornish plays guitar and Danelli plays drums. Before forming the group, Brigati, Cavaliere and Cornish are members of Joey Dee and the Starliters. Eddie Brigati’s brother, David Brigati, helps arrange the vocal harmonies and sings background vocals on many recordings, which earns him the informal description of the Fifth Rascal. The group’s first public performance takes place at the Choo Choo Club in Garfield on 27 February 1965.

Atlantic years and hit singles

After signing to Atlantic Records, the band is renamed The Young Rascals because another group objects to the release of records under the name Rascals. Their first minor hit is “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore” in 1965, followed by the number one single “Good Lovin’” in 1966, originally recorded by The Olympics. Brigati and Cavaliere then become the main songwriting team, and the band follows with hits including “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long”, “You Better Run”, “Groovin’”, “It’s Wonderful”, “A Girl Like You”, “How Can I Be Sure?” and “A Beautiful Morning”. Gene Cornish also contributes songs of his own, including “I’m Gonna Love You” and “No Love To Give”.

Once Upon a Dream and later success

One of the group’s key albums is Once Upon a Dream in 1968. The album features multiple lead vocals from Brigati and Cavaliere, uses frequent instrumental passages, reaches number 9 on the album chart, and includes “It’s Wonderful” as its only charting single from the release. The record is also associated with songs such as “Rainy Day”, “My World” and the title track. In the same year, the compilation Time Peace: The Rascals’ Greatest Hits reaches number one on the album chart and becomes their best-selling album. Also in 1968, “People Got to Be Free” becomes their third U.S. number one single and their final Top Ten hit. The song is a plea for racial tolerance, and the band is known for refusing to tour on segregated bills.

Later lineup changes and final years

After 1968, later singles and albums are less successful, with only two top-40 releases in 1969 and none after that. Brigati leaves in 1970 and Cornish follows in 1971. Their last album with both as active members is Search & Nearness, which reaches number 198 in the United States. The album includes Brigati’s final performances as a member, with lead vocals on “You Don’t Know” and a cover of The Box Tops’ “The Letter”. Its only single, “Glory, Glory”, reaches number 58 in the U.S. and includes backing vocals by The Sweet Inspirations. Cavaliere then moves toward more jazz and gospel-influenced writing, and he and Danelli release two further albums on Columbia Records as The Rascals: Peaceful World and The Island of Real. These records use other musicians and singers and are less commercially successful. The group disbands in 1972.

After the breakup

After the band ends, Cavaliere releases several solo albums during the 1970s. Brigati and his brother David release Lost in the Wilderness in 1976. Cornish and Danelli work together in other groups, including Bulldog and Fotomaker. In 1982, Cavaliere and Danelli join Steve Van Zandt in Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul for the group’s first two albums.