The Young Rascals
This expressive act, one of America's finest pop/soul ensembles, made its debut in a New Jersey club, the Choo Choo in February 1965. Felix Cavaliere (b. 29 November 1943, Pelham, New York, USA; organ/vocals), Eddie Brigati (b. 22 October 1946, New York City, USA; vocals/percussion) and Dino Danelli (b. 23 July 1945, New York City, USA; drums) were each established musicians on the city's R&B circuit, serving time in several popular attractions, including Joey Dee And The Starlighters. It was here the trio encountered Gene Cornish (b. 14 May 1946, Ottawa, Canada; vocals/guitar), who became the fourth member of a breakaway group, initially dubbed Felix And The Escorts, but later known as the Young Rascals. The quartet enjoyed a minor hit with I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore before securing a US number 1 with the energetic Good Lovin'. Despite a somewhat encumbering early image—knickerbockers and choir-boy shirts— the group's soulful performances endeared them to critics and peers, earning them a 'group's group' sobriquet. Now established as one of the East Coast's most influential attractions, spawning a host of imitators from the Vagrants to Vanilla Fudge, the Young Rascals secured their biggest hit with Groovin'. This melancholic performance became an international hit, signalling a lighter, more introspective approach, and although Brigati was featured on the haunting How Can I Be Sure, a US Top 5 entry, Cavaliere gradually became the group's focal point. In 1968 the group dropped its 'Young' prefix and enjoyed a third US number 1 with People Got To Be Free. An announcement that every Rascals' live appearance must also include a black act enforced the group's commitment to civil rights, but effectively banned them from southern states. The quartet later began exploring jazz-based compositions, and although remaining respected, lost much of their commercial momentum. Brigati and Cornish left the group in 1971, and although newcomers Buzzy Feiten (guitar), Ann Sutton (vocals) and Robert Popwell (drums) contributed to final albums, PEACEFUL WORLD and ISLAND OF REAL, the Rascals were clearly losing momentum and broke up the following year. Felix Cavaliere then enjoyed a moderate solo career while Danelli and Cornish formed Bulldog and Fotomaker. The three musicians were reunited in 1988 for an extensive US tour.