View source for The Rascals

{{Short description|American rock/blue-eyed soul band}}
{{Hatnote group|{{Distinguish|The Rascals (English band)}}{{Other uses|Rascal (disambiguation)}}}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = The Rascals
| image             = The Rascals 1969.JPG
| caption           = The band in 1969; standing in back: [[Dino Danelli]]; sitting in front (L-R): [[Felix Cavaliere]], [[Eddie Brigati]] and [[Gene Cornish]]
| background        = group_or_band
| alias             = The Young Rascals (1965–1968)
| origin            = [[Garfield, New Jersey]], U.S.
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Rock music|Rock]]|[[blue-eyed soul]]<ref name=pc52>{{Gilliland|https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19834/m1/ |Show 52 - The Soul Reformation: Phase three, soul music at the summit. [Part 8&#93; : UNT Digital Library}}</ref>|[[Pop music|pop]]}}
| years_active      = {{hlist|1965–1972|1988|1997|2010|2012–2013|2022–present}}
| label             = {{hlist|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]}}
| associated_acts   = {{hlist|[[Joey Dee and the Starliters]]|Brigati|Bulldog|[[Fotomaker]]}}
| website           = {{URL|therascalsarchives.com}}
| current_members   = [[Felix Cavaliere]]<br>[[Gene Cornish]]
| past_members      = [[Eddie Brigati]]<br>[[Dino Danelli]]<br>[[David Brigati]]<br>[[Robert Popwell]]<br/>[[Danny Weis]]<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE CURRENT OR PAST MEMBERS WITHOUT CONSENSUS -->
}}

'''The Rascals''' (originally known as '''the Young Rascals''') are an American [[Rock music|rock]] band, formed in [[Garfield, New Jersey]], southeast of [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] in 1965.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor-first=Colin|editor-last=Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|pages=1285/6}}</ref> The original lineup featured lead vocalist and keyboardist [[Felix Cavaliere]], vocalist and percussionist [[Eddie Brigati]], drummer [[Dino Danelli]], and guitarist and vocalist [[Gene Cornish]]. Cavaliere and Brigati wrote the majority of the Rascals' original material.

Between 1966 and 1968 the band gained popularity with a blend of [[Rock music|rock]], [[Pop music|pop]] and [[soul music]]. Nine of their singles charted in the top 20 of the ''Billboard'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]], including the No. 1s "[[Good Lovin']]" (1966), "[[Groovin']]" (1967), and "[[People Got to Be Free]]" (1968); as well as big radio hits like the much-covered "[[How Can I Be Sure?]]" (No. 4 1967) and "[[A Beautiful Morning]]" (No. 3 1968). Another critical favorite "A Girl Like You" (No. 10 1967), became an early example of the [[blue-eyed soul]] genre. Additionally, four of the band's LPs received [[RIAA certification|gold]] certifications in the US, including the top 10 albums ''[[Groovin' (The Young Rascals album)|Groovin']]'' (1967) and ''[[Once Upon a Dream (The Rascals album)|Once Upon a Dream]]'' (1968). The group continued into the early 1970s after the departures of Brigati and Cornish, with Cavaliere leading the Rascals in a more [[Album-oriented rock|album-oriented]] direction with strong [[jazz]] and [[funk]] influences.

The Rascals were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1997<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/the-young-rascals |title=The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website |website=Rockhall.com |access-date=2011-11-02}}</ref> and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2010, and the classic lineup also reunited in 2012 for a series of shows in [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[New Jersey]]. The reunion continued in 2013 with shows on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. Cavaliere and Cornish began performing again as the Rascals in 2022 without Brigati and Danelli,<ref name="Gene Cornish Rock Cellar interview 2022" /> the latter of whom died the same year.

==History==
=== Origins ===
[[File:The young rascals 1966.jpg|thumb|The Young Rascals featured in February 12, 1966 issue of [[KRLA Beat]]. Left to right: Cornish, Danelli, Brigati, Cavaliere]]
[[Felix Cavaliere]] was already trained in [[Classical music|classical]] piano by his mother when he founded a [[doo-wop]] group, the Escorts (not [[The Escorts (New Jersey vocal group)|the R&B group with the same name]]), while enrolled at [[Syracuse University]] in [[Syracuse, New York]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Rascals |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/rascals|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Encyclopedia.com}}</ref> In 1964, Cavaliere took a job with Joey Dee's backing band, [[Joey Dee and the Starliters|the Starliters]] of "[[Peppermint Twist]]" fame, where he met Starliter [[David Brigati]]. When the group played the Choo Choo Club in [[Garfield, New Jersey|Garfield]], Cavaliere met Brigati's younger brother, [[Eddie Brigati|Eddie]], who wanted to follow in his brother's footsteps. Cavaliere, in an interview with journalist Don Paulson, spoke about when he first met the younger Brigati:

{{Blockquote|text=I saw a little kid walk into the place. He didn't look old enough to go out of his house alone. He used to walk into the [Choo Choo] club and no matter who was singing, get on the stage, and bury them with his voice. We made an impression on each other. He used to come around every once in a while, and I loved to play behind his singing. I told him that someday we were going to get together.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=About The Rascals |url= https://www.therascalsarchives.com/history/essay.htm|access-date=2021-03-29| website= billyamato.com | publisher= }}</ref>}}

[[Music of Canada|Canadian]] guitarist [[Gene Cornish]] left his group, The Unbeatables, for which he acted as frontman, to join the Starliters, in early 1965.<ref name=":0" /> After meeting Cornish, Cavaliere's interest in forming a band of his own led him to convince both Cornish and (Eddie) Brigati to depart from Dee's backing band to start a new one with an old acquaintance of his, [[jazz]] drummer [[Dino Danelli]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2017-05-12|title=Felix Cavaliere Interview - Writing The Rascals Classic Hits |url= http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/felix-cavaliere-rascals-2017.htm|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Songwriter Universe |language=en-US}}</ref> The group came up with the name "Rascals" while at the Choo Choo Club. Prior to the Rascals name they were using another group name "Them". Because there was another group, which included Van Morrison, using the name "[[Them (band)|Them]]" in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] they dropped that name and came up with The Rascals name through the help of TV comedy star [[Soupy Sales]] whom they met through manager Billy (Amato) Smith. The Rascals were Sales' back up band touring local colleges in the early months of 1965.

Initially, the Rascals began rehearsing at Cavaliere's house in [[Pelham Manor, New York]] east of [[Yonkers, New York|Yonkers]] and then the Choo Choo Club, mostly because it was close to Brigati's home and they needed a showcase.<ref name=":0" /> Later in May 1965, under the direction of their management Billy (Amato) Smith, they were hired to do a summer engagement at the debut of The Barge, a floating club by Dune Road in [[Westhampton Beach, New York]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.27east.com/arts/felix-cavaliere-and-his-rascals-perform-in-westhampton-beach-august-28-1338711/|title=Felix Cavaliere And His Rascals Perform In Westhampton Beach August 28|newspaper=27 East|date=2016-08-23|access-date=2021-06-16}}</ref> They settled at the club in eastern Long Island<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://backstageauctions.blogspot.com/2010/08/rascals-summer-of-65.html|title=All Access: The Rascals: Summer of '65|website=Backstageauctions.blogspot.com|access-date=2021-06-16}}</ref> and there developed their mixed [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]-[[soul music|soul]] sound based on Cavaliere's organ and soulful vocals, mostly filled with traditional R&B covers. The quartet did not have any official [[Bassist|bass player]], because of Brigati's inability to play musical instruments, other than percussion (even when the band bought him a [[Fender Mustang Bass]] in 1967) and the Rascals' wish of staying in the [[formula]] of [[Band (rock and pop)|four members]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cohen|first=Elliot Stephen|title=The Rascals' Gene Cornish | website= VintageGuitar.com |date=26 April 2019 |url= https://www.vintageguitar.com/32697/the-rascals-gene-cornish/|access-date=2021-03-29|language=en-US}}</ref> Cavaliere's [[Pedal keyboard|organ pedals]] (and later, session bassists like [[Chuck Rainey]], in studio recordings) filled the bass parts.

At the Barge club in August 1965, manager Billy (Amato) Smith, who discovered them at the beginning of their music career as the Rascals, introduced the group to [[Sid Bernstein (impresario)|Sid Bernstein]], an impresario known at the time for helping to promote the [[British Invasion]], bringing famous UK bands like [[the Beatles]] and [[the Rolling Stones]] to [[United States|America]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=The Rascals |url=http://www.waybackattack.com/rascals.html |access-date=2021-03-29 |website=Waybackattack.com}}</ref> Promoting the band, Bernstein and Smith came up with the publicity stunt of posting the phrase "The Rascals are coming!" at the [[Shea Stadium]]'s scoreboard, at the same time that [[The Beatles|the Fab Four]] were doing the opening of their [[The Beatles' 1965 USA Tour|1965 North American tour]]. Beatles manager [[Brian Epstein]] ordered the post to be removed before his band arrived on the stage.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2009-03-13|title=Sid Bernstein Facts| website= elviswade.com| url=http://elviswade.com/quotable/faqs.asp|access-date= 2021-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313042749/http://elviswade.com/quotable/faqs.asp|archive-date=2009-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mills|first=Fred| title= Getting into the Groovin' Again: The Rascals |url=https://blurtonline.com/feature/getting-into-the-groovin-again-the-rascals/|access-date=2021-04-09|website=Blurt Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=A lot of people who hadn't seen pictures of them thought they [the Rascals] were a R&B group. I sensed something big about them with the thanks to Billy (Amato) Smith.|author=Sid Bernstein}}

This event helped the group to get a $15,000 contract with [[Atlantic Records]], a label which mainly had black artists, and they became the first white-only act to be signed at Atlantic.<ref name=":0" /> Bernstein managed them for the next five years with Billy (Amato) Smith as their publicist and promotion advisor.<ref name=":3" /> The contract also stipulated that the band could self-produce their records. But problems arose when they discovered that another group, [[Borrah Minnevitch|Borrah Minnevitch's]] and [[Johnny Puleo|Johnny Puleo's]] 'Harmonica Rascals', objected to their release of records under the name 'The Rascals'. To avoid conflict, Bernstein decided to rename the group 'The Young Rascals', possibly because all the members were under 25.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-07-27|title=August 17, 1968: Rascals 'People Got to Be Free' Hits No. 1|url=https://bestclassicbands.com/rascals-biggest-hits-8-17-155/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Best Classic Bands|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2012-12-06|title=Soul Serenade: The Young Rascals, "Groovin'"|url=https://popdose.com/soul-serenade-the-young-rascals-groovin/|access-date=2021-04-09|website=Popdose.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Commercial success and songwriting development ===
The line-up of Brigati on lead vocals, Cavaliere on organ, Cornish on guitar and Danelli on drums was present in the Young Rascals' debut single, the [[Pam Sawyer]]/[[Lori Burton]] "[[I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore]]", which was performed in their first television performance on the program ''[[Hullabaloo (TV series)|Hullabaloo]]'' on February 24, 1966. But the track reached only No. 23 in [[Canada]] and did not reach the Top 40 of the [[Billboard charts|US chart]]. After the modest success of "Eat Out My Heart Anymore", Cavaliere assumed the lead vocals on their subsequent records, starting with its follow-up "[[Good Lovin']]", originally recorded by [[Limmie Snell|Lemme B. Good]] and [[The Olympics (band)|The Olympics]] in 1965, with the same arrangement and different lyrics from the original. Ironically, David Brigati had been the lead singer of the Starliters, but never had any hits; once Joey Dee had a hit with "The Peppermint Twist" he took over the lead vocals. History repeated itself when Felix replaced Eddie as the Rascals' lead singer. They performed "Good Lovin'" on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]''.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Young Rascals 'Good Lovin'{{'}} on The Ed Sullivan Show| date=2 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUNJbVFW5Pw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/OUNJbVFW5Pw| publisher= YouTube | archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status= live |language= en|access-date=2021-03-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The Young Rascals version became their first Canada/USA No. 1.<ref name="Larkin" /><ref name=":2" /> Shortly after, their [[The Young Rascals (album)|eponymous debut album]] was released, mostly composed of [[garage rock]] renditions of [[folk rock]] ("[[Just a Little (The Beau Brummels song)|Just a Little]]" and "[[Like a Rolling Stone]]"), and [[Soul music|soul]] tunes ("[[Mustang Sally (song)|Mustang Sally]]" and "[[In the Midnight Hour]]"), with only one original, the Cavaliere/Cornish penned "Do You Feel It". ''The Young Rascals'' reached No. 15 on the [[Billboard 200|Billboard Top LPs chart]] and No. 10 in ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]''. The album was certified [[Music recording certification|Gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA.]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-11-13| title= Cratedigger: The Young Rascals, "The Young Rascals"|url=https://popdose.com/cratedigger-the-young-rascals-the-young-rascals/|access-date=2021-04-09 |website=Popdose.com |publisher= |language=en-US}}</ref>

From there the songwriting partnership between Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati began to flourish. Cavaliere wrote the music and themes, and Brigati, the verses with the former's help.<ref name=":1" /> Their second album, [[Collections (The Young Rascals album)|''Collections'']], had four Cavaliere/Brigati songs and two Cornish originals in its eleven tracks. Follow-ups to their number one record, "[[You Better Run]]"–later covered by [[Pat Benatar]] in 1980 – and "Come On Up", did not do as well as their predecessor (peaking at No. 20 and No. 43, respectively).{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The band made their [[United Kingdom|UK]] debut on December{{nbsp}}1, 1966, at [[The Scotch of St. James]] club in London. [[Paul McCartney]] attended the concert and was so excited by the band that he also attended their show the following night, held at the Blaises Club.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Miles |first1=Barry |author1-link=Barry Miles |title=The Beatles Diary Volume 1: The Beatles Years |date=2001 |publisher=[[Omnibus Press]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-7119-8308-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=trRB-lo4qR8C |page=248}}</ref>

In the meantime, Cavaliere began dating high school student  Adrienne Bechurri. Their relationship inspired him to write several songs in 1967, including Top 20 "[[I've Been Lonely Too Long]]" and Top 10's "[[How Can I Be Sure]]", and "[[Groovin']]", their second No. 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wordtrope.com/blog/2013/07/07/a-groovin-reunion-with-a-rascal-and-a-hero-boston-globe-july-10-2003/|title=A Groovin' Reunion With A Rascal - And A Hero| first= Joyce |last= Pellino Crane|work=The Boston Globe|date=2003-06-10|access-date=2015-05-15}}</ref> "Groovin'", having its laid-back sound and an [[Afro-Cuban music|Afro-Cuban]] groove, found some resistance with Atlantic's head [[Jerry Wexler]];<ref name=":4" /> "I've Been Lonely Too Long" and the [[jazz]]-influenced "A Girl Like You" talked about the advantages of a relationship against loneliness, but the  introspective "How Can I Be Sure", with Brigati's lead vocals, expressed the doubts about love, like Cavaliere's conflicting feelings about Bechurri.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-12|title=The backstory of making the 'Groovin'{{'}} album by The Young Rascals| url= https://vinyldialogues.com/VinylDialoguesBlog/the-backstory-of-making-the-groovin-album-by-the-young-rascals/|access-date=2021-03-30|website=The Vinyl Dialogues Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> All these songs were included at the ''[[Groovin' (The Young Rascals album)|Groovin'<nowiki/>]]'' album, which had the majority of the tracks penned by Cavaliere/Brigati. Bruce Eder, writing for [[AllMusic]], rates ''[[Groovin' (The Young Rascals album)|Groovin'<nowiki/>]]'' as the Rascals' best, noting the record's soulful core and innovative use of jazz and Latin instrumental arrangements.<ref>{{Citation|title=Groovin' - The Young Rascals {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits | website= AllMusic |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/groovin-mw0000202187|language=en|access-date=2021-04-09}}</ref>

''Groovin''' marked the first time that the Young Rascals used outside musicians, bringing some important collaborators like [[Chuck Rainey]], [[Hubert Laws]], and David Brigati to augment their sound. Particularly, David Brigati also helped his brother's band in arranging [[Vocal harmony|vocal harmonies]] and [[Backing vocalist|singing background]] on many Rascals records. The band, especially Cavaliere, wanted to depart from their "singles act" label to be more like an "albums act", something that would become common to more artists at the late 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Rascals {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-rascals-mn0000493122/biography|access-date=2021-03-30|website=AllMusic|language=en}}</ref> The album [[Once Upon a Dream (The Rascals album)|''Once Upon a Dream'']], released at 1968, is an example of this change, because it was the first Rascals album designed from conception as an album, rather than as a vehicle to package their singles (eight of ''Groovin<nowiki>''</nowiki>''s eleven songs had been released as single A or B sides, most in advance of the album). ''Once Upon a Dream'' also incorporated [[Music of India|Indian music]] in its sound, adding Eastern instruments like [[sitar]], [[Tambouras|tamboura]], and [[tabla]]. David Brigati made a special appearance on the album, singing lead on the title track. The psychedelic "[[It's Wonderful]]" was released before the album, but its different style, in comparison with their earlier singles, hindered its sales and the single only reached the No. 20. The album's song "My Hawaii" became a top of the charts hit in Hawaii.

The band billed themselves as the Young Rascals for the last time with the single release of "It's Wonderful"; from that point on they were known as simply 'The Rascals'.<ref name="Larkin" /> Their first official single release as "the Rascals" was the optimistic 1968's "[[A Beautiful Morning]]", which reached No. 3. Internationally, the band was exceptionally popular in Canada where "A Girl Like You", "How Can I Be Sure?" and "A Beautiful Morning" all reached No. 1. But they struggled in the UK, where they only twice reached the top 75, with "Groovin'" (No. 8) and "A Girl Like You" (No. 35).

''[[Time Peace: The Rascals' Greatest Hits]]'', released in mid-1968, topped the [[Billboard 200|U.S. album chart]] and became the group's best-selling album. In the same year, "[[People Got to Be Free]]", a horn-punctuated plea for racial tolerance (the band was known for refusing to tour on [[racial segregation|segregated]] bills)<ref>Egan, Sean, ed. (2007). ''Defining Moments in Music'', Cassell, {{ISBN|1-84403-606-5}}, p. 360.</ref> just months after the [[assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.]] and of [[Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy|Robert F. Kennedy]], became their third and final U.S. No. 1 single,<ref name="Larkin" /> and their sixth and final Canadian No. 1. It was also their final U.S. Top Ten hit, although they remained a Canadian top 10 act for the next few years.

In 1969, the Rascals released the [[double album]] ''[[Freedom Suite (The Rascals album)|Freedom Suite]]''. An album with one [[LP record|LP]] dedicated to "conventional" songs and another to [[instrumental]]s, it should have been the band's definitive change to produce more ambitious albums, according to [[Richie Unterberger]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Liner Notes for CD Reissue of the Rascals' 'Once Upon a Dream'|url=http://www.richieunterberger.com/rascals5.html|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Richieunterberger.com}}</ref> But ''Freedom Suite'' was their last Top 40 album, peaking at No. 17. Brigati's songwriting contributions were diminished on this album, in favor of Cavaliere's solo compositions, as well his vocals, singing lead only on two songs on ''Freedom Suite''. Brigati's participation declined even more in later albums.

=== Commercial waning and demise (1969–1972) ===
"A Ray of Hope", "Heaven", "See", and "Carry Me Back" followed and were all modest U.S. hits for the band during late 1968 and 1969; they entered the top 40, but none rose higher than No. 24. In [[Canada]], however, the Rascals were still major stars; all these songs went top ten, completing a run of 11 straight Canadian top ten hits for the Rascals from 1967 to 1969. December 1969's "Hold On" broke the run of top 40 US singles for the Rascals, stalling at No. 51, as well as the run of Canadian top tens, peaking at No. 22.

Brigati left the group in 1970, followed by Cornish in 1971.<ref name="Larkin" /> Their last Rascals album was ''[[Search and Nearness]]'' (No. 198 U.S.), which featured Brigati's lead vocals on the Cornish-penned "You Don't Know", a cover of [[the Box Tops]]' hit "[[The Letter (Box Tops song)|The Letter]]", and drummer Danelli's composition "Fortunes". The only single release from the album to chart was the spiritually themed "Glory, Glory" (No. 58 U.S., No. 40 Canada), with backing vocals by [[The Sweet Inspirations]]. ''Search and Nearness'' was the Rascals' last album for Atlantic Records, with Cavaliere and Danelli taking the band to [[Columbia Records]] in mid-1971.

Cavaliere shifted towards more jazz- and gospel-influenced writing for the Rascals' next two albums, the double disc ''[[Peaceful World (album)|Peaceful World]]'' (U.S. No. 122) and ''[[The Island of Real|The Island Of Real]]'' (U.S. No. 180), using [[Robert Popwell]] and [[Buzzy Feiten]] on bass and guitar respectively, and new singers Annie Sutton and Molly Holt.<ref name="Larkin" /> These albums did not sell as well as their earlier work, with none of their associated singles reaching higher than No. 95 on the U.S. chart. Towards the end of 1970 [[Danny Weis]] joined as a replacement for Feiten on guitar. Feiten then again replaced Weis before the group disbanded.

==Post break-up==
Cavaliere released several solo albums during the 1970s.<ref name="Larkin" /> Brigati, with his brother David, released ''Lost in the Wilderness'' in 1976. Cornish and Danelli worked together in Bulldog, who released two albums—one for [[MCA Records]] in 1973 with the minor hit single "No", the second for [[Buddah Records|Buddah]] in '74—and [[Fotomaker]], who released three albums on Atlantic in 1978–79.<ref name="Larkin" /> In 1982, Danelli joined [[Steve Van Zandt]] in [[Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul]] for the group's first two albums.

After appearing at [[Atlantic Records 40th anniversary]] celebration on May 14, 1988, the Rascals reunited with Cavaliere, Cornish, and Danelli for a brief reunion tour in 1988.<ref name="Larkin" /> The reunion group featured an expanded lineup including Mel Owens (in Brigati's place) on vocals and percussion, Steve Mackey on bass, Ed Mattey on guitar, Dena Iverson and Cindy McCabe on backup vocals, and a horn section from [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] to beef up the sound. The reunion did not last beyond the end of the year. After that, Cavaliere returned to his solo career, and in the 1990s there were two factions touring: The New Rascals (featuring Cornish and Danelli) and Cavaliere, who sometimes called his grouping Felix Cavaliere's Rascals. The New Rascals lasted only a short time but toured again in 2006 with two new members, Bill Pascali (formerly of [[Vanilla Fudge]]) on vocals and keyboards and [[Charlie Souza]] on bass and vocals. The New Rascals released a concert DVD, shot at club Centro in New Jersey on Route 35.

The Rascals were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] on May 6, 1997. [[Steve Van Zandt]] gave the induction speech and presented the award. All four original members appeared together to perform "Good Lovin'", "Groovin'", "How Can I Be Sure?", and "People Got to Be Free".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zSCLqSrbsw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207233153/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zSCLqSrbsw| archive-date=2012-12-07 |url-status=dead|title=Felix Cavaliere's 2009 interview on The Strange Dave Show Part 1 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2010-04-11 |access-date=2011-11-02}}</ref> In early 2009, Eddie Brigati put together a project of young musicians who played all the classics. He performed with the group along with his brother David. Called The Boys From The Music House, the band consisted of Anthony Duke Claus, a cousin of Eddie's on lead vocals and tambourine; Joseph Pomarico on lead guitar, harmonica and background vocals; Adam Sullivan on piano, organ, and background vocals; and Matt Gazzano on drums.

== Reunions and Danelli's death (2012–present) ==
On April 24, 2010, all four members of The Rascals reunited for the Kristen Ann Carr benefit, which was held at [[Tribeca Grill]] in [[Manhattan]]; [[Bruce Springsteen]] and [[Stevie Van Zandt]] joined the band for a closing "Good Lovin'".

[[Image:The Rascals - PNC 2013 - Groovin 1.jpg|thumb|238px|The Rascals performed "Groovin'" during one of their ''Once Upon a Dream'' shows in 2013. The large video screen helped accentuate song themes and showed interviews with members and re-enactments of the group's history. Left to right, Gene Cornish, Felix Cavaliere, Dino Danelli, Eddie Brigati, and various supporting players and singers]]

The group's original lineup reunited in 2012 for their first public performances since 1988 (other than one-off reunions in 1997 and 2010) with ''The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream'', a combination concert/theatrical event that was produced and directed by [[Steven Van Zandt]]<ref name="Playbill 2012-2013">{{cite web |last1=Gioia |first1=Michael |last2=Jones |first2=Kenneth |title=The Rascals Reunite On Broadway in Once Upon a Dream, Beginning April 15; Steven Van Zandt Directs |url=https://playbill.com/article/the-rascals-reunite-on-broadway-in-once-upon-a-dream-beginning-april-15-steven-van-zandt-directs-com-204355 |website=Playbill.com |access-date=February 2, 2024 |date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> and [[Maureen Van Zandt]] with lighting/projection by Marc Brickman. In addition to the concert experience, the history of The Rascals, and the history of the 1960s through their music, the production features a combination of interviews with the four Rascals, filmed scenes of actors enacting key moments in the band's history, news footage, and archival footage of the band. The show originally ran for six performances in December 2012 at the [[Capitol Theatre (Port Chester, New York)|Capitol Theatre]] in [[Port Chester, New York]].

The show had fifteen performances from April 15 to May 5, 2013, at the [[Richard Rodgers Theatre]] on Broadway in New York City.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1549728/the-rascals-reunite-for-broadway-dates |title=The Rascals Reunite for Broadway Dates |agency=Associated Press |magazine=Billboard |date=February 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gioia |first1=Michael |last2=Jones |first2=Kenneth |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/176942-Broadway-Engagement-of-The-Rascals-Once-Upon-a-Dream-Directed-by-Steven-Van-Zandt-Opens-April-16 |title=Broadway Engagement of ''The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream'', Directed by Steven Van Zandt, Opens April 16 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419052153/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/176942-Broadway-Engagement-of-The-Rascals-Once-Upon-a-Dream-Directed-by-Steven-Van-Zandt-Opens-April-16 |archivedate=2013-04-19  |website=Playbill.com |date=April 16, 2013}}</ref> Near the end of the show's Broadway run, it was announced that ''Once Upon a Dream'' would be taken on the road, with performances scheduled in various cities on the East coast of North America for a six-month tour during May–November 2013.<ref>{{cite web |website=Playbill.com |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/177499-The-Rascals-Once-Upon-a-Dream-to-Embark-on-North-American-Tour-Dates-and-Cities-Announced |title=The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream to Embark on North American Tour; Dates and Cities Announced |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606110850/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/177499-The-Rascals-Once-Upon-a-Dream-to-Embark-on-North-American-Tour-Dates-and-Cities-Announced |archivedate=2013-06-06 |access-date=}}</ref> After its national tour, the show was expected to return to Broadway for a second three-week limited-run from December 2013 through January 2014, at the [[Marquis Theatre]], but it was canceled.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |last2=Gioia |first2=Michael |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/185035-Broadway-Return-of-The-Rascals-Once-Upon-a-Dream-Canceled?tsrc=hph |title=Broadway Return of ''The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream'' Canceled |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203021339/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/185035-Broadway-Return-of-The-Rascals-Once-Upon-a-Dream-Canceled?tsrc=hph |archivedate=2013-12-03 |website=Playbill.com |date=December 2, 2013 |access-date=}}</ref> Later in 2014, Cavaliere returned to performing as "Felix Cavaliere's Rascals" with [[The Lovin' Spoonful]] as their opening act. Both Cavaliere's Rascals and The Lovin' Spoonful served as opening acts for a concert by [[The Beach Boys]] in [[Jones Beach State Park|Jones Beach]] on Long Island on July 5, 2014.<ref name="Forbes Jones Beach 2014">{{cite web |last1=Homonoff |first1=Howard |title=Back from the Beach (Boys): The Endless Summer of Nostalgia Media, and How It Gets Bigger |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardhomonoff/2014/07/08/back-from-the-beach-boys-the-endless-summer-of-nostalgia-media-and-how-it-gets-bigger/?sh=10d57cd769de |work=Forbes |access-date=February 2, 2024 |date=July 8, 2014}}</ref> In 2018, Cornish collapsed and suffered [[cardiac arrest]] while performing in [[Billings, Montana]]. After recovering in 2020, he published the memoir ''Good Lovin': My Life as a Rascal''.<ref name="Gene Cornish Rock Cellar interview 2022">{{cite web |last1=Mastropolo |first1=Frank |last2=Cornish |first2=Gene |title=Gene Cornish Talks 'My Life as a Rascal,' Reuniting with Felix Cavaliere & More |url=https://rockcellarmagazine.com/gene-cornish-interview-the-rascals-tour-dates-memoir/ |website=RockCellarMagazine.com |publisher=Rock Cellar Magazine |access-date=February 2, 2024 |date=October 13, 2022}}</ref>

In October 2022, in an interview with Rock Cellar Magazine, Cornish announced that he would be reuniting with Cavaliere later that month (and into 2023) for the "Time Peace Tour" (though Cornish was unable to perform at the tour's first show).<ref name="Gene Cornish Rock Cellar interview 2022" />  Interviewer Frank Mastropolo expressed surprise that the two were reuniting again, to which Cornish commented that the group had never expected to reunite in 2012 and 2013 (after the original lineup first split in 1972).

Cornish also revealed that he and Cavaliere wanted the ''Once Upon a Dream'' reunion to continue in late 2013 and into 2014. Corninsh said that Danelli "had a lot of demands that we couldn't meet" and "was coming up with excuses," while "Eddie [Brigati] didn't want to do it any more"<ref name="Gene Cornish Rock Cellar interview 2022" />  With regards to their upcoming reunion, Cornish said that "Dino [Danelli] is incapable of playing drums anymore [and] is in a long-term facility... Eddie turned us down again."<ref name="Gene Cornish Rock Cellar interview 2022" /> Danelli died from [[coronary artery disease]] and [[congestive heart failure]] on December 15, 2022, at a rehabilitation facility in Manhattan, after a period of declining health.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dino Danelli, Whose Drums Drove the Rascals, Is Dead at 78 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/17/arts/music/dino-danelli-dead.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last=Risen |first=Clay |date=December 17, 2022 |access-date=December 17, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He was 78.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sabrina |last=Barr |title=The Rascals musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dino Danelli dies aged 78 |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/16/dino-danelli-dead-the-rascals-drummer-dies-aged-78-17948338/ |newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |access-date=16 December 2022 |date=16 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="rsobit1">{{cite news |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Dino Danelli, Founding Drummer of "Good Lovin" Rockers the Rascals, Dead at 78 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dino-danelli-drummer-the-rascals-dead-1234648652/ |access-date=16 December 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dino Danelli obituary |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/dino-danelli-obituary-pxktn6bx2 |access-date=10 January 2023 |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=10 January 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 2023 and 2024, Cavaliere and Cornish have continued to perform together as the Rascals (sometimes credited as "the Rascals featuring Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish").<ref name="Cavaliere and Cornish reunion 2023">{{cite web |last1=Best Classic Bands Staff. |title=Rascals' Cavaliere and Cornish Set 'Time Peace Tour' |url=https://bestclassicbands.com/rascals-2023-tour-time-peace-cavaliere-cornish-3-18-23/ |website=BestClassicBands.com |date=18 March 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2024}}</ref><ref name="2023 tour NJ review">{{cite web |last1=DeSisto |first1=Rich |title=Review: The Rascals Featuring Felix Cavaliere & Gene Cornish at State Theatre New Jersey |url=https://wmtram.com/2023/04/10/the-rascals-review/ |website=WMTRAM.com |publisher=WMTR-AM: Classic Oldies |access-date=February 2, 2024 |date=April 10, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Flower Power Cruise 2024">{{cite web |title=The Rascals Keep Groovin' |url=https://flowerpowercruise.com/news/the-rascals-keep-groovin |website=FlowerPowerCruise.com |publisher=Flower Power Cruise |access-date=February 2, 2024 |date=July 12, 2023}}</ref> Their 2024 dates were billed as the "People Got To Be Free Tour 2024;" at least some 2024 dates again featured the Lovin' Spoonful as an opening act, similarly to Cavaliere's tour with them in 2014.<ref name="2024 tour">{{cite web |title=Rascals & The Lovin' Spoonful |url=https://www.stadiumtheatre.com/events/rascals-the-lovin-spoonful/690 |website=StadiumTheatre.com |publisher=Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre & Conservatory |access-date=February 2, 2024}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on May 6, 1997. [[Steve Van Zandt]] gave the induction speech and presented the award. All four original members appeared together to perform "Good Lovin'", "Groovin'", "How Can I Be Sure?", and "People Got to Be Free".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zSCLqSrbsw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207233153/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zSCLqSrbsw |archive-date=2012-12-07 |url-status=dead|title=Felix Cavaliere's 2009 interview on The Strange Dave Show Part 1 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2010-04-11 |access-date=2011-11-02}}</ref> In 2005,{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} the Rascals were inducted into the [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]].<ref name="Flower Power Cruise 2024" /> In August 2007, the Rascals' catalog of [[Atlantic Records]] albums was re-released by Atlantic Records affiliate [[Rhino Records]].

On June 18, 2009, [[Eddie Brigati]] and [[Felix Cavaliere]] were inducted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]].<ref name="Flower Power Cruise 2024" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024}} The ceremony was held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, where a brief reunion took place with the founder of The Rascals, Billy (Amato) Smith. "Groovin'" has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.<ref name="Flower Power Cruise 2024" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024}}

== Members ==

=== Current members ===
* [[Felix Cavaliere]] – lead and backing vocals, keyboards (1965–1972, 1988, 1997, 2010, 2012–2013, 2022–present)
* [[Gene Cornish]] – backing and lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, occasional bass guitar (1965–1971, 1988, 1997, 2010, 2012–2013, 2022–present)

=== Former original members ===
* [[Eddie Brigati]] – backing and lead vocals, percussion (1965–1970, 1997, 2010, 2012–2013)
* [[Dino Danelli]] – drums (1965–1972, 1988, 1997, 2010, 2012–2013; died 2022)

=== Unofficial members and later additions ===
* [[David Brigati]] – backing and occasional lead vocals (1965–1970)
* Annie Sutton – vocals (1970–1972)<ref name="Larkin" />
* Molly Holt – vocals (1970–1972)<ref name="Larkin" />
* [[Robert Popwell]] – bass guitar (1970–1972; died 2017)<ref name="Larkin" />
*[[Buzz Feiten|Buzzy Feiten]] – guitar (1970,<ref name="Larkin" /> 1971–1972)
* [[Danny Weis]] – guitar (1970–1971)

=== Touring members ===
* Mel Owens – vocals, percussion (1988)
* Steve Mackey – bass (1988)
* Ed Mattey – guitar (1988)
* Dena Iverson – backing vocals (1988)
* Cindy McCabe – backing vocals (1988)
* unspecified horn section – horns (1988)

{{div col}}

=== The New Rascals ===
* Gene Cornish – vocals, guitar, harmonica (1990s, 2006)
* Dino Danelli – drums (1990s, 2006)
* Bill Pascali – vocals, keyboards (2006)
* [[Charlie Souza]] – vocals, bass (2006)

=== Felix Cavaliere's Rascals ===
* Felix Cavaliere – vocals, keyboards (1990s-2012, 2013–2022)
* Scott Spray - bass (1987-1989)
* Michael Mugrage - guitar, vocals (1987-1988)
* Joey Melotti - keyboards (1987-1988)
* Jay Stollman - vocals (1987-1988)
* Sarah Brooks - vocals (1987-1988)
* Jimmy Vivino - guitar, vocals (1988-1989)

=== The Boys from the Music House ===
* Eddie Brigati – vocals (2009)
* David Brigati – vocals (2009)
* Anthony Duke Claus – lead vocals, tambourine (2009)
* Joseph Pomarico – backing vocals, lead guitar, harmonica (2009)
* Adam Sullivan – backing vocals, piano, organ (2009)
* Matt Gazzano – drums (2009)

=== Groovin’ with Gene Cornish of The Rascals ===
* Gene Cornish - guitar, vocals (2017-2018)
* Jay Stollman - lead vocals, keyboards (2017-2018)
* Steve Gaspar - keyboards, vocals (2017-2018)
* Scott Spray - bass (2017-2018)
* Vito Luizzi - drums (2017-2018)
* Joseph Pomerico - guitar, vocals (2017-2018)

{{div col end}}

=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize  = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea   = left:110 bottom:90 top:10 right:0
Alignbars  = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1965 till:31/12/2025
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend     = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1965
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1965

Colors = 
 id:word       value:skyblue           legend:Name
 id:leadvocals value:red               legend:Lead_vocals
 id:vocals     value:pink              legend:Vocals
 id:guitar     value:green             legend:Guitar
 id:bass       value:blue              legend:Bass
 id:keys       value:purple            legend:Keyboards
 id:drums      value:orange            legend:Drums
 id:percussion value:claret            legend:Percussion
 id:unofficial value:yellow            legend:Unofficial_member
 id:studio     value:black             legend:Studio_albums
 id:bs         value:gray(0.1)      
 id:hh         value:gray(0.3)

PlotData = 
 align:center textcolor:white fontsize:7 width:15 shift:(2,-5)

 width:12
  color:word
  bar:The&nbsp;Young&nbsp;Rascals from:start      till:01/04/1968
  bar:The&nbsp;Rascals            from:01/04/1968 till:end

  color:leadvocals
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:start      till:01/06/1972
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:06/05/1997 till:06/05/1997
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:24/04/2010 till:24/04/2010
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:01/01/2012 till:05/05/2013
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:01/10/2022 till:end
  bar:Eddie&nbsp;Brigati          from:start      till:01/01/1970
  bar:Eddie&nbsp;Brigati          from:06/05/1997 till:06/05/1997
  bar:Eddie&nbsp;Brigati          from:24/04/2010 till:24/04/2010
  bar:Eddie&nbsp;Brigati          from:01/01/2012 till:05/05/2013

  color:vocals
  bar:David&nbsp;Brigati          from:start      till:01/01/1970 width:4
  bar:Annie&nbsp;Sutton           from:01/01/1970 till:01/06/1972 width:4
  bar:Molly&nbsp;Holt             from:01/01/1970 till:01/06/1972 width:4
  bar:Mel&nbsp;Owens              from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988 width:4
  bar:Dena&nbsp;Iverson           from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988 width:4
  bar:Cindy&nbsp;McCabe           from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988 width:4

  color:guitar
  bar:Gene&nbsp;Cornish           from:start      till:01/04/1971
  bar:Gene&nbsp;Cornish           from:start      till:01/04/1971 color:vocals width:4
  bar:Gene&nbsp;Cornish           from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988
  bar:Gene&nbsp;Cornish           from:06/05/1997 till:06/05/1997
  bar:Gene&nbsp;Cornish           from:24/04/2010 till:24/04/2010
  bar:Gene&nbsp;Cornish           from:01/01/2012 till:05/05/2013
  bar:Gene&nbsp;Cornish           from:01/10/2022 till:end
  bar:Buzzy&nbsp;Feiten           from:01/01/1970 till:01/06/1970 width:4
  bar:Danny&nbsp;Weis             from:01/06/1970 till:01/01/1971 width:4
  bar:Buzzy&nbsp;Feiten           from:01/01/1971 till:01/06/1972 width:4
  bar:Ed&nbsp;Mattey              from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988 width:4

  color:bass
  bar:Robert&nbsp;Popwell         from:01/01/1970 till:01/06/1972 width:4
  bar:Steve&nbsp;Mackey           from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988 width:4
  bar:Gene&nbsp;Cornish           from:start      till:01/01/1970 width:8

  color:keys
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:start      till:01/06/1972 width:4
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988 width:4
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:06/05/1997 till:06/05/1997 width:4
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:24/04/2010 till:24/04/2010 width:4
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:01/01/2012 till:05/05/2013 width:4
  bar:Felix&nbsp;Cavaliere        from:01/10/2022 till:end        width:4

  color:drums
  bar:Dino&nbsp;Danelli           from:start      till:01/06/1972
  bar:Dino&nbsp;Danelli           from:14/05/1988 till:31/12/1988
  bar:Dino&nbsp;Danelli           from:06/05/1997 till:06/05/1997
  bar:Dino&nbsp;Danelli           from:24/04/2010 till:24/04/2010
  bar:Dino&nbsp;Danelli           from:01/01/2012 till:05/05/2013 

  color:percussion width:4
  bar:Eddie&nbsp;Brigati          from:start      till:01/01/1970
  bar:Eddie&nbsp;Brigati          from:06/05/1997 till:06/05/1997
  bar:Eddie&nbsp;Brigati          from:24/04/2010 till:24/04/2010
  bar:Eddie&nbsp;Brigati          from:01/01/2012 till:05/05/2013


LineData =
 layer:back
 color:studio
  at:28/03/1966
  at:09/01/1967
  at:31/07/1967
  at:19/02/1968
  at:17/03/1969
  at:15/12/1969
  at:01/03/1971
  at:05/05/1971
  at:02/05/1972

}}

==Discography==
{{Main|The Rascals discography}}
* ''[[The Young Rascals (album)|The Young Rascals]]'' (1966)
* ''[[Collections (The Young Rascals album)|Collections]]'' (1967)
* ''[[Groovin' (The Young Rascals album)|Groovin']]'' (1967)
* ''[[Once Upon a Dream (The Rascals album)|Once Upon a Dream]]'' (1968)
* ''[[Freedom Suite (The Rascals album)|Freedom Suite]]'' (1969)
* ''[[See (album)|See]]'' (1969)
* ''[[Search and Nearness]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Peaceful World (album)|Peaceful World]]'' (1971)
* ''[[The Island of Real]]'' (1972)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Rockhall}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060907174811/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/therascals Rolling Stone: The Rascals] - ''Rolling Stone'' articles
*[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5228|pure_url=yes}} The Rascals] at Allmusic
* {{discogs artist|The Young Rascals|name=The Young Rascals}}
* {{discogs artist|The Rascals}}
* {{IMDb name|2155078}}
*{{ibdb title|494144|The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream}}
*[http://www.newrascalsreloaded.com New Rascals] at newrascalsreloaded.com
*[http://www.popmatters.com/pm/features/article/50168/the-cost-of-freedom-the-rascals-struggle-for-change/ "The Rascals' Struggle for Change", Pop Matters; 2007, by Tony Sclafani]

{{The Rascals}}
{{1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rascals}}
[[Category:Rock music groups from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Vocal quartets]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1965]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1972]]
[[Category:1965 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:1972 disestablishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:American soul musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Bergen County, New Jersey]]