The Rascals

A History of Rock and Roll on Long Island

The Rascals

The Rascals (with Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli): "The Long Island Sound" usually starts with this New Jersey band because it was at The Barge, a floating disco in Westhampton, that they were discovered. Some writers referred to this musical genre as "Blue-eyed Soul." "I could never figure out why they called us that," said Gene Cornish, "I was the only guy in the group with blue eyes!"

Felix Cavaliere's Hammond B-3 is the source for the "sound". Felix discovered the sound of the B-3 while on a european tour as a Starlighter with Joey Dee. Booked into a small English hall, a B-3 dominated the stage space preventing Felix from setting up his Vox. "When we went on stage for the first time, the first thing I saw was a Hammond B-3 organ. I had seen them before but I had never touched one in my life. But naturally I couldn't let Joey know this. I sat down and played. I don't know how good or bad it sounded, but we got off alive!" Thank God!

Felix Cavaliere is still around recording and performing. The group attempted to reform during the celebration of Atlantic Record's 40th Anniversary but tensions were high and it never came off. The word is that Felix is alienated from the rest of the members. They don't speak well of each other. Several band members anonymously alluded to the fact that Felix suffers from "Diana Ross Syndrome." That is, "Without me, they're nothing!" However, this could merely be a case of "sour grapes" since Felix continues to tour, record and perform before rapturous audiences.

Recently, we received news that Felix spent an evening reading "Beaches, Bars & B-3s" and downloading "Herb's Rascals Scrapbook!" We hope he was groovin'!

The information presented here desperately needs to be updated and that's where you come in. If you have stories, historical anecdotes, memories, pictures, additions to the discography or anything devoted to this subject, upload it to us and we will include it. We want this to be the definitive database on this subject so please add to it.

If you have any questions or comments, send us e-mail or include it in the forum section. Thank you.

The Rascals (Buy It Here)
Click Here for Herb's Rascals Scrapbook Add your comments to the Rascals Forum Click Here for The Rascal's discography Click Here To Visit The Teeny Tiny Rascals Appreciation Site Click Here To Visit "A Place For Felix Cavaliere"
Click Here To return to the Index