Book Jacket Photo: Linda McCartney © Paul McCartney
Felix Cavaliere has published his autobiography, Memoir of a Rascal. The memoir arrived March 22, 2022, via Ingram Spark. The musician is best known as a lead vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter for the Rascals, whom he co-founded as the Young Rascals in 1965. The group earned six Top 10 singles within a two-year period including three that reached #1: “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” and “People Got To Be Free.”
Cavaliere formed the New Jersey band with guitarist Gene Cornish, fellow lead vocalist, percussionist and frequent co-songwriter Eddie Brigati, and drummer Dino Danelli.
From the Feb. 22 announcement: Cavaliere writes about being galvanized by the new sound legendary disc jockey Alan Freed bought to WINS radio in New York, the pain of losing his mother when he was only 13, his wild ride with Joey Dee and the Starlighters, taking the stage at the famed Hamptons, NY club The Barge and becoming the King of Blue-Eyed Soul with one of America’s early rock bands.
Memoir of a Rascal…From Pelham, NY to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame features a forward by famed deejay Cousin Brucie. The cover is an original photograph by Linda McCartney taken during the Rascals’ New York City concert at The Phone Booth.
This ad for the Young Rascals appeared in the March 19, 1966, issue of Record World
More from the announcement: Cavaliere’s gregarious writing is enhanced by heartfelt memories of the magic of the Rascals, his spiritual journey and guru Swami Satchidananda’s lifechanging influence, and professional accomplishments. The memoir is a firsthand account of rock ‘n’ roll history from a man recognized as one if its most celebrated artists—but who also sees himself as one of the genre’s biggest fans.
“I know fans have been asking me for years to finish my autobiography,” Cavaliere said. “It’s a blessing to revisit memories and hopefully my story can inspire the next generation of singers and songwriters.”
Cavaliere’s new album, Then & Now, is expected by the end of the summer.
With additional hit singles like “A Beautiful Morning,” “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” and “How Can I Be Sure,” the Rascals are considered the best “blue-eyed soul” group to come out of the 1960s. Cavaliere’s career includes induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Grammy Hall of Fame.
Watch Cavaliere perform with the Rascals on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1966
In April, he begins a Legends Live Tour with Micky Dolenz of The Monkees in select markets.
Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals 2022 Tour (Tickets are available here)
Felix Cavaliere in 2019 (Photo: Leon Volskis; used with permission)
Mar 28-31 | Flower Power Cruise
Apr 01 | Southwest Florida Events Center | Bonita Springs, Fla.
Apr 02 | Center @ Anna Maria Island | Anna Maria Island, Fla.
Apr 08 | Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino | Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Apr 09 | Rams Head On Stage | Annapolis, Md.
Apr 23 | American Music Theatre | Lancaster, Pa.*
Apr 24 | Keswick Theatre | Glenside, Pa.*
May 12 | Count Basie Center | Red Bank, N.J.*
May 14 | Patchogue Theatre | Patchogue, N.Y.*
Jun 03 | Palladium Times Square | New York, N.Y.*
Jun 04 | Lynn Auditorium | Lynn, Mass.*
Jun 10-12 | Blue Note Hawaii | Honolulu, Hawaii
Jul 16 | Meadow Brooke Theatre | Rochester, Mich.
More dates will be announced.
*Legends Live Featuring Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals and Micky Dolenz
Related: Our Album Rewind of the Rascals’ Time Peace collection
8 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationI remember hearing ‘people got to be free’ for the first time. The energy of that song!
A pity that they are not touring europe! I’d love to see them live.
Wow, I was there 1965 sitting on a green pickle barrel in front of Gean my mom and dad went often and went with them. Later my band the Munchkins played there and also at the Eye with the Hassles. Then in 76 My family took the Barge over and remodeled it bringing it back to life. My band Nasty Habits played there with a mix of other bands. The Sparrow played there also ( John Kay ) 67? After that the Barge burnt down ☹️ Had it for 5 years but the magic never came back ☮️
Looking forward to a “groovin'” read….
Cousins of Bruce are Rascal fans = Young & old Rascals fans unite =get behind the book!
I got to see the Rascals perform twice back in the sixties. I still remember those shows. It was just plain fun. Music has changed so much since then, and not necessarily for the better.
I remember 1980 as sort of the “comeback year” for a few of the 60s rockers. “Only a Lonely Heart Sees” by Felix, “Three Times in Love” by Tommy James, “A Little in Love” by Cliff Richard. And Rocky Burnette equaled his dad by going Top 10 with “Tired of Toeing the Line”.
Can’t wait to read the book.
I would imagine a book by this man would be the size of a tome. What a truly fine band they were, and even to me their music that came from them when the “Young” was dropped from their namesake. I was still very much enthralled by them, and I still listen to those later discs as well. The article here was short, so I don’t know if his memoirs touch on his work with CREATION and his solo lps at any depth. I am looking forward to reading this book nonetheless, to be drawn into his story.
I per-ordered my copy last week!! Looking forward to reading it!