Two legendary founders of The Rascals are coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse on October 25

The Rascals are widely considered the best ‘blue-eyed soul’ group to come out of the 1960s and their music the soundtrack of a generation. With 17 Top 20 hits, seven Top 10 hits, and three No. 1 hits that include “Groovin’, “People Got To Be Free” and “Good Lovin’,” the Rascals have earned their place in music history. Now, Rock & Roll, Grammy and Songwriter Hall of Fame inductees and founders of The Rascals, Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish are teaming up with Modern Drummer Hall of Fame inductee Carmine Appice for Felix Cavaliere & Gene Cornish’s Rascals at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, October 25 at 8pm, part of Pepsi Rock Series powered by Xfinity. Make it a great night out with dinner and a show! Visit Bailey’s Backyard (23 Bailey Avenue • Ridgefield) for an early dinner and receive 10% off when you show your ticket! Media sponsor for this show is WLAD.

The message has always been to stand for peace, love, and happiness. For legendary singer-songwriter, Felix Cavaliere, making people feel good is primary to his illustrious 50-year career that includes the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriter Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and Grammy Hall of Fame. Few artists can claim they defined a generation; Felix Cavaliere continues to remind us to keep listening for the world’s beauty.

“I had an epiphany while performing in Hawaii last year,” Cavaliere said. “It’s not about me – it’s about the fans. It’s about the music. I spoke with Gene and he agreed that we can’t take any of this for granted anymore.”

Cornish, who first worked with Cavaliere and future Rascals singer, Eddie Brigati, in Joey Dee & The Starlighters in 1964, echoed Cavaliere’s feelings. “There’s something magical that happens when we’re on stage together,” Cornish said. “We’re going to celebrate these songs for as long as the fans allow us to and give the fans a chance to see us perform live.”

Joining them on this new journey is Hall of Fame drummer, Carmine Appice. The Brooklyn-born iconic drummer’s resume includes Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Rod Stewart, Beck Bogert & Appice, Ozzy Osbourne and Pink Floyd.   “I grew up watching The Rascals on Ed Sullivan, I’m a huge fan,” Appice said. “These songs are the soundtrack to so many people's lives. I’m looking forward to sharing the music with life-long Rascals fans, and to new generations of fans.”

Originally named The Young Rascals, and comprised of Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish, Eddie Brigati and drummer Dino Danelli, the group signed to Atlantic Records in 1965, Just a short time later, their first single “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Your Heart Out Anymore” reached modest success. Now just called The Rascals, they struck No. 1 in February 1966 with mega-hit “Good Lovin.’” They followed suit with a string of hits like “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “Groovin’” (No. 1 in 1967), “How Can I Be Sure,” “A Girl Like You,” “A Beautiful Morning” and “People Got to Be Free” (No. 1 in 1968). The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

For tickets ($97) call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.  The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

R
Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next