Photo Credit: Leon Volskis

As a member of The Rascals, Felix Cavaliere is music royalty. Along with Dino Danelli, Eddie Brigati, and (Canadian) Gene Cornish, the group has been enshrined in The Grammy Hall of Fame, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were (satirically) inducted into the Rock Hall by Steven Van Zandt, who referred to them as “the first rock band in the world.” From his perspective, you’ll see why.

From 1966-1970, the band’s “blue-eyed soul,” had more success on the Canadian charts than they did on Billboard. In America, six Top 10 songs, with three going to #1. In Canada, they had 12 Top 10 records, including 6 number one songs: Good Lovin’, Groovin’, A Girl Like You, How Can I Be Sure?, Beautiful Morning and People Got To be Free.

Some things never change. This “young rascal” is still promoting peace, love and inclusion now, just as he did then. In September of this year, Cavaliere released “Then and Now,” his first solo album in 30 years. All the songs on the album carry on the Cavaliere themes of peace, love and happiness.

The album might have just as easily been called “Cause and Effect.” It’s a mixture of songs by five artists that influenced him back in the day. The “cause” include Ray Charles, Clarence Carter, Jackie Wilson, Bobby Moore and Ben E. King. It also includes five new songs written or co-written by Cavaliere – these songs illustrate the “effect” of those artists on his music.

For me, some of the standout tracks include his versions of Slip Away, Mary Ann and Searching For My Love. A new track, Soul Love, will also take you back with its early 80s feel. Summer in El Barrio, will also get your toes-a-tapping.

For more information on the album or his current tour with Gene Cornish, go to felixcavalieremusic.com/.

In this interview, originally broadcast on Oldies Without Borders, Felix and I talk about the new album, why he chose this material, his musical influences and the impact The Rascals had on popular music and the importance of peace, love and happiness in music and in life.

Enjoy!

Interview Copyright Peter J. Maurin, The Vinyl Professor. Published under Creative Commons License: Attribution/Non-Commercial Use.