Felix Cavaliere - From Pelham, NY to Rock n Roll Hall of Fame
by Lisa Torem
published: 8 / 9 / 2022
intro
In 'Raging Pages' Lisa Torem finds that The Rascals' Felix Cavaliere shares insights regarding the American band's hits and challenges, as well as his spiritual growth in his new autobiography, 'Memoir of a Rascal'.
The cover of Felix Cavaliere’s memoir is graced by a striking black and white image taken by the late Linda McCartney. The shadow of the organist-singer-songwriter’s clapped hands against a door and the folds of his striped shirt intrigue; it’s a perfect setup for his illuminating backstory. Cavaliere achieved his dream of creating a supergroup back in the 1960s, The Rascals (originally The Young Rascals) became a major influencer of subsequent rock ‘n’ roll bands in the U.S. and across the pond. Interestingly, Cavaliere was slated to become a doctor, or at least, that was his family’s dream. His father was a successful dentist; his mother, a pharmacist, who insisted that her son take piano lessons several times a week. His close-knit Italian family had high, professional expectations for their children. Although he didn’t ultimately follow his slated path, Cavaliere did become a success in the music business, but had the unenviable task of breaking the news to his father at one terribly dramatic juncture. They reached a compromise; Felix would test out the waters and see where life would take him over the course of a year—but that year did not result in Felix pursuing a pre-med curriculum because the music bug bit hard and there was no turning back. When Felix was barely a teen, his mother died. Although he came from a devout Catholic background, he didn’t find the answers he was looking for within the confines of his religion. He longed to understand why a religious woman who followed all the rules was taken at such an early age. His spiritual path took on new meaning, however, when he met ‘Swamiji,’ and developed a profound friendship which lasted for years. These inspirational tales speak affirmatively about the performer’s sense of discipline. There was a lot of ground to cover in this memoir and Cavaliere recounts the highs and lows clearly and earnestly. He takes us back to the East Coast club scene where his original line-up nabbed a spot in the swanky Hamptons at The Barge. Luckily, the band was in a position to attract notables such as Sid Bernstein, a prominent Beatles promoter. Their early music, which included upbeat R & B covers, got the crowd dancing and drinking. Dino Danelli, Gene Cornish, Eddie Brigati and Cavaliere were all talented musicians in their own right, but their collective chemistry got them signed to a record deal within six months. Cavaliere may be best known for his seven years with The Rascals, but other important stages in his life keep us tied to the page, too, including his role as a producer with Laura Nyro, affection for his Nashville-based band, valiant views on social justice, overall professionalism and uncompromising love for his wife, children and grandchildren. ‘When you’ve been through a life spent in rock ‘n’ roll and come out on the other side, that’s pretty much something for which you have to be grateful,’ Felix states, and then goes on to say, ‘’I’m certain there’s no coincidence that the name ‘Felix’ translates from the Latin to “lucky and successful.’ That same positivity is reflected in The Rascal hits: ‘Good Lovin’ and ‘Groovin’, which the reader will also get to celebrate alongside one of America’s most treasured acts. Raging Pages considers this to be a fast and enjoyable read with great images to boot.
Also In Raging Pages
Beatles (2022)
Benjamin Orr (2018)
Bernard Purdie (2015)
Billy Bragg (2017)
Billy J. Kramer (2016)
Bob Boilen (2016)
Bob Dylan (2018)
Bob Marley (2019)
Brian Wilson (2017)
Byrds (2024)
Clive Davis (2015)
Common (2020)
Damned (2021)
Don Short (2020)
Donovan (2022)
Elliott Murphy (2019)
Elvis Costello (2015)
Frank Sinatra (2023)
Frank Zappa (2017)
Gary Wright (2014)
Gene Simmons (2015)
Geoff Emerick (2018)
George Harrison (2022)
George Martin (2019)
Graham Nash (2023)
Green Day (2019)
Iron Maiden (2014)
Jann Wenner (2019)
Jerry Lee Lewis (2015)
Jerry Nolan (2018)
Jim Summaria and Mark Plotnick (2019)
Jimmy Webb (2022)
Joe Perry (Aerosmith) (2014)
John Lennon (2017)
Kinks (2014)
Lani Hall Alpert (2019)
Laurence Juber (2014)
Liberty DeVitto (2021)
Lisa Robinson (2021)
Lita Ford (2021)
Little Anthony (2014)
Louise Harrison (2015)
Luke Haines (2024)
Manic Street Preachers (2017)
Mary Wilson (2021)
Michael Bloomfield (2020)
Michael Dorf (2019)
Miscellaneous (2014)
Ozzy Osbourne (2014)
Pamela Des Barres (2017)
Paul McCartney (2020)
Peter Doherty (2014)
Renee Rosen (2018)
Richard Balls (2018)
Rick Wakeman (2023)
Ringo Starr (2015)
Robby Krieger Band (2022)
Roger Daltrey (2020)
Rolling Stones (2016)
Ronnie Wood (2015)
Roy Bond (2023)
Sam Phillips (2018)
Sean Madigan Hoen (2014)
Silas House (2020)
Spencer Vignes (2017)
Spirit (2023)
Suzi Quatro (2023)
Sylvain Sylvain (2018)
Thin Lizzy (2016)
Tommy James (2021)
Tori Amos (2020)
U2 (2021)
Who (2014)
Will Romano (2015)
Woody Woodmansey (2018)
Zz Top (2014)
Band Links:-
https://www.felixcavalieremusic.com/https://www.facebook.com/felixcavalieresrascals
https://twitter.com/FelixCavaliere
Play in YouTube:-
interviews |
Interview (2022) |
American singer-songwriter-organist Felix Cavaliere, who founded The Rascals in the 1960s, shares his deep knowledge of the music industry, talks about his memoir and more. |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Madeline Bell - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Jimmy Nail - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Deep Purple - =1
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Jules Winchester - The Journey
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart