The Young Rascals (the 'young' prefix was dropped when the band
members left their teens) initially gained a following in New
Jersey around 1965, particularly the Choo Choo Club in Garfield,
where they made their debut in January of that year.
Next followed a three-month residency on The Barge, off
Southampton, Long island - where they were discovered and signed
to Atlantic Records.
I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore was their first
single, and their first American hit. By mid-1965 they were
supporting The Beatles at Shea Stadium. but it was Good Lovin'
in 1966 which gave them their first Number 1 success.
The band's following mushroomed and they became highly
influential on the East Coast, inspiring such other contemporary
groups as Vanilla Fudge.
Then in 1967 they recorded what was to be their major hit, Groovin',
which also marked a total change of style. It was a record that
captured the mood of that spring. The disc signalled the summit of
their career and, although they had another Stateside Number 1 the
following year with People Got To Be Free, they were on the
downward path.
1971 brought big changes, with Brigati and Cornish leaving the
band, leaving Cavaliere and Danelli to take on three new members;
Ann Sutton, Buzzy Feiton and Robert Popwell. The new line-up
issued two albums but, realising they had lost much of their
following, called it a day in 1972.
Danelli rejoined Cornish to form the moderately successful band
Bulldogs. Cavaliere went solo but later joined Treasure in 1977,
and Brigati teamed up with his brother, David, for recordings and
sessions.
Ann Sutton also went into sessions - notably with Greg Allman
and Ian Hunter - while Popwell joined The Crusaders. Feiton
drifted into session work and played with Paul Butterfield.
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