Felix at The Sharon
 

A few years ago, I attended a Felix Cavaliere concert at The Savannah Center in The Villages. With 880 seats available, the attendance at both shows was pathetic, with so many empty seats. The turnout was a disgrace for a Hall of Fame talent.

I understand many music lovers know the songs, but not the members of the groups who sing them. Of course, everyone knows John, Paul, George and Ringo. And those who do not know the lead singer of The Rolling Stones and The Doors must have been living in a cave most of their lives. Unfortunately, with many groups such as The Young Rascals or later shortened to The Rascals, people have no clue to who Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati, Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli are, yet everyone knows their songs.

Good Lovin, People Got to be Free, Groovin’, A Beautiful Morning, I’ve Been Lonely Too Long, A Girl Like You, etc.
Although Eddie Brigati (How Can I Be Sure, & I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore) contributed to the song catalog, Felix Cavaliere was the voice of the group.

Felix will be playing at The Sharon on February 27. As of today, too many tickets are still available. Felix is a great entertainer and it is sad to see such lousy support for such a great talent.

As an example, Johnny Rivers is nearly sold out. Everybody knows Johnny Rivers by Johnny Rivers. Perhaps if the Rascals were called Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals, turnout would be better, because people would be more familiar with the name.

The Loving Spoonful is another example. They appear regularly in The Villages and are always sold out. I got news for you, the voice of the Spoonful, Mr. John Sebastian hasn’t toured with the group in a million years. But people listen to some other guy sing Do You Believe In Magic, Daydream, You didn’t Have To Be So Nice, Summer In The City etc. and think they saw The Loving Spoonful. They didn’t!

Highest price tickets are $65. Nosebleed seats only $20. Open your wallets people. Go for it. You’ll be happy you did.

https://youtu.be/Nr9-aIRB86s

Sampling of his music.

I've got my tickets....looking forward to it!

What's the dress code at the Sharon??

I never see anyone in suits. I see lots of people in shorts. I think it's whatever you want.

Tom...IMO you failed to mention some of the Rascals best songs.... Ones that weren't their hits! They did THE BEST renditions of Mustang Sally and Like a Rolling Stone, better than originals by Pickett and Dillon. Also, Felix was known for his keyboards -- he used the legendary Hammond B3 organ (perhaps he still does). Their version of More (than the greatest love...) had an jazzy organ break to die for. Also did a great cover of the song I Believe. Both found on their albums, but seldom heard performed.

It is too bad the group now tours separately.. I went to a show in Mt. Dora a few years back, 2 of the originals, no Felix...they needed Felix, IMO, badly!

Yes. I llove the version of Mustang Sally. Could have mentioned many other songs but was only trying to get my point across. I could be mistaken but I believe Eddie sang More.

Felix now uses smaller portable keyboards. No more of the famous hammond organ. Hope ypu will be attending

Wasn't he once touring under the name of Felix Cavaliere's Rascals? I wonder why he's not using that name any longer. It might help with name recognition.

I loved the Rascals as a kid, but it was, mostly because of Dino Danelli. He is one of my favorite drummers of all time, but sadly is no longer touring with Felix.

I know that they did a reunion concert a short while ago, but they are no longer touring together. Anyone know why?

I hear you, Jim. My two favorite drummers from the late sixties and early 70's were Dino and Don Brewer, Grank Funk Rairroads drummer.

Speaking of drummers, let us not forget Bobby Elliot of the Hollies!

A few years ago Steven Van Zant produced a Broadway show featuring the original line up of the Rascals. After a national tour the guys went their separate ways. Pity that.

I remember reading in the Daily Sun, Lovin' Spoonful attendees saying that they finally saw the Spoonful. Well, Sebastian and Zally were not there. If you see Joe Butler playing the autoharp and singing "Do You Believe in Magic" you saw a Spoonful tribute band.

Back on topic, let's fill up the Sharon for Felix. He puts on a great show and it is as close as we will come to seeing the Rascals. Gosh, I need to play the "Once Upon a Dream" CD. It is one of my favorites.

Which is a shame.....but you're right.

What about Vanilla Fudge, no love for Carmine Appice!! I was also a huge GFR fan the first five albums I wore them out. Then they split from their manager Terry Knight, who produced all their albums. That's when they changed from that raw energy hard rock band into a pop band. Todd Rundgren produced some of them, it's always amazing that an artsy type person like Todd when he produces someone else, they make pop hits. The first concert I ever saw was Vanilla Fudge, that was over in St. Petersburg in 1968.

If you want to name how many bands are touring without the original singer, start with Grand Funk, I saw them on the last tour with Mark, Don and Mel, it was 1998. I know the story of why they broke up again, part of it was Mark's born again Christian lifestyle. Also, one of the biggest without the original is Journey without Steve Perry, I saw them in 1980. How about the Guess Who without Burt Cummings, I saw them in 1970. There's Yes without Jon Anderson. I saw 3 Dog Night the last tour they had Chuck, Corey and Danny together, it was 1983. Now with Corey Wells dead, are Danny and Chuck going to reunite, I saw Chuck solo in 1998, he still has a great voice. How about Foreigner without Lou Gramm, I saw them in 1982. I've got a video of Lou's last tour with Foreigner and I'm sorry, you don't want to hear him sing, it's not good. Kelly Hansen is doing a good job anyway. I could go on, but I'll let someone else.

Here's Carmine

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...FHS0Yez_gg_Tul

Don Brewer

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...LI2bxXZpoL8COA

I'm in.

Of course I liked Carmine. He played with Rod Stewart a bit also. Vanila Fudge was a great group.
The Runt began his carreer with Thr Nazz and later produced Meatloaf's Bat Out Of Hell album.
Part of Guess Who become BTO.
I heard the same negitivity about Lou Graham's voice being shot

Many groups replace lead singers when the lead siger is the group. Even The Doors tried to continue without Morrison.
A shame about Corey Wells. so much great music in our days. A shame the newer generation will never grasp what they are missing.

Lou Gramm didn't just lose his voice, he had a medical condition that caused his change. In the late 90's he had a brain tumor and when they removed it, they damaged a part of his brain which controls his weight and singing ability. He now sounds like someone who had too much alcohol trying to impersonate Lou Gramm.

Lou Gramm before

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...zUuhuNdZpqHtBm

Lou Gramm now

http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/Wdo2cjrD20M/0.jpg