rockschoolpodcast

As a founding member of The Rascals (AKA The Young Rascals), Felix sang and played organ and piano, in addition to frequently collaborating with bandmate Eddie Brigati to write some of the band’s most successful songs, such as “How Can I Be Sure?,” “I’ve Been Too Lonely Too Long,” “A Beautiful Morning,” and “Groovin’.” The band had 3 #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits including “Good Lovin’,” a song that the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame has included on its list of the 500 songs that shaped Rock & Roll The Rascals’ music was heavily rooted in African American influences, and they were the first all non-Black act to be signed to Atlantic Records. Despite pushback and cancellations, the band refused to tour on segregated bills and even stipulated that there be Black acts performing on their bills. Their Civil Rights anthem “People Got To Be Free” (written by Felix and Eddie) became their final No. 1 track in both the U.S. and Canada. Felix went on to release six solo albums, be a touring member of Ringo Starr’s third All-Starr Band, perform with Billy Joel, record an album with Steve Cropper, and participate in multiple reunions of The Rascals including starring in a heralded Broadway musical revue, Once Upon A Dream, in 2013. Felix has been inducted into the Songwriters, Rock and Roll, Hammond, Hit Parade, and Musicians halls of fame.