The Rascals promise better ‘Groovin” than ever in ‘Once Upon a Dream’
Posted Jul 9, 2013 4:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – It seems The Rascals are “Groovin'” like never before.
More than 40 years after they split, the original lineup of the American soul-rockers are back together, performing in the “Once Upon a Dream” stage show that recently sold out on Broadway and runs at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre from Aug. 13 to 25.
And lead singer Eddie Brigati says they have a special quality the New Jersey-based foursome didn’t have back in the ’60s, when they rose to fame with hits including “Groovin’,” “Good Lovin’,” “It’s a Beautiful Morning” and “How Can I Be Sure.”
“The magic of it, the power of it, is that it’s clearer than ever, it’s more professional, and there’s a discipline that I think is a special gift about it,” Brigati, 67, said Tuesday in an interview after a Q&A with fans and members of the media.
“Because (back then) we were kind of put together and running back and forth, and now there’s a kind of professional backing that Steven brings to it. And it’s, I think, better than ever.”
Brigati was referring to Steven Van Zandt, the famed actor and member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band who wrote the concert/theatre show hybrid. He also co-directs with Marc Brickman.
The band first connected with Van Zandt in ’65 when he saw them playing as teens at the Keystone Roller Rink in Jersey.
“He was so touched and amazed, and to this day talks about that being one of the highlights of his youth and how it influenced him and the E Street Band and generations,” Ottawa-born guitarist Gene Cornish, 69, said at the Q&A.
Drummer Dino Danelli said Van Zandt, with whom he worked in the group Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul in the ’80s, had been trying to get the group back together since they broke up in 1970 and went on to various projects, including other Rascals incarnations.
“He said, ‘Dino, whatever it has to take, whatever time I have to spend, I’m going to get you guys back together,'” said the 69-year-old. “But it took him quite a few years. We tried six or seven times and time wasn’t right for us.”
In 2010, the former “Sopranos” cast member succeeded, reuniting them for a cancer charity concert in which they were joined onstage by Van Zandt and Springsteen for the closing number, “Good Lovin’.”
“That’s what brought us together — not the money. There was no money,” said Cornish in an interview. “Money was thrown at us left and right for years, but there wasn’t the right motivation. But for Steve we would do anything, and it was a great cause.
“I’m a cancer survivor myself, we have cancer in our extended family and it meant a lot to us to do that.”
“Steven also wrestles alligators as a hobby,” joked Brigati.
“So that’s how he got us,” interjected Cornish with a laugh.
Brigati and keyboardist/vocalist Felix Cavaliere wrote the music and lyrics for the show, which tells the band’s history through archival footage, narration and dramatic film segments.
As the story goes, the R&B-influenced musicians came together first as a cover band and then started creating originals as The Young Rascals. Their string of hits brought them worldwide fame, particularly in Canada, where they topped the charts several times.
The Rascals, as they were later known, were also heralded for refusing to tour on segregated bills and having harmonious voices that some listeners initially thought were African-American.
“One day Otis Redding comes into the studio, opens the door and says, ‘My God, you are white! They are white!'” recalled Cavaliere, 70.
Cornish said they sill have the same magic from back in the day — minus their signature onstage outfits of knickers, short ties and Eton-collared shirts.
“Not unless you go to Eddie’s room,” he quipped.
“At 3:30 in the morning he gets dressed up like that,” added Danelli with a laugh.
But though their look is different, they still ensure they “keep The Rascals’ music like people want to hear it,” noted Cornish.
“We don’t get off on tangents and we don’t do a bunch of self-indulgent stuff,” he said. “People are paying a lot of money to hear this and they know these songs, just like we know other people’s songs, so we’re doing our best to replicate what they like to hear.”
Danelli said they may release a live album of tunes from the show, and while they’re not writing new songs right now, they’re “always open to anything.”
“So we’ll see where we go with this. A lot of potential here.”
