Felix Cavaliere is 80 years old today.
A singer, songwriter, music producer and musician, Cavaliere was a member of the Young Rascals and the Peppermint Twist. The other members of The Rascals were Eddie Brigati, Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish. Cavaliere sang vocals on six of their successful singles in the 1960s.
At an early age, he joined The Stereos and moved on to form The Escorts. He later produced albums by other artists such as Laura Nyro and Jimmie Spheeris.
Cavaliere had a solo hit with "Only A Lonely Heart Sees" (1980), which made #36 in the Billboard Pop 100 chart and #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
During 1995, Cavaliere was a touring member of Ringo Starr's third All-Starr Band. In 2008, he recorded an album with Steve Cropper, Nudge it Up a Notch, which was released July 29, 2008.
He continues to tour as Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, and on June 18, 2009, Cavaliere, along with former writing partner, Eddie Brigati, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
On April 24, 2010, all four members of the Rascals reunited for the Kristen Ann Carr benefit, which was held at New York's Tribeca Grill. The reunited Rascals appeared at the Capital Theater in Port Chester, N.Y. for six shows in December, 2012 and for fifteen dates at the Richard Rogers Theatre on Broadway (April 15-May 5, 2013).
Their current production, entitled “Once Upon A Dream.” is currently touring North America (Toronto, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Detroit, Rochester, and New York City). It is produced by long-time Rascals' fans, Steven Van Zandt and his wife, Maureen.
Cavaliere and his wife currently reside in Nashville.