Although I was weaned on the British Invasion, I had my other faves in the '60s, and way up on that list was The Rascals. I found out later that the New York group was a pioneer in the realm of blue-eyed soul. All I knew at the time was I dug the band — the tunes ("Good Lovin'," "Groovin'," "A Beautiful Morning," "A Girl Like You," "How Can I Be Sure"), the bluesy vocals by Felix Cavaliere, the funky grooves. I still keep a Rascals greatest-hits CD close at hand. Felix recently released an album with guitarist Steve Cropper called Nudge it Up a Notch, and it has its share of Rascal-esque highlights. His vocal chops are still strong. Q-105 presents this concert in celebration of its 35th anniversary. The lineup goes like this: Village People (9 p.m.), Grand Funk Railroad (7:15 p.m.), Felix Cavaliere's Rascals (the main reason to attend, 5:30 p.m.), Maxine Nightingale (4 p.m.) and Ron Dante of the Archies (2:30 p.m.).
Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, part of Q-105's 35th anniversary concert, Sat., Oct. 11, Coachman Park, Clearwater, doors at noon. Free, except for reserved seats: $25 advance, $40 day of show.
This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2008.