Ep. 14 - FELIX CAVALIERE ("A Beautiful Morning")

Felix Cavaliere began his music career playing with Joey Dee and the Starliters (of “Peppermint Twist” fame), before forming the Rascals in early 1965. They signed with Atlantic Records and were redubbed the Young Rascals, scoring their first major hit with the #1 single “Good Lovin’.” Beginning in the summer of 1966, the band released a string of fourteen consecutive Billboard charting singles written or co-written by Cavaliere, including the hits “You Better Run,” “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “Groovin’,” “A Girl Like You,” and “How Can I Be Sure.” Changing their name back to the Rascals in late 1967, the group’s unbroken streak of Cavaliere-penned hits continued with “A Beautiful Morning,” “People Got to be Free,” “A Ray of Hope,” and more. By the mid-1970s, Felix teamed up with Todd Rundgren who produced a couple of his solo albums, including the Top 40 pop hit, “Only a Lonely Heart Sees.” In recent years he has collaborated with legendary guitarist and songwriter Steve Cropper on the albums Nudge it Up a Notch and Midnight Flyer. The New York continues to make music from his adopted home base in Nashville. Cavaliere is in the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His music has been recorded by Wilson Pickett, Booker T & The MGs, The Ventures, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Dionne Warwick, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Mathis, Dusty Springfield, Three Dog Night, Judy Garland, Gloria Estefan, Keb’ Mo’, Shelby Lynne, and many more.