Felix Cavaliere's Rascals Play Smothers Theatre Tonight

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the legendary band The Rascals, Felix Cavaliere hits the stage at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre tonight, January 22 at 8 p.m.

Tickets, priced starting at $25 for the public and $10 for full-time Pepperdine students, are available now by calling (310) 506-4522 or online at http://arts.pepperdine.edu/. More information: http://www.felixcavalieremusic.com/

Best known for his association with The Rascals during the 1960s, classically trained pianist Felix Cavaliere has been performing, producing and writing songs for over 50 years. His illustrious career includes inductions in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriter Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and Grammy Hall of Fame.

Early in 1965, Cavaliere formed the 'Young Rascals' with Dino Danelli, Eddie Brigati, and Gene Cornish. That October, they caught the attention of promoter/manager Sid Bernstein with their high-energy set at Long Island's elite club, Barge. After signing to Atlantic Records and changing their name, The Rascals dived right in with a stream of mega hit songs, including "Good Lovin'," which struck No. 1 in February 1966 and featured vocals by Felix Cavaliere. Cavaliere also sang vocals on five of their other successful singles, including "Groovin'" and "A Beautiful Morning."

By the early 1970s, The Rascals experimented with more jazz-influenced sounds, and moved to Columbia Records, disbanding in 1972. Cavaliere began his solo career journey during this time, releasing his self-titled debut album with Todd Rundgren at the producer helm. His follow-up albums were Destiny (1974), Castles in the Air (1979), and Dreams in Motion (1994). His solo hit song "Only a Lonely Heart Sees" (1980) charted at No. 36 on Billboard's Pop 100 and No. 2 on its Adult Contemporary. In 2008, he collaborated with Stax Records guitar legend Steve Cropper on the Grammy-nominated Nudge it Up a Notch and again in 2010 with Midnight Flyer.

Today, Cavaliere is busy finishing his memoir and has an active tour schedule.

He calls Nashville home, where he is constantly collaborating and writing new material.

The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University provides high-quality activities for over 50,000 people from 664 zip codes annually through performances, rehearsals, museum exhibitions, and master classes. Located on Pepperdine's breathtaking Malibu campus overlooking the Pacific, the center serves as a hub for the arts, uniquely linking professional guest artists with Pepperdine students as well as patrons from surrounding Southern California communities. Facilities include the 450-seat Smothers Theatre, the 118-seat Raitt Recital Hall, the "black box" Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre, and the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.

To post a comment, you must register and login.