Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Felix Cavaliere continues to create contemporary classics well into the fifth decade of his career.  His early musical influences stated to take hold in the forms of idolizing the music of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cook.  While in his teens he formed his first band called The Stereos.  Early in 1965, Cavaliere formed the “Young Rascals” with Dino Danelli, Eddie Brigati and Gene Cornish. While performing at the Barge, their high-energy set attracted the attention of promoter/ manager Sid Bernstein and the group was signed with Atlantic Records.  The Rascals second single “Good Lovin” went to #1 in 1966.  From 1965 through 1969, the Rascals were one of the biggest groups in the country with hits that included “Groovin’,” “A Girl Like You”, “A Beautiful Morning”, “People Got to Be Free”, which topped the charts for five weeks in 1968.  By the early seventies, the Rascals had mutated into an impressionistic jazz-rock outfit and moved from Atlantic to Columbia Records.  They continued to record without Brigati and Cornish from 1971-1972, but without all four founding members, their dissolution was inevitable.  The Rascals disbanded in 1972.

Best known as the 70’s Pop/Rock band that brought you the classic hits “Still the One”, “Dance with Me”, and “Love Takes Time”, Orleans has produced a body of work spanning 16 albums and several DVDs.  The band continues to be in great demand internationally for live performances.  Orleans began as a trio in 1972 in Woodstock, NY.  Guitarist John Hall, drummer Wells Kelly and multi-instrumentalist Larry Hoppen played tirelessly all over the Northeast for nine months, then added Lance Hoppen on bass to form the quartet that would record its debut LP in 1973 at the legendary Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama. In 2000 the band added Lane Hoppen and shortly after, Charlie Morgan – drummer for Elton John for 13 years joined the group.  Most recently, Orleans experienced a tragedy in the sudden passing of co-founder Larry Hoppen on July 24th.  While there is no replacing Larry, the decision was made to somehow continue to perform the remaining shows of this year’s calendar.  Current members Lance and Lane Hoppen, Fly Amero and Charlie Morgan are now rejoined by co-founder John Hall in order to finish with dignity and integrity what was started 40 years ago.

The final headliner will be announced on Tuesday, Sept 11th at the 56th Annual Telethon of Stars Kick-Off.

For more info: www.telethonofstars.org.

Article provided by Stephanie Benjamin.