Music plays a crucial role in our lives by shaping our moods and inspiring us. It has the power to transport, connect, and can even drive us to create change. It serves as the soundtrack to our most cherished memories – our first dance, a road trip with friends, or a moment of triumph. The way a song can capture a feeling is nothing short of magic. This is why music is so important – it enhances our lives, makes us feel understood, and sometimes even helps us understand ourselves better.
Musical Magic in Bergen County
What if we told you that some major musical magic happened right here in Bergen County in the 1960s? That a family from Garfield had the talent, passion, and creativity to produce music loved by millions, music that still feels fresh and meaningful today? What if we said two brothers from this very place co-wrote, arranged, and sang songs that topped the charts, even amidst fierce competition from the likes of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Motown? And what if we told you that these brothers and their timeless music are still influencing the music scene in New Jersey today? Well, it’s all true.
Garfield’s Brigati Brothers: Talent, Drive, and International Fame
Right here in Bergen County, a creative spark was lit that would blaze a trail through the world of rock and soul for decades. It was on Monroe Street in Garfield that the Rascals, originally dubbed the Young Rascals, first met to rehearse and rock their way into the annals of music history. It’s hard to be a Bergen County resident and not feel immense pride in the enduring legacy left by our very own rock and roll legends. At the core of this vibrant sound were Eddie and David Brigati, brothers who grew up in Garfield, whose voices and vision catapulted not only the Rascals but also Joey Dee and the Starliters, among others, to international fame.
“We came from literally ground zero.” – Eddie Brigati
David Brigati: From Garfield High School to the Peppermint Lounge
David, the elder Brigati brother, had his first taste of success performing at Garfield High School assemblies and then in the late 1950s as a group harmony singer and arranger with the vocal group the Hi-Fives. His chart-topping success and long tenure with Joey Dee and the Starliters and his significant vocal contributions to the Rascals’ hits showcase the musical innovation, evolution, integrity, and joy both Brigati brothers brought to popular music.
“We got a new dance, and it goes like this…”
In 1960, the local North Jersey group Joey Dee and the Starliters, featuring Joey Dee and David Brigati on lead vocals, were scheduled to perform a weekend gig at the Peppermint Lounge, a discotheque on 45th Street in Manhattan. Their performance was a huge success, and the club decided to book them long-term. Whenever they performed, it was absolute chaos, with crowds, including celebrities such as Judy Garland, John Wayne, Nat King Cole, and Jackie Kennedy, eagerly waiting to get into what was essentially the Studio 54 of its time, just to see the exciting new act from Jersey.
“The name of the dance is the Peppermint Twist.”
The group soon recorded “Peppermint Twist” as a tribute to the lounge. The buzz the group and club generated helped to make the record a massive international hit, eventually achieving gold record status. This catapulted the Starliters to the top of the charts, becoming one of the country’s hottest groups. They even toured internationally and were featured in teen pop music-oriented films. A notable moment was when the Beatles opened for these Jersey boys while on tour in Europe, a testament to their influence and popularity.
The hits kept coming with their fast-paced, danceable rhythm, often recorded with a live feel to capture the excitement of the Peppermint Lounge. They frequently featured David Brigati’s distinctive lead or background vocals. Listen to David Brigati’s lead vocal on “Hot Pastrami with Mashed Potatoes” to experience the excitement and soulful delivery the Starliters produced.
Not all Joey Dee and the Starliters releases were frenetic dance records. In fact, “What Kind of Love is This,” a 1962 chart hit, was a mid-tempo love song that included backing vocals from David’s kid brother, Garfield High School student Eddie Brigati.
Eddie Brigati and the Birth of the Rascals
“I’ll never forget the day when I discovered that my younger brother Eddie had a wonderful singing voice, too.” – David Brigati
In 1964, David Brigati left the Starliters, and kid brother Eddie joined the group, along with keyboardist and vocalist Felix Cavaliere and guitarist Gene Cornish. This trio, along with legendary drummer Dino Danelli, soon left Joey Dee and the Starliters to form the Rascals.
The band, originally named the Young Rascals, performed their debut show in February 1965 at the Choo Choo Club in Garfield, just a few blocks from the Brigati’s Monroe Street residence. They brought a driving and exciting sound by combining rock, R&B, and soul with exceptional musicianship, along with the soulful vocals of Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere.
By late 1965, the Rascals were already on the charts, with Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati soon serving as the main vocalists and songwriters behind most of the group’s hits.
One of the Great Groups of the 60s
The Rascals were one of the great groups of the 1960s, known for their strong songwriting, soulful vocals, exceptional musicianship, and high-energy live performances. From 1965 to 1972, their often innovative recordings reflected the band’s passion for R&B, soul, jazz, rock, vocal groups, and other musical influences. Hits such as “Good Lovin’,” “It’s a Beautiful Morning,” “A Girl Like You,” “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “Groovin’,” and “How Can I Be Sure” (featuring Eddie Brigati on lead vocals) dominated the charts.
Social Commentary Through Music
The Rascals’ music, especially tracks like “People Got to Be Free,” “Look Around,” and “Ray of Hope,” resonated deeply during the tumultuous times of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, offering messages of hope and unity.
The group’s refusal to perform on segregated bills spoke volumes about their commitment to social issues, further embedding their work in the social fabric of the era.
The Fifth Rascal
David Brigati played a significant role in the Rascals’ recordings, and he is often referred to as the “Fifth Rascal” due to his considerable contributions to the group. His background vocal arrangements and harmonies with his brother Eddie are fundamental to the group’s sound and continue to make their records sound fresh and timeless. David also collaborated with Eddie on writing the lyrics for “How Can I Be Sure,” a classic Rascals’ hit record from 1967. Additionally, David provided the beautiful lead vocal on “Once Upon A Dream,” the title track from the Rascals’ 1968 album.
Recognition and Legacy
The indelible mark left by the Rascals was recognized with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, celebrating their profound impact on the music industry. Eddie Brigati’s contributions as a songwriter were further honored when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, highlighting his role in crafting some of rock music’s most memorable and influential recordings.
The Rascals pumped out hit after hit and quality album after quality album for half of the 1960s and into the 1970s, during an era when most bands were lucky to last three months. Through a combination of solid songwriting, excellent playing, and some of the best blue-eyed soul singers in music history, the band built a catalog of quality recordings and a career legacy that stands the test of time. They were really that good! For those interested in a deeper dive into the Rascals’ music, “It’s Wonderful: The Complete Atlantic Studio Recordings” offers 152 tracks of everything the band recorded for Atlantic Records from 1965-1971. This collection also features a 60-page book that chronicles the Rascals’ story with detailed accounts and rare photos, giving fans an inside look at their career.
Post-Rascals
The Brigatis continued their musical journey by collaborating on the album “Lost in the Wilderness” in 1976. Produced by the renowned Arif Mardin and Phil Ramone, “Lost in the Wilderness” highlighted the brothers’ distinctive vocals and deep roots in rock and soul music. The album also featured original songs written by Eddie, David, and longtime friend and songwriting partner, Edwin Kobylarz.
Rascals’ Broadway Reunion and Tour
The Rascals experienced a significant resurgence with their reunion show on Broadway, titled “The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream.” Debuting in 2013, the show was produced and directed by Stevie Van Zandt, a longtime friend and supporter of the band. The well-received show combined live performances with archival footage and narrative elements, celebrating the band’s legacy. Following the Broadway run, the Rascals embarked on a successful tour, bringing their classic hits and dynamic performances to audiences across the country.
Tribute Concert in Hackensack: Celebrating Brigati Brothers’ Legacy
“I can’t begin to explain what this means to David and me. We have a co-biography and the music tells the whole story.” – Eddie Brigati
This past April, the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) hosted a live tribute concert presented by the Rockit Foundation. The event featured performances by students of Rockit Academy, New Jersey’s premier live music education program. At Rockit Academy, young musicians and vocalists learn classic songs through group instruction and performances.
“A Celebration of Garfield’s Brigati Brothers” did more than recount the incredible careers of these local Bergen County music legends; it reignited their fiery trail through the history of rock and roll, enveloping a sold-out crowd of old friends, lifelong fans, and a new generation of musicians with the spirit of the ’60s and ’70s music scene.
The event started with Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse making introductions. Then, a group of talented musicians from Rockit Academy took the stage, performing classic hits from the Rascals, the Starliters, and other rock, pop, and soul legends.
Echoes of the Past: Excitement for the Present and Future
The air at HACPAC buzzed with anticipation and reverence as a sold-out crowd from various generations mingled—long-time fans rubbed shoulders with young, aspiring musicians and friends from Garfield, all brought together to pay tribute to the legacy of the Brigati brothers. As the lights dimmed, the stage was set for a night of music and a heartfelt journey through the Brigati’s contributions to rock and soul. The event, sponsored by former Garfield Mayor Louis Aloia, his wife Rosemarie, and the Aloia family, included lots of local color and a strong sense of community, with an audience consisting of parents of the performers, and other friends, fans, and music lovers. There was a lot of talent on the stage and as much love in the air.
Performances Bridging Time
The concert was divided into two parts. The first part showcased a variety of rock, soul, and pop classics performed by talented young artists from Rockit Academy. They performed songs that influenced or were contemporaneous with the Rascals, including an incredible rendition of “Born on the Bayou,” where a young musician impressed the audience with his fantastic take on this Creedence classic. Other songs in the first half of the show included “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Little Bit of Soul,” “Band of Gold,” “You’re So Vain,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and many more classics that were performed with note-perfect playing, singing, and delivery.
The second part of the concert featured the Rockit Academy Groovin’ Band, performing a variety of Rascals’ music, ranging from the band’s earlier gritty R&B era through the incredible evolution of their music.
The students began the set wearing classic “Young Rascals” schoolboy shirts and ties, and then transitioned into a more psychedelic late 60s look as they worked through the Rascals’ discography. Each song highlighted the band’s growth and development as musicians. Memorable performances of “A Beautiful Morning,” “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore,” “A Girl Like You,” and “Love is a Beautiful Thing” captured the innovative essence of the Rascals.
“I like to refer to them as kids, but they’re not. These are full spirits. They are full-grown spirits, and they are giving me this opportunity to hand them everything that’s good about what we accomplished.” – Eddie Brigati
Surprise Guest Appearances
The event featured appearances by legendary musicians such as Liberty DeVitto, Stevie Van Zandt, and Johnny Farina, who joined the students on stage. They bridged the gap between the original sounds of the 60s and today’s interpretations. Liberty DeVitto, known for his work as Billy Joel’s drummer, brought a dynamic energy to the “You Better Run” performance. Johnny Farina performed “Sleepwalk,” a 1959 instrumental classic he originally recorded with his brother as Santo and Johnny. Stevie Van Zandt from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band joined the band for a rousing and rocking finale of “Good Lovin.”
Eddie Brigati and his wife, singer Susan Lovell Brigati, joined the students on stage for several Rascals’ numbers, including “Groovin'” and a moving rendition of “How Can I Be Sure.” Eddie’s heartfelt performance brought many in the audience to tears, a testament to the enduring power of his music. Susan’s vocals added a beautiful layer to the performance, showcasing a shared passion for music and its ability to connect people.
A Maywood woman seated behind us, who sang along with each song throughout the show, told us after the event that she used to sneak into the Choo-Choo Club in Garfield to catch the Young Rascals in their very early days. Like many others, her story highlighted the deep connection and love for the music that filled the air that night.
Garfield’s Own: A Film by Joe Russo
A documentary titled “Garfield’s Own,” produced by Rascals’ archivist and historian Joe Russo, was shown during the tribute concert. This engaging, emotional, and often humorous film provided an intimate look into the Brigati family history, roots, and ties to Garfield and the impressive careers that led both brothers to the top of the charts. The documentary beautifully captured the essence of the Brigati brothers’ journey, from their early days in Garfield to their rise to fame. It highlighted the profound impact their music has had on fans and musicians alike. The audience was clearly moved by the personal stories and rare footage, making “Garfield’s Own” a heartfelt tribute to the enduring legacy of Eddie and David Brigati.
The show was one of the best we’ve been to in a long time. Eddie Brigati’s connection to the students of Rockit Academy is clearly heartfelt and productive. It was a moving experience to see the music of this legendary Bergen County-rooted family performed so passionately and impactfully.
Reflecting on the night, Eddie Brigati said of the Rockit Academy performers, “This is their expression. This is their time. In this crazy world that’s constantly changing, they have the spirit, they are the spirit, they brought the spirit, they bring the spirit each and every time and it gets better and better.”
The Legacy Continues
The tribute to the Brigati brothers at HACPAC was more than just a concert; it was a profound celebration of their musical legacy and impact on the community. Through their music and the ongoing work of the Rockit Live Foundation, they continue to inspire and influence future musicians. Eddie Brigati’s words encapsulated the night’s spirit during the concert: “This is the future of music and hope. This is our future, and every person here has music in their heart and in their soul.”
As the final notes of “People Got to Be Free” faded, it was clear that the Brigati brothers’ legacy would continue to resonate, fostering new talent and keeping the music alive in New Jersey for generations to come.
Rockit Academy: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Musicians
Under Bruce Gallipani’s stewardship, the Rockit Academy has earned a reputation for nurturing young talent in the spirit of the Brigati brothers’ legacy. The Academy leverages this rich musical history as a teaching tool, inspiring students with the Brigati brothers’ successes and their enduring commitment to musical excellence and innovation.
From Childhood Inspiration to Lifelong Friendship
Bruce Gallipani, founder and music director of the Rockit Academy, explained the genesis of this extraordinary event: “I’ve been a fan of the Rascals ever since I was a kid. In fact, I first saw them performing at Shea Stadium at the very young age of 5. Their music and lyrics always had personal meaning for me. Especially growing up in a household listening to their music and my father playing “How Can I Be Sure” on the accordion. Fast forward to 2017, Maureen Van Zandt introduced me to Eddie and Susan at a Little Steven album release party where the Rockit Academy was performing. Since that day, we’ve grown very close with Eddie and Susan, and now I see where the heart and soul of the Rascals’ music and lyrics came from. Eddie and Susan are so loving. They stop at rehearsals to mentor our young musicians and attend just about every live show of ours.”
Origins of Brigati Brothers Tribute Show
“As Executive Director of the Rockit Academy, part of my job is to help choose music for the students to perform live,” said Gallipani. “I wanted to start a Rascals tribute band but realized that this may not fit all musicians. As simple as the songs sound, they are very complex, particularly replicating those beautiful vocals. We love Eddie and wanted to do something special for him and his brother David who brought Eddie into the music business. We started rehearsing students in September 2023, and by January 2024, we were in full rehearsals for our big show. That was just the music part of it. Our amazing board members and volunteers helped make this a reality.”
Support the Rockit Live Foundation
The Rockit Live Foundation helps develop and inspire young musicians to reach their full artistic potential through live music education, making it accessible to all regardless of economic background. The program goes beyond music, building character by instilling confidence, teamwork, and discipline in young performers. With a curriculum that includes full-length albums and themes, students deliver outstanding renditions of classic rock, pop, and soul hits. Prestigious alums who have gone on to tour with major artists and perform with legendary musicians demonstrate the high level of training they receive.
Supporting the Rockit Live Foundation is easy and impactful. You can visit their website to donate directly: Rockit Live Foundation. You can also stay connected with the Foundation’s activities through their Instagram page (@rockitlivefoundation), Facebook (@Rockit), and YouTube.
Visit the Rockit Live Foundation website for information on upcoming performances. Musical magic is happening at Rockit Academy; you won’t want to miss it.
