David Brigati
Encyclopedia
David Brigati is an American singer.
. Dee
actually sang back up on a few of the Hi-Five recordings.
In late 1958, Joey recruited David (after a gig at Garfield High School
) to join his group, the Starliters
. David became a lead singer with the group and his lead vocal can be heard on their first single release entitled "Face of An Angel". In 1960, the Starliters became the house band for New York City
's Peppermint Lounge
. The 45th Street lounge was the inspiration for the Starliters hit 'Peppermint Twist
' and the group gained international fame.
. Eddie (along with Starliters Felix Cavaliere
and Gene Cornish
) went on to form the Rascals
. David was involved as a studio background singer with the Rascals
. He sings lead on the title track of the Rascals' 1968 album Once Upon a Dream
. His involvement with the group ended in 1970 when Eddie left the Rascals
.
In 1972, Brigati helped arrange background vocals (and was one of the background vocalists) on King Harvest
's "Dancing in the Moonlight
". Brigati also provided background vocals on the Average White Band's Soul Searching
album in 1976. That same year, David and brother Eddie recorded the album Lost in the Wilderness as 'Brigati'. It included a disco version of the Rascals' hit "Groovin'
". He also sang with Eddie at the Beacon Theater The New York Rock and Soul Revue: Live at the Beacon
in 1992. Their rendition of "Groovin'
" is included on the compilation recording.
When the Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
in 1997 at Cleveland, Ohio
, David performed with the four original members of the group.
Years later, David appeared with the Rascals when they reunited again, this time on April 24, 2010 to perform at the acclaimed Tribeca Grill in New York City, in a show arranged by Gene Cornish
. Verified via an On-Air Interview with WGHT Radio's Morning Show Host Jimmy Howes
during an on-air interview. The Rascals reunion included Gene Cornish
, Dino Danelli
, Eddie Brigati
and with Paul Shaffer
on key boards. Eddie sang lead on his regular songs such as How Can I Be Sure
and David Brigati sang co-lead with Eddie on the songs Felix Cavaliere
originally sang. Reviews were spectacular and other shows are in the planning stage now when the time can be arranged.
's brother Bobby perform as Joey Dee and the Starliters
. They have made several appearances together thru 2010.
Hi-Fives
David got his musical start as the lead singer of a doo-wop group known as the Hi-Fives. In 1958, the group recorded a number of songs on the Decca label. One of those recordings was entitled "Dorothy" and became a regional hit in the New York City/Philadelphia region. While with the Hi-Fives, David first collaborated with Joseph DiNicola (Joey Dee) of nearby Passaic, New JerseyPassaic, New Jersey
Passaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...
. Dee
Dee
-Surname:*Arthur Dee, son of John Dee*Billy Dee*Bob Dee*Daisy Dee*Dave Dee*Ed Dee*Frances Dee, actress*Gandra Dee*Gerry Dee, Canadian comedian*Jack Dee, British comedian*Jeff Dee*John Dee, English mathematician and alchemist...
actually sang back up on a few of the Hi-Five recordings.
In late 1958, Joey recruited David (after a gig at Garfield High School
Garfield High School (New Jersey)
Garfield High School is a four-year public high school located in Garfield, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Garfield Public Schools...
) to join his group, the Starliters
Joey Dee and the Starliters
Joey Dee and The Starliters is an American popular music team. Best known for their successful million-selling recording "Peppermint Twist" , the group was initiated by Joey Dee.-Early singles:...
. David became a lead singer with the group and his lead vocal can be heard on their first single release entitled "Face of An Angel". In 1960, the Starliters became the house band for New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Peppermint Lounge
Peppermint Lounge
The Peppermint Lounge was a popular discotheque located at 128 West 45th Street in New York City that was open from 1958 to 1965. It was the launchpad for the global Twist craze in the early 1960s, and also where Go-Go dancing originated....
. The 45th Street lounge was the inspiration for the Starliters hit 'Peppermint Twist
Peppermint Twist
"Peppermint Twist" is a song written by Joey Dee and Henry Glover, recorded and released by Joey Dee and the Starliters in 1961. Capitalizing on the Twist dance craze and the nightclub in which Dee performed , the song hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in early 1962...
' and the group gained international fame.
1964–1997
David left the Starliters in 1964 to pursue other interests. He was replaced by his brother, Eddie BrigatiEddie Brigati
Eddie Brigati is an American singer and songwriter.Most memorably, Brigati shared vocals, and played tambourine, in the pop group The Young Rascals from 1965 to 1970...
. Eddie (along with Starliters Felix Cavaliere
Felix Cavaliere
Felix Cavaliere is an American songwriter, singer, music producer, and musician.Although he was a member of Joey Dee and His Starlighters best known for their hit "Peppermint Twist", he is best known for his association with The Young Rascals during the 1960s. The other members of The Rascals...
and Gene Cornish
Gene Cornish
Gene Cornish is an American guitarist and harmonica player. He is an original member of the popular 1960s blue-eyed soul band the Rascals. From 1965–70, the band recorded eight albums and had thirteen singles that reached Billboard's Top 40 chart...
) went on to form the Rascals
The Rascals
The Rascals were an American blue-eyed soul group initially active during the years 1965–72. The band released numerous top ten singles in North America during the mid- and late-1960s, including the U.S. #1 hits "Good Lovin'" , "Groovin'" , and "People Got to Be Free"...
. David was involved as a studio background singer with the Rascals
The Rascals
The Rascals were an American blue-eyed soul group initially active during the years 1965–72. The band released numerous top ten singles in North America during the mid- and late-1960s, including the U.S. #1 hits "Good Lovin'" , "Groovin'" , and "People Got to Be Free"...
. He sings lead on the title track of the Rascals' 1968 album Once Upon a Dream
Once Upon a Dream (The Rascals album)
Once Upon A Dream is the fourth studio album by rock band The Rascals, released in February 1968. The album rose to number 9 on the Billboard Top LPs chart and number 7 on the R&B chart.-History:...
. His involvement with the group ended in 1970 when Eddie left the Rascals
The Rascals
The Rascals were an American blue-eyed soul group initially active during the years 1965–72. The band released numerous top ten singles in North America during the mid- and late-1960s, including the U.S. #1 hits "Good Lovin'" , "Groovin'" , and "People Got to Be Free"...
.
In 1972, Brigati helped arrange background vocals (and was one of the background vocalists) on King Harvest
King Harvest
King Harvest was a 1970s American rock band, best known for their 1973 hit single, "Dancing in the Moonlight".-Background:Formed by a group of four American expatriates in Paris in 1970, King Harvest was best known for its one US hit single, "Dancing In The Moonlight," which was released in 1972...
's "Dancing in the Moonlight
Dancing in the Moonlight
"Dancing In The Moonlight" is the title song on the 1973 King Harvest album. The track was released as a single in 1972 and it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. They released other singles but these were never able to match the success of "Dancing in the Moonlight"...
". Brigati also provided background vocals on the Average White Band's Soul Searching
Soul Searching (Average White Band album)
-Track listing:#Overture 2:14 #Love Your Life 4:49 #I'm The One 4:18 #A Love Of Your Own 5:28 #Queen Of My Soul 6:05 #Soul Searching 3:15 #Goin' Home 4:36 #Everybody's Darling 3:31 #Would You Stay 5:33 #Sunny Days 3:14...
album in 1976. That same year, David and brother Eddie recorded the album Lost in the Wilderness as 'Brigati'. It included a disco version of the Rascals' hit "Groovin'
Groovin'
"Groovin" is a single released in 1967 by The Young Rascals that became a number-one hit and one of the group's signature songs.Written by group members Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and with a lead vocal from Cavaliere, it is indeed a slow, relaxed groove, based on Cavaliere's newfound...
". He also sang with Eddie at the Beacon Theater The New York Rock and Soul Revue: Live at the Beacon
The New York Rock and Soul Revue: Live at the Beacon
The New York Rock and Soul Revue: Live at the Beacon documented the efforts of the New York Rock and Soul Revue. It was recorded on March 1 and 2, 1991 at the Beacon Theater in New York City, a favorite venue of organizer Donald Fagen. The performances featured Fagen and included Phoebe Snow,...
in 1992. Their rendition of "Groovin'
Groovin'
"Groovin" is a single released in 1967 by The Young Rascals that became a number-one hit and one of the group's signature songs.Written by group members Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and with a lead vocal from Cavaliere, it is indeed a slow, relaxed groove, based on Cavaliere's newfound...
" is included on the compilation recording.
When the Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
in 1997 at Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, David performed with the four original members of the group.
Years later, David appeared with the Rascals when they reunited again, this time on April 24, 2010 to perform at the acclaimed Tribeca Grill in New York City, in a show arranged by Gene Cornish
Gene Cornish
Gene Cornish is an American guitarist and harmonica player. He is an original member of the popular 1960s blue-eyed soul band the Rascals. From 1965–70, the band recorded eight albums and had thirteen singles that reached Billboard's Top 40 chart...
. Verified via an On-Air Interview with WGHT Radio's Morning Show Host Jimmy Howes
Jimmy Howes
Jimmy Howes is a radio disc jockey and talk show host, stand-up comic. New York City On-Air Radio Host under dozens of different synonyms. Morning Show Host on Jukebox Radio, New York City, Mid-Day host with WVNJ, Program Director and a morning show host of WGHT...
during an on-air interview. The Rascals reunion included Gene Cornish
Gene Cornish
Gene Cornish is an American guitarist and harmonica player. He is an original member of the popular 1960s blue-eyed soul band the Rascals. From 1965–70, the band recorded eight albums and had thirteen singles that reached Billboard's Top 40 chart...
, Dino Danelli
Dino Danelli
Dino Danelli is best known as an original member and the drummer in the rock group, The Rascals. He has been called "one of the great unappreciated rock drummers in history."...
, Eddie Brigati
Eddie Brigati
Eddie Brigati is an American singer and songwriter.Most memorably, Brigati shared vocals, and played tambourine, in the pop group The Young Rascals from 1965 to 1970...
and with Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer, CM is a Canadian musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian, and composer who has been David Letterman's sidekick since 1982.-Early years:...
on key boards. Eddie sang lead on his regular songs such as How Can I Be Sure
How Can I Be Sure
"How Can I Be Sure" is a popular song. Written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, it was originally recorded by The Young Rascals on their 1967 album Groovin and became their fourth Top 10 hit in the United States, peaking at #4....
and David Brigati sang co-lead with Eddie on the songs Felix Cavaliere
Felix Cavaliere
Felix Cavaliere is an American songwriter, singer, music producer, and musician.Although he was a member of Joey Dee and His Starlighters best known for their hit "Peppermint Twist", he is best known for his association with The Young Rascals during the 1960s. The other members of The Rascals...
originally sang. Reviews were spectacular and other shows are in the planning stage now when the time can be arranged.
Present Day
Today, David has reunited with Joey Dee and they along with Frankie ValliFrankie Valli
Frankie Valli is an American musician, most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well-known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice...
's brother Bobby perform as Joey Dee and the Starliters
Joey Dee and the Starliters
Joey Dee and The Starliters is an American popular music team. Best known for their successful million-selling recording "Peppermint Twist" , the group was initiated by Joey Dee.-Early singles:...
. They have made several appearances together thru 2010.