MARK WEISS
Eddie Brigati with Steven Van Zandt at the Two River Theater in Red Bank, Aug. 9.
The Rockit Live Foundation, which teaches young musicians about rock at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, held its annual gala at the Two River Theater in Red Bank, Aug. 9. The Basie and Steven and Maureen Van Zandt (members of Rockit’s Artist Advisory Board) co-sponsored the event, and Eddie Brigati of The Rascals was honored, so, as many expected, Brigati and Steven Van Zandt performed some numbers together, before the night was through.
You can watch videos of “People Got to Be Free” and a truly uplifting “Good Lovin’ ” (two of the Rascals’ biggest hits) below. Other performers included guitarist (Ricky Byrd) best known as a former member of Joan Jett’s Blackhearts and Rockit students. Thanks to Rob Barnett and the Rockit Live Foundation for posting the videos!
The Rascals, of course, were a huge influence on Van Zandt, as well as on Bruce Springsteen. Van Zandt gave the induction speech when they entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, and he wrote, co-directed (with Marc Brickman) and co-produced (with Maureen Van Zandt and others) the reunion show “The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream,” which ran on Broadway in 2013.
The Van Zandts are also co-producing shows by Brigati, titled “After the Rascals,” monthly at the Cutting Room in New York. The next one takes place Sept. 6; for information or tickets, visit thecuttingroomnyc.com.
Here are the videos:
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